Gumpert
Gumpert: A Legacy of High-Performance Engineering
Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur was a German sports car manufacturer founded in 2004 by Roland Gumpert, a former director of Audi Sport. The company was known for producing high-performance sports cars that combined race-ready capabilities with street-legal functionality.
Gumpert: A Legacy of High-Performance Engineering
Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur was a German sports car manufacturer founded in 2004 by Roland Gumpert, a former director of Audi Sport. The company was known for producing high-performance sports cars that combined race-ready capabilities with street-legal functionality.
Early Beginnings and the Apollo
Roland Gumpert, after returning to Germany from China in 2001, proposed the idea of a new generation of sports cars. With the support of Audi, he founded Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur in 2004. The company's first and most iconic model, the Gumpert Apollo, was designed with the help of the Technical University of Munich and the Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences. The Apollo was a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car that featured a lightweight construction and a powerful twin-turbocharged Audi V8 engine2.
Achievements and Innovations
The Gumpert Apollo quickly gained recognition for its exceptional performance. In 2008, the Apollo Sport set a lap record on the UK automotive show Top Gear, beating the Bugatti Veyron and the Pagani Zonda around the test track. The Apollo was praised for its speed, handling, and engineering excellence, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts and reviewers.
Financial Challenges and Rebranding
Despite its success, Gumpert faced financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy in 2013. The company was later rebranded as Apollo Automobil in 2016 under the ownership of Apollo Future Mobility Group (AFMG). The rebranded company continued to produce high-performance sports cars, including the Apollo Intensa Emozione, which carried forward the legacy of the original Gumpert Apollo.
Official Website
For more information about Gumpert and its current projects under the Apollo brand, you can visit the official Roland Gumpert website. https://www.rolandgumpert.com/en/
Gumpert's journey from its inception to becoming a symbol of high-performance engineering showcases its dedication to innovation and excellence. The brand's impact on the automotive industry remains significant, and its vehicles continue to be celebrated by enthusiasts around the world.