Gumpert
Encyclopedia
Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur GmbH is a German
, Altenburg
-based company manufacturing supercars. The first model produced was the Gumpert Apollo
, followed by the Apollo Sport in 2007. Gumpert also offer the Apollo Race. The founder and owner of Gumpert is Roland Gumpert, former Director of Audi
Sport. Under his management, Audi
won a total of 25 World Rally Championship
races and 4 World Rally Championship
titles.
. One of the first concerns of this car was that it be a street-legal car, ready for the race track. Gumpert returned to Germany
at the end of 2001, after more than three years in China
. There he was the head of sales and marketing, responsible for the development of the dealer network of the Audi
-VW joint enterprise. Just after he returned to Germany
, Roland Meyer asked him if he would assist him in building a prototype sports car. Audi
approved Gumpert's involvement in this project, on the condition that, if they did eventually develop a new sports car, it would not be a prototype
, but a series product.
The company was founded in 2004 under the name GMG Sportwagenmanufaktur
Altenburg GmbH. The technical guidelines were defined and the first designs of the car were drawn by Marco Vanetta. Upon Vanetta's completion of this process, the first 1:4 scale model
of Gumpert's car was produced in 2002.
Gumpert continued with the development of the Apollo, along with the Technical University of Munich
and the Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences. They have assisted with the construction work
, computer simulations
, and wind tunnel tests
. This research and development helped forming the blueprint for the first 1:1 scale model. Finally two prototype apollos were constructed. The production of the apollo started in October 2005.
On July 27, 2008 an Apollo Sport was featured on the UK show Top Gear
. Richard Hammond
and The Stig
drove the Apollo Sport. With a lap time of 1.17.1, the Apollo Sport became the new leader on the Power Lap Board, 0.2 seconds faster than the former lap leader, the Ascari A10
. The Apollo was faster than Bugatti Veyron
and Pagani Zonda
around the Top Gear track. The Ferrari FXX
, later broke Apollo's record with a lap time of 1.10.1. However, the time was not kept due to the FXX's slick tires, which are not allowed under Top Gear rules (as all cars on the board must be legal for street use).
an, Middle Eastern and U.S. markets. Gumpert also plans to export the Apollo to Australia
, the Asia
n region and Russia
.
Since October 2005, a total of 45 employees, both from the production and administration departments, have produced and delivered the first cars. For 2009, an annual production of 30 cars is planned. The base price for the Apollo, with its 4.2 Liter V8 engine with bi-turbo delivering 650 hp is €301,600 excluding VAT. The Apollo sport is available at an extra €77,910, and the Apollo race at €125,320 more. The waiting list is approximately four to five months.
During April 2005 the Apollo made its racing debut in the Divinol Cup. This Apollo was driven by the Belgian race driver Ruben Maes. Maes finished third on the Hockenheimring
race track. Three years later Gumpert announced that they would enter a hybrid electric
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 630 hp, powered with a 3.3 litre V8 bi-turbo engine coupled with a 100 kW electric motor. The car has the ability to recharge the battery under braking.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Altenburg
Altenburg
Altenburg is a town in the German federal state of Thuringia, 45 km south of Leipzig. It is the capital of the Altenburger Land district.-Geography:...
-based company manufacturing supercars. The first model produced was the Gumpert Apollo
Gumpert Apollo
The Gumpert Apollo is a sports car produced by German automaker Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur GmbH in Altenburg.-History:In 2000 Roland Gumpert proposed a new generation sports car. One of the first concerns of this car was that it would be a street-legal car, ready for the race track. Gumpert...
, followed by the Apollo Sport in 2007. Gumpert also offer the Apollo Race. The founder and owner of Gumpert is Roland Gumpert, former Director of Audi
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
Sport. Under his management, Audi
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
won a total of 25 World Rally Championship
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
races and 4 World Rally Championship
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
titles.
History
In 2001 Roland Gumpert proposed a new generation sports carSports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
. One of the first concerns of this car was that it be a street-legal car, ready for the race track. Gumpert returned to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
at the end of 2001, after more than three years in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. There he was the head of sales and marketing, responsible for the development of the dealer network of the Audi
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
-VW joint enterprise. Just after he returned to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Roland Meyer asked him if he would assist him in building a prototype sports car. Audi
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
approved Gumpert's involvement in this project, on the condition that, if they did eventually develop a new sports car, it would not be a prototype
Prototype
A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
, but a series product.
The company was founded in 2004 under the name GMG Sportwagenmanufaktur
Altenburg GmbH. The technical guidelines were defined and the first designs of the car were drawn by Marco Vanetta. Upon Vanetta's completion of this process, the first 1:4 scale model
Scale model
A scale model is a physical model, a representation or copy of an object that is larger or smaller than the actual size of the object, which seeks to maintain the relative proportions of the physical size of the original object. Very often the scale model is used as a guide to making the object in...
of Gumpert's car was produced in 2002.
Gumpert continued with the development of the Apollo, along with the Technical University of Munich
Technical University of Munich
The Technische Universität München is a research university with campuses in Munich, Garching, and Weihenstephan...
and the Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences. They have assisted with the construction work
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
, computer simulations
Simulation
Simulation is the imitation of some real thing available, state of affairs, or process. The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics or behaviours of a selected physical or abstract system....
, and wind tunnel tests
Wind tunnel
A wind tunnel is a research tool used in aerodynamic research to study the effects of air moving past solid objects.-Theory of operation:Wind tunnels were first proposed as a means of studying vehicles in free flight...
. This research and development helped forming the blueprint for the first 1:1 scale model. Finally two prototype apollos were constructed. The production of the apollo started in October 2005.
On July 27, 2008 an Apollo Sport was featured on the UK show Top Gear
Top Gear (current format)
Top Gear is a British television series about motor vehicles, primarily cars. It began in 1977 as a conventional motoring magazine show. Over time, and especially since a relaunch in 2002, it has developed a quirky, humorous style...
. Richard Hammond
Richard Hammond
Richard Mark Hammond is an English broadcaster, writer, and journalist most noted for co-hosting car programme Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson and James May, as well as presenting Brainiac: Science Abuse on Sky 1.-Early life:...
and The Stig
The Stig
The Stig is a character in the British motoring television show Top Gear. The character plays on the anonymity of racing drivers' full-face helmets, with the running joke that nobody knows who, or indeed what, is inside the character's racing suit. The character was the creation of presenter Jeremy...
drove the Apollo Sport. With a lap time of 1.17.1, the Apollo Sport became the new leader on the Power Lap Board, 0.2 seconds faster than the former lap leader, the Ascari A10
Ascari A10
The Ascari A10 is an automobile produced by the British company Ascari Cars that was conceived by Dutch millionaire Klaas Zwart. It is a road-going evolution of the KZ1-R GT race car currently contesting the Spanish GT Championship, with both cars penned by ex-Formula One designer Paul Brown...
. The Apollo was faster than Bugatti Veyron
Bugatti Veyron
The Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 is a mid-engined grand touring car. The Super Sport version is the fastest road-legal production car in the world, with a top speed of . The original version has a top speed of...
and Pagani Zonda
Pagani Zonda
The Pagani Zonda is a sports car built by the Italian manufacturer Pagani. It debuted in 1999, and production ended in 2011. As of June 2009, 206 Zondas had been built, including test mules. Both 2-seat coupe and convertible versions have been produced. Construction is mainly of carbon...
around the Top Gear track. The Ferrari FXX
Ferrari FXX
The Ferrari FXX is a high performance race car built by automobile manufacturer Ferrari in Maranello, Italy. The FXX is based on the street-legal Enzo. Production of the FXX began in 2005.- Overview :...
, later broke Apollo's record with a lap time of 1.10.1. However, the time was not kept due to the FXX's slick tires, which are not allowed under Top Gear rules (as all cars on the board must be legal for street use).
Development partners
Gumpert collaborated with several business and technical partners, including the following major partners.- Apollo Germany Limited (paints and repairs)
- ATS Group (development and production of wheels)
- BFFT (automotive electronics)
- Bosch Group (automobile components and systems, including ABSAnti-lock braking systemAn anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
/TCSTraction control systemA traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
systems) - Eibach (sports chassisChassisA chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
development) - HS Genion (automotive engineeringAutomotive engineeringModern automotive engineering, along with aerospace engineering and marine engineering, is a branch of vehicle engineering, incorporating elements of mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and safety engineering as applied to the design, manufacture and operation of motorcycles, automobiles,...
) - KBF Kabelbaumfertigung (the Apollo’s cabling, measuring 4.2 km)
- KW Automotive (sport suspensionSuspension (vehicle)Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
systems) - Mero TSK (MengeringhausenMengeringhausenMengeringhausen is a village and a municipal district of Bad Arolsen in Waldeck-Frankenberg, in Hesse, Germany. Its population is estimated at 3,800.First time mentioned as a town 'Stadt Mengeringhausen' in 1234...
tube system) - Pirelli (road and racing tyres)
- TRW (active and passiveActive safetyIn engineering, active safety systems are systems activated in response to a safety problem or abnormal event. Such systems may be activated by a human operator, automatically by a computer driven system, or even mechanically...
vehicle safety systemsAutomobile safetyAutomobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of automobile accidents. Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of...
) - Technical University of Munich (virtual prototypingPrototypeA prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
, vibration technology and driver-vehicle interaction) - WIDOS (Welding plasticPlastic weldingPlastic welding or heat sealing is the process of welding plastic workpieces together. It is a very common process for joining plastics.-Hot gas welding:...
tubing and moulded parts) - Contrust (Optimize risk managementRisk managementRisk management is the identification, assessment, and prioritization of risks followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability and/or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities...
) - Evolution MotorSports (USA development partner and distribution)
Availability
The Gumpert Apollo, Apollo Sport and the Apollo Race are currently only available in the EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an, Middle Eastern and U.S. markets. Gumpert also plans to export the Apollo to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, the Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
n region and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
Since October 2005, a total of 45 employees, both from the production and administration departments, have produced and delivered the first cars. For 2009, an annual production of 30 cars is planned. The base price for the Apollo, with its 4.2 Liter V8 engine with bi-turbo delivering 650 hp is €301,600 excluding VAT. The Apollo sport is available at an extra €77,910, and the Apollo race at €125,320 more. The waiting list is approximately four to five months.
Motorsport
Hockenheimring
The Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg is an automobile racing track situated near the town of Hockenheim in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, located on Bertha Benz Memorial Route. Amongst other motor racing events, it biennially hosts the Formula One German Grand Prix...
race track. Three years later Gumpert announced that they would enter a hybrid electric
Hybrid electric vehicle
A hybrid electric vehicle is a type of hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle which combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional...
version of the Apollo in the 2008 24 Hours Nürburgring
24 Hours Nürburgring
The 24 Hours Nürburgring is a touring car and GT endurance racing event on the Nürburgring Nordschleife . With a lap length of over , it allows the participation of more than 200 cars, and over 700 drivers.-Overview:...
, driven by 2004 winner Dirk Müller and ex Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
Racer Heinz-Harald Frentzen
Heinz-Harald Frentzen
Heinz-Harald Frentzen is a German racing driver most famous for his career in Formula One. At various times driving for Williams, Jordan, Sauber, Prost, and Arrows, he achieved three race wins before his retirement from F1 in 2003.-Early career:He was born in the West German city of...
. Three months passed between the first discussions and the finished hybrid Apollo. The Apollo was driven in the 24 Hours Nürburgring
24 Hours Nürburgring
The 24 Hours Nürburgring is a touring car and GT endurance racing event on the Nürburgring Nordschleife . With a lap length of over , it allows the participation of more than 200 cars, and over 700 drivers.-Overview:...
in May 2008. The hybrid Apollo can deliver up to 630 hp, powered with a 3.3 litre V8 bi-turbo engine coupled with a 100 kW electric motor. The car has the ability to recharge the battery under braking.