Gumpert Apollo (2005)

Introduction:
The Gumpert Apollo is a sports car produced by German automaker Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur GmbH in Altenburg.

Motorsport:
During April 2005 the Apollo made its racing debut in the Divinol Cup. This Apollo was driven by Belgian race driver Ruben Maes, he finished third on the Hockenheimring race track. Three years later Gumpert announced that they would enter a hybrid version of the Apollo in the 2008 24 Hours Nürburgring, driven by 2004 winner Dirk Müller and ex-Formula One racer Heinz-Harald Frentzen. Three months passed between the first discussions and the finished hybrid Apollo. The Apollo was driven in the 24 Hours Nürburgring in May 2008. The hybrid Apollo can deliver up to 519 PS (382 kW; 512 hp), powered with a 3.3 litre V8 twin-turbo engine coupled with a 100 kW (136 PS; 134 hp) electric motor. The car has the ability to recharge the battery under braking.
On July 27, 2008 an Apollo Sport was on the car show Top Gear. With a lap time of 1:17.1, the Apollo Sport was for a while the fastest on the power lap board, but has been beaten by the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, the Lamborghini Aventador, the McLaren MP4-12C and Ariel Atom V8.

About the Supercar's Engine:
The Apollo uses a 4163 cc bi-turbo intercooled version of the Audi V8 engine. The 90° V8 has a closed-deck light metal crankcase with dry sump lubrication. The light metal cylinder heads have five valves per cylinder, four overhead camshafts, VarioCam Direct variable valve timing on the intakes, and hydraulic valve clearance compensation. The double-flow exhaust system has four oxygen sensors to monitor the gas mixture, and a 3-way catalytic converter. Modern controls include an on-board diagnostic system, eight-coil electronic ignition, sequential multipoint fuel injection, and an electronic accelerator system.

Design:
The Apollo is 1,100 kg (2,400 lb) to 1,200 kg (2,600 lb), street-legal race car. It is a mid-engined, rear wheel drive two-seater constructed on a tubular chromoly frame, with fiberglass or optional carbon fiber body panels. Gumpert claim the design of the Apollo is optimized so that the car could drive upside-down in a tunnel if driven at sufficiently high speeds (over 190 mph), but this has not been tested.

Price of Gumpert Apollo:

£160,000