Gumpert Apollo

The Apollo is a super sports car that is manufactured by the Gumpert sports car manufacturer in Altenburg. The sports car has dual street legal as well as various racing approvals such as the FIA GT.

History

Development

The project began under the name R1 has in 2002. The concept was to build a race car street legal. In the same year was a 1:4 model based on designs by Marco Vanetta, who developed this design project at the University of Munich with Prof. Dr. Othmar Wickenheiser as thesis, built. Behind the project is the ex - Audi Motorsport boss Roland Gumpert. In 2003, after the establishment of the factory, the first models and sketches were presented to the public. The price per piece was then estimated at 115000-175000 €. The plan was the first of three different engines for the Apollo, a V8 with 279 kW base (360 hp ), a supercharged V8 with 338 kW ( 460 hp ) and a twin-turbo V8 with 478 kW ( 650 hp).

The first prototype was built in Ingolstadt Apollo completed in 2004. In contrast to the large corporations that manufacture the prototype used not only for testing but also for promotional activities in order to make the project known. In a promotional tour with a journalist was killed, the first prototype and was so badly damaged that it had to be rebuilt. Another prototype was completed in the same period. With the red prototype of the Belgian racing driver Ruben Maes went in March 2005 when Divinol Cup at the Hockenheimring immediately ranked third

The pre-production model was presented in 2005. It shows the Apollo largely in its final form. Differences compared to the prototypes were, among others, that this model now had a monocoque, which opened double doors to the middle of the roof and the diffuser and front lip were reduced. The cockpit was indeed already dressed, but prior to starting production, it has been revised comprehensively.

Series production

The official series production start was in Altenburg on 21 December 2005. The production line was designed for about 60 cars per year. The price of Apollos was the start of production € 198,000 excluding taxes. The Apollo can be assembled due to the handcrafted for individual requirements. Since the concept providing that it is a racing car with road permission, was also the basic equipment to save weight, very limited at the beginning. Has been put aside, inter alia, air conditioning and navigation system, but this could be the customer can install on demand. Meanwhile, Apollo has the elements of comfort even in the basic version, but the price also rose to € 301,600 excluding VAT. Despite the individual assembly of the Apollo sports car manufacturer also offers packages. In addition to the basic version, there is a race version. This includes, for example, an air jack and an engine fire extinguishing system. Since 2007 Gumpert also offers a Sport version that fits in between the racing version and the base version. As a test track for the Apollo the runway and the apron of the Leipzig -Altenburg Airport serves. The presentation of the Apollo for journalists and customers usually takes place at the airport.

For 24 -hour race at the Nürburgring in 2008 Heinz -Harald Frentzen, Dirk Müller, Marcel Engels and Dominik Schwager went with Apollo at the start. When engine was newly developed hybrid technology used. In addition to a 3.3 -liter twin-turbo V8 with 382 kW ( 520 hp ) of Apollo still had a 100 - kW electric motor and a traction battery of Gaia Akkumulatorenwerke. However, the vehicle had to fight throughout the race with gearbox problems in conventional combustion segment and was held only by the electric motor in the race. It reached by the installation of two replacement gear while the checkered flag, but did not come into the evaluation.

In 2009, the Gumpert sports manufactory at the Geneva Motor Show the model variant Apollo Speed ​​showed for the first time. In contrast to the other variants, this model is not aligned to fast cornering, but on acceleration and speed. To achieve this, the speed has been reduced by Apollo nine millimeters and improved aerodynamics. Thus, the line around the wheel arches has been changed, there are fixed rim covers front and vernier on the rear wheels, an adjustable rear wing and a clad underbody. Particularly striking in comparison to the other models are the taillights.

2010 was the Apollo a minor facelift on the front and rear end. Thus, the air intakes have been widened and changed the wheel arch. In addition, the Apollo now has LED daytime running lights. The most noticeable change is at the rear of the exhaust with four tailpipes. The interior of the monocoque was increased to allow the driver and passenger more space. The engine with 700 horsepower, which is built mainly in the sports version, got by optimized engine control, new recirculation valves and improved cooling 50 hp more and bring it current to a power of 551 kW.

Body

The non- self-supporting body is built on a tubular frame. This consists of around 200 welded pipes made ​​of chrome- molybdenum steel with pipe diameters of 25, 35 and 45 mm and a wall thickness of the tubes 1-2 mm. Inside the frame is 23- kg light monocoque, which provides more security. These two components can withstand accelerations up to 50 G. The front of the trellis frame is a crash box, which deforms in an accident and takes most of the impact energy. The body is made of either glass or carbon fiber reinforced plastic. According to the sports car manufacturer the body is aerodynamically optimized so that the pressure generated from a speed of 270 km / h, weight correspond, so that the floor effect could support the weight of the car. This means that the Apollo could drive on the ceiling.

Technology

The basic version of Apollo has 478 kW ( 650 hp) with a maximum torque of 850 Nm at 4500 rpm. Furthermore engines with 551 kW ( 750 hp ) or 588 kW ( 800 hp). The power transmission takes place via a sequential 6- speed gearbox. The presented in Geneva at the International Motor Show 2007 sports package (Apollo Sport / Apollo S ) contains the 515 kW ( 700 hp) engine, the rear wing and an air jack ( Airjack ), the 588 kW engine it is in the Apollo Race. The basis of the different engine based on a 4.2- liter V8 engine from Audi, but only the engine block, the inner life was made especially for the Apollo.

The vehicle is equipped with Pirelli tires in size 255/35 on 10 × 19 inch rims (front) and 345/55 on 13 × 19 inch rims (rear ) and Michelin tires in size 265/30 (front) and 345/30 (rear) fitted with 19-inch rims. For the delay, the vehicle has internally ventilated, slotted brake discs with a diameter of 380 mm and 6 - piston fixed calipers in conjunction with ABS.

2012 Apollo R was introduced, a pure racing car with up to 633 kW. The special edition Apollo enraged, however, is limited to only three pieces, making 574 kW, making it the most powerful street -legal Apollo, who was ever produced.

Records

On August 13, 2009, the Apollo presented on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring with 7:11,57 minutes a lap record for street-legal vehicles.

The Apollo S also held with 1:17,1 minutes the lap record on the home track of the British automotive magazine Top Gear, until it was broken by the Bugatti Veyron SS.

Vehicle data

¹ depending on country specification, aero package and gear ratio ² due to translation Dog Ring Transmission ³ due racetrack gear ratio

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