In 2001 there was a vision of a new super sports car: A car, which combined the highest dynamics 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 3 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 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.
