This number is an eleven-second improvement over the the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR and Corvette ZR1 times, and a full 15 seconds over the Nissan GT-R VSpec time.

This feat was accomplished with the help of the Gumpert's 700 HP Audi turbo V8 and one skilled driver (26-year-old Florian Gruber) last week. The Apollo Sport hasn't officially been released, but with a lap time like this and a top speed of 224 MPH we imagine they won't have a hard time finding buyers. (Hat tip to YellowDucati for the tip!)

Update: Technically, the Hayabusa-powered Radical SR8 is the fastest production, road-legal car with a time of 6:48. However, the car is truly on the radical end of what you'd consider road-going.

[Sport Auto via World Car Fans]

Join us for a moment as we cannot restrain our quiet face-palm at the notion of a $7,000 key. We're betting high-tech bank vaults don't have keys this expensive. Key sets for nuclear missiles are probably cheaper. What Eng-i-Creation offers for the lobotomized discerning buyer is a hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind key experience, hewn from the finest leathers and embellished with gold and silver. The key fobs feature a folding design (like any VW product from ten years ago) and include such gee-whiz features as integrated vehicle remote control and... um... other stuff? This particular piece was fashioned for a Gumpert Apollo, which tickets in the mid six figures, so a paltry $7,000 for a key is probably cheaper than an oil change and tune-up. [Luxury Launches]

The Gumpert Apollo Speed is a much faster version and is built upon the knowledge learned from the Apollo Race and Apollo Sport models. It's main reason for being is for high speed runs and to hammer out record breaking numbers. We'll believe the claim when we see it, but Gumpert definitely has a leg to stand on because the previous cars have been absolute beasts.

Audi's 4.2 liter V8 remains the power source in the Apollo Speed. In this application the twin-turbocharged mill pumps out 800 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque which will nicely supplement the lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum constructed supercar. Gumpert is claiming that the Speed will accelerate from from 0-60 in 3.0 seconds flat, pass 124 mph in 8.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 223 mph.

The Apollo Speed receives larger wheels and wheel arches, new front splitter, heavily revised rear intakes, a new adjustable rear spoiler, new tail lamps and a unique two-tone paint scheme. We didn't like the Apollo Speed sitting all lonely in the dark, so we lightened things up a bit so you could see what was lurking there.

Press Release:

12.02.2009
world premiere: GUMPERT apollo speed

GUMPERT Sportwagenmanufaktur GmbH will be presenting the apollo speed at the 79th Geneva Motor Show.
Whereas optimum performance for racetracks, lateral acceleration and grip in all situations are the focus of apollo, apollo sport and apollo race, the apollo speed is aimed at an exclusive high speed clientel. Its domain is the mastery of highest speeds. Thanks to polished aerodynamics the drive side values of the speed are far above those of the competition.

Form follows function
A good look from the front reveals the changed design around the wheel arches. A low restrict induction system rounds off the snappy appearance and provides fresh air to the motor. Further modifications have been made to the rear end of this super sports car: The redesigned tail lights concisely show where the apollo is headed to, before it vanishes from the sight of its pursuer. The two-seater also has a small adjustable spoiler to lend it the required drive side for its intoxicating speed.

The racer impresses by its sportive, elegantly equipped interior.
It is available with either leather or alcantara, and provides a whole panoply of details, such as air conditioning and a DVD moniceiver. The removable steering wheel makes it easy to get in. Embedded in the monocoque and held in by 4 point seat belts, the driver becomes one with the apollo. An intense bond!

This year GUMPERT Sportwagenmanufaktur GmbH will be showcasing itself at the Geneva Motor Show for the fourth time. Come and see us in Hall 2, booth D 2045, and get to know our "newcomer". You can also look forward to a 700 HP strong apollo sport. We are expecting you.

[via Gumpert]

“Gumpert Partners with Evolution MotorSports for US Market!”
Tempe, AZ - Today Gumpert Sportswagenmanufaktur GmbH and Evolution MotorSports announced Gumpert has selected Evolution MotorSports in Tempe Arizona as their US market final assembly and Performance Validation center for the Gumpert Apollo.

Gumpert has selected Evolution MotorSports due to their understanding the balance between consumers expectation for a car that is competent for the racetrack and the ability to hold the exceptionally high standards that Gumpert will demand for the chassis delivered to the US market. Gumpert feels it is imperative for all US cars to be Performance Validated and comprehensibly checked, all before being delivered to the exclusive United State Dealer, European Touch in Huntington Beach California.

The Gumpert Apollo is a hand made coupe, available in a Street, GT or Race Car Configuration. The Apollo was recently featured on an episode of the UK Automotive show Top Gear where it was celebrated as the fastest around their test track over the last several seasons.

Gumpert representatives have stated that “The selection of Evolution MotorSports was an easy choice. Evolution MotorSports dedication to providing an excellent finished product, attention to detail and customer service have no rival that could come close to providing the finished product required.”

Todd Zuccone, Founder of Evolution MotorSports commented, “All we do are Insanely Tuned Luxury Exotics. We examined the Gumpert Apollo and I knew that EVOMS was the correct choice for Performance Validation. Something Evolution MotorSports customers have known for a long time. We are honored to have been selected by the Gumpert team."

Apollo Has Landed!

Pictured above is the first legal USA Gumpert Apollo departing the Gumpert headquarters in Altenburg, Germany. The Apollo left Germany the last week of August 2008 for a flight bound to Evolution MotorSports in the USA. Rubber on ground is planned after customs clearance before Labor Day!

About Gumpert:

The beginning – from the idea to the first model. In 2001 there was a vision of a new super sports car: A car, which combined the highest aerodynamics with unmatched driving capabilities. A street-legal car, ready for the race track. Last but not least, Mr. Gumpert aspired for the Apollo to offer the best value for money of any vehicle in this exclusive class. Starting from that vision, the technical parameters to be met were defined and the first designs of the car were drawn by Marco Vanetta. At the end of this process the first 1:4 scale model of the car was produced in 2002 – and the Apollo was born. From the first model to pre-production. To successfully develop this first model into a real car is an extensive process requiring significant development experience and technical ‘know-how’. To realize this vision, project management was taken over four years ago by Roland Gumpert. Coming from AUDI, Roland Gumpert has a long and impressive track record in car development and motor sport. During his time as Director of the AUDI Sport Department the Quattros from Ingolstadt won 25 races in the World Rally Championship and 4 World Rally Championship Titles. The GMG Sportwagenmanufaktur Altenburg GmbH was founded and Gumpert pressed ahead with the development of the apollo. In cooperation with the Technical University in Munich and the University of Applied Sciences in Ingolstadt constructional work, computer simulations, and finally wind tunnel tests were carried out. These research and development activities formed the basis for a first 1:1 scale model and finally the first two pre-production apollo. From pre-production to serial production. The first full-scale model of Apollo created a huge interest, both from the public and potential customers. To further develop the brand ‘apollo, GMG Sportwagen Manufaktur Altenburg became, in January 2005, Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur GmbH with Roland Gumpert as Managing Director. The new and striking brand is characterised by the griffin: this mythological creature – half lion, half eagle – is a symbol of strength and speed and not least a symbol of earth and air. View the Gumpert web site: www.gumpert.de

About Evolution MotorSports:

Founded in 1997 by Todd Zuccone, Evolution MotorSports, Inc. has been the premier European aftermarket automobile performance company in the USA. Focusing exclusively on German power plants of Porsche and VW/Audi in the first decade, EVOMS has grown into other European, concept and super cars in the last 5 years.

Evolution MotorSports conceives designs, engineers and track/roads tests proprietary Performance Systems for the following vehicles: Porsche, Lamborghini, Audi, VW, BMW and Mercedes. All EVOMS Performance Systems feature EVOMSit "intelligent tuning," the company’s proprietary engine management software.

EVOMS has an extensive client base that race their vehicles and are extreme motorsports enthusiasts. Vehicle race prep, driver coaching and trackside support are all services available to EVOMS clients.

Company information can be reviewed on the following sites:
Evolution MotorSports - www.EVOMS.com
EVOMSit “intelligent tuning” - www.EVOMSit.com

About European Touch:

Serving Southern California’s exotic and luxury automobile owners since 1998 enabled European Touch to be one of the premier automotive retailers in the US. European Touch franchise selections include Gumpert and YES! authorized dealerships as well as many other of the world's finest pre-owned automobiles such as Lamborghini, Ferrari, Pagani, Rolls Royce, Bentley and many more. www.europeantouchusa.com

Evolution MototrSports is delighted to have StreetFire.net partnering in covering the Gumpert and EVOMS partnership VIP event on Sep 5th and 6th. StreetFire.net is the biggest automotive video site in the world. Car videos for car lovers. Footage of this event will be available on www.streetfire.net

All right, I didn't just find it. This Apollo was brought into the country by Mr Mota, the gentleman you see above. He deals in European exotics, but this one's not for sale; it's going to be driving in the Gumball 3000, which starts in San Francisco this Saturday (hence all the stickers). One of his business partners was on the SSPP22 Volvo 780 Bertone team that pitted next to the Black Metal V8olvo at the 24 Hours of LeMons SF a couple months back, and that connection led to a Gumpert photo session on the island.


That's an Audi 4.2 V8, like the one in the RS4, R8, and S5, only with twin turbochargers and about double the horsepower. Oh, it sounds mighty good!


I asked what it was like to drive in city traffic, and the answer was a sort of pained grimace. The seats are not adjustable, the minuscule ground clearance means speed bumps spell certain doom, and the engine's berserk power output isn't well-suited to stop-and-go traffic. But who cares? This thing can likely blow away any other street-legal production car on the planet on a racetrack!


Before we get to the next couple of galleries, let's see The Stig take the Apollo Type S around the Top Gear track and get the best lap time in the history of the show.

On top of this week's star in a reasonably priced car snagging himself a whopper of a run around the track (click here to see where Jay Kay ended up on the board), The Stig whipping the Gumpert Apollo around the same track for a similarly monster run (click here to see where the Gumpert Apollo ended up on the board) and some hot Brit-on-German action with Sabine Schmitz and Tim Schrick, our main man James May had a chance to drive what we now believe to be the ugliest car in all the world. Yes, yes, we know the Mitsuoka Orochi snagged second place rather than the top spot on our list of the top ten ugliest foreign cars currently for sale, but after seeing it on the road in the above segment we think we may need to change our minds.

We fear the Orochi is what happens when you let a sushi chef design a car using his favorite fish as inspiration. The result, as you can see above, is positively revolting. But the ugly isn't just skin deep. It's slow; powered by a six from Toyota with an anemic 230 HP. The ride's apparently soft and rubbish. Predictably, May absolutely loved it. Hold on a moment while we run off to vomit. If you're able to stand it, there's a gallery below. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Well, we knew it'd be out at the Race At Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race, but it looks like it was getting some test time out at the ring a week early. Oh, and did we mention the hybrid Apollo's purportedly rated at 800 HP? Yes, we know it's not the same color as the one we saw in Wired but we're getting independent confirmation — and some better photos — from our good friends at BTG! (Hat tip to James and Michael!) [Mobotix, BTG]

The new motor is a 3.3-liter V8 fitted with twin turbos. Combined with a 100kW electric motor, the car has 630 HP readily available. The juice for the electric motor is charged up by regenerative braking technology. We're not sure what Gumpert's plans are for any possible road version of this setup, but we bet even Al Gore would want one.
[World Car Fans]

The new, Audi-powered Gumpert Apollo — a joint venture between Audi tuning house MTM and former Audi motorsports chief, Roland Gumpert — has entered serial production, The German Car Blog reports. The $200,000+ supercar, powered by a 650hp, twin-turbo variant of Audi's 4.2-liter V8, is touted by its builders as having a 223mph top speed and zero-to-60 times in the threes. The first cars will hit this year, while between 50 and 60 cars will be in the sweaty hands of the world's moneyed in 2006.

Gumpert Apollo: Serial production started! [The German Car Blog]

Related:
Gumpert Apollo Nears Production [internal]