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Spy shots: Modified Gumpert Apollo Speed hits the ‘Ring

Spy shots: Modified Gumpert Apollo Speed hits the ‘Ring

Alex Kaufmann July 1st, 2009 Alex Kaufmann By Alex Kaufmann Author July 1st, 2009
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December 31st, 1969 German sports car manufacturer Gumpert unveiled a faster version of its Apollo supercar back at March’s Geneva Motor Show named the Apollo Speed. Building on previous versions like the Apollo Sport and Apollo Race, the new Speed had been further engineered to tackle high speed runs. Setting apart the Speed from previous Apollo models are bigger wheel arches, a new front splitter and revised air intakes. However, development of the car is far from complete as evidenced by this prototype version spotted testing at the Nurburgring in Germany. The car unveiled at Geneva was only a display model. Production versions come with a special two-tone paint scheme, an adjustable rear spoiler and unique tail lamps. This particular prototype is wearing an oversized fixed wing and a new intake system attached to its roof. Special testing equipment taped onto the vehicle’s body suggest that Gumpert’s engineers are in fact still finetuning the car or possibly working on an updated model. As for the standard Apollo Speed, new features include a carbon-fiber and aluminum sandwich underbody, as well as fixed wheel caps at the front and rotating rears – a similar set-up to that used in F1. Other specs include adjustable dampers, 19in aluminum wheels, and 378mm ventilated brake discs with six-piston calipers. Power comes from an Audi-sourced twin-turbo 4.2L V8 developing up to 800hp (597kW) and 664lb-ft (900Nm) of torque in the range topping model. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a sequential six-speed gearbox, and according to Gumpert the new Speed will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.0 seconds flat, pass 200km/h in 8.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 360km/h.Photo Gallery no. 1Modified Gumpert Apollo speed spy shots
Modified Gumpert Apollo Speed supercar spy shots

Modified Gumpert Apollo Speed supercar spy shots

Enlarge Photo

German sports car manufacturer Gumpert unveiled a faster version of its Apollo supercar back at March’s Geneva Motor Show named the Apollo Speed. Building on previous versions like the Apollo Sport and Apollo Race, the new Speed had been further engineered to tackle high speed runs.

Setting apart the Speed from previous Apollo models are bigger wheel arches, a new front splitter and revised air intakes. However, development of the car is far from complete as evidenced by this prototype version spotted testing at the Nurburgring in Germany. The car unveiled at Geneva was only a display model. Production versions come with a special two-tone paint scheme, an adjustable rear spoiler and unique tail lamps.

This particular prototype is wearing an oversized fixed wing and a new intake system attached to its roof. Special testing equipment taped onto the vehicle’s body suggest that Gumpert’s engineers are in fact still finetuning the car or possibly working on an updated model.

As for the standard Apollo Speed, new features include a carbon-fiber and aluminum sandwich underbody, as well as fixed wheel caps at the front and rotating rears – a similar set-up to that used in F1. Other specs include adjustable dampers, 19in aluminum wheels, and 378mm ventilated brake discs with six-piston calipers.

Power comes from an Audi-sourced twin-turbo 4.2L V8 developing up to 800hp (597kW) and 664lb-ft (900Nm) of torque in the range topping model. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a sequential six-speed gearbox, and according to Gumpert the new Speed will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.0 seconds flat, pass 200km/h in 8.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 360km/h.
Photo Gallery no. 1
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Modified Gumpert Apollo speed spy shots
Gallery
  • gumpert apollo speed spy shots june 008
  • gumpert apollo speed spy shots june 007
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  • gumpert apollo speed spy shots june 002
  • gumpert apollo speed spy shots june 001

Tags: Spy Shots, nurburgring, Supercars, Prototype, Gumpert

Posted in: Spy Shots


Comments (2 total)

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  1. ma_Aiman avatar by Aiman #1, Posted: 7/1/2009

    What’s the point in all these "supper cars"? Why not utilize the brains of these engineers & resources into producing fun cars for a large number of people to enjoy that these beasts that cost in excess of a million dollars that can only be bought by few.

    Large car companies hardly make "fun" cars anymore. So instead of making this (rather ugly) supper car, why can't we have something like MX5 or Camaro alternatives instead?

  2. ma_CarFanaticsUnleashed avatar by CarFanaticsUnleashed #2, Posted: 7/6/2009

    Aiman-

    In case you hadn't noticed there are a number of well engineered and hugely 'fun' cars currently around, and it is in the spirit of 'fun' that supercars are produced. The lunacy, the sheer craziness is enough to make some people smile. Others, maybe some like yourself look down on them as strictly for the wealthy and priveleged, yet the technology to make the everyday car 'fun' is oftentimes the trickle from such supercars and racecars.
    You aptly pointed out two such 'fun' and affordable cars, so why point fingers and accuse supercars of somehow stopping the production of cars like the Mini and the MX-5. You have such alternatives available so why bash supercars? Also, I would agree that the Gumpert is not the prettiest car in the world, but the design is one of the most functional for it's purpose in the world.
    They are not a large company, and this is their specialty, however ugly it may be.
    Maybe a fun affordable car is just what you need, or a test drive of something as clinically insane as a Gumpert, to lighten your cynical view of the supercar and the industry as a whole.

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