Image credits: © Gumpert.
2006 Gumpert Apollo news, pictures, and information | ||
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ABS, Eight-piston calipers, and fifteen-inch disc brakes on all four corners of the vehicle provide excellent stopping power.
Marco Vanetta is credited with creating the first designs of the vehicle. The goal was to create a street-legal car that was suitable for the track but also be economical. By 2002 a 1:4 scale model had been created.
Roland Gumpert, a previous 30-year employee of Audi, had extensive knowledge of automotive and motor-sport development. Under his supervision, the Quattro's captured twenty-five victories in the World Rallye Championship and four World Rallye Championship Titles. With his experience and credentials, he became project manager around 2002 of the Apollo project. He was aided by Uwe-Norbert Bleck, the former director of vehicle dynamics, simulation, wheels and tires at Audi. In collaboration with the Technical University in Munich and the University of Applied Sciences in Ingolstadt, computer simulations, wind tunnel tests, and construction were completed. Around 30 Gumpert employees assembled the first Apollo cars.
The company is located in Altenburg-Thuringia, near the city of Leipzig. The location was chosen due to its skilled craftsman, large quantity of automotive suppliers, and economical surroundings. It is also located near the Sachsenring race track.
The Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur GmbH selected the mythological creature 'griffin' as their corporate symbol. This creature had a body of a lion, a head of an eagle, and symbolizes strength and velocity. It is the symbol that rules the earth and the sky, an appropriate icon to wage battle with the rest of the super-car market.
In mythological arenas, Apollo is the son of Zeus and the god of light. He helps in battle and nominates the winner.
Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur's goal is to homologate the vehicles for various races. In March, the Apollo achieved homologation status for the French-GT Series where it placed third out of forty competitors at Hockenheimring.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2005
Once the son of the god of war Zeus, responsible for the victory and the template for masculine beauty, he is now the namesake of the breathtakingly uncompromising super sports car that combines aesthetics and function like no other.The Gumpert Apollo is the perfect synthesis of a road vehicle and track car. It evokes passion and driving pleasure beyond all expectations. With 650 bhp, 224 mph top speed and acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in just 3 seconds, you would have to go a long way to find an alternative to Apollo. The complete package is available in a cost-benefit ratio that cannot be matched in this exclusive vehicle class. As a pure high-performance sports car wîth racing qualities that is also approved for use on the road, the Gumpert Apollo sets new standards. ( posted on conceptcarz.com)
Roland Gumpert, managing director and the driving force behind the company that builds the car, has created a manufacturing environment that combines engineering excellence wîth wideranging automotive and racing competence. Experts within the are all familliar wîth the name Gumpert. In the mid 1970s, the long-standing Audi manager was the driving force behind the development of the vehicle 'Iltis', the original predecessor of today's 'Quattro'. In the years undere his management, Audi won a total of 25 World Rally Championship races and was the 4-time winner of the World Rally Championship.
An Exceptional Design
The silhouette of the Gumpert Apollo, which has been optimized upon numerous times after tests in the wind tunnel, reflects its above-average performance capability. In its profile, the Apollo's dynamic appearance is further enhanced by its dimensions and its streamlined, long and wide shoulder lines. The mid-engine layout is emphasized by the cockpit, which is clearly situated toward the front of the vehicle, and the long wheel base; both factors ensuring optimum driving qualities. Massive air inlets and outlets in the front, and on the side in front of and behind the doors, leave no doubt about its potency. They supply the two turbochargers and the high-performance braking system wîth enough fresh air to ensure that the car maintains optimum operation for the duration of the race.Driving Dynamics Redefined
The Gumpert Apollo's suspension was developed to ideally complement the clever aerodynamics of the car body, resulting in unusual driving dynamics. The Apollo is taut but not hard and offers the driver and passenger an extraordinary high level of comfort despite being purely designed for performance. It demands the complete attention of the pilot but does not overwhelm him thanks to its ultra-precise and predictable driving characteristics even at top speed. An ideal weight balance of 42 to 58 percent between the front and rear axis rounds it off.Proven Performance in a New Dimension
The impressive power of the high-performance eight cylinder engine is based on the proven V8 aggregates from Audi. This engine in standard configuration is optimized for use in racing and road vehicles and produces 650 bhp as a biturbo engine. With a weight of only 430 lbs, it plays a major role in ensuring the Apollo has an ideal weight and its fascinating driving dynamics.Via the two exhaust gas turbochargers, the combustion chambers are force-fed fresh air that has previously been cooled to the ideal temperature in large intercoolers.
The sequential six-speed transmission, that incorporates Formula 1 know-how, guarantees the efficient implementation of the energy generated.
Purism and Luxury in the Interior
Low weight was the top priority and has been achieved by using high-tech materials. For instance both the monocoque and the integrated instrument panel are made of carbon-fiber.
The seat position is individually set for every customer wîth padding, upholstery, adjustable pedals, and the §teering column. The Gumpert Apollo is a made-to-measure sports car and in line wîth this principle, customers can design the interior to meet their preferences, be it pure performance or somewhat more luxurious.
The air conditioning system guarantees the perfect interior temperature while traveling. The high-end navigation system wîth DVD-player and sound system helps you get from A to B and delivers in-car-entertainment. The backward facing camera integral to the system helps the driver when reversing or, as Gumpert says, simply shows him how quickly the overtaken cars disappear from view.
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