German sports car manufacturer Gumpert took two surprises to the Geneva Motor Show today. One is a race-only apollo with 860 bhp and a kerb weight of just 1,100 kg (2,425 lb). The other is a road-going car with 780 bhp weighing 1,175 kg (2,590 lb) named the apollo enraged.
The Gumpert apollo r is a purebred race car. Though Gumpert's customers already tend to take their cars to track days and club events, the aim of the apollo r is to enable customers to participate in open GT events.
Not surprisingly, the amount of effort required to extract to 860 bhp from the Audi 4.2 liter V8 engine was immense, including higher supercharging pressure, ignition and control time adjustments, optimization of the intake air ducts and a special racing exhaust system.
As Gumperts more frequently find themselves in the wealthy Arab states, and throughout Asia, where temperatures are far greater than in Europe, the engine and transmission cooling system have also been enhanced. The spur-toothed dog ring transmission is controlled by rocker switches on the steering wheel but does not have a clutch pedal.
Don't expect much in the way of creature comforts in the apollo r - it doesn't have any. Everything that isn't involved in going fast in the apollo r has been removed - everything!
Gumpert apollo enraged
The apollo enraged is the street-legal version of the apollo r with a slightly lower spec 780 bhp motor and an extra 75 kg (165 lb) of the aforementioned creature comforts. The digital LCD instrument panel is the most noticeable special feature on the interior.
Gumpert will take both cars to the Nurburgring "Nordschleife" this year in an attempt to continue its tradition of breaking the lap record on the legendary course.
