Ultimate sports car

IT may not be an F1 car but the Gumpert Apollo, one of only 40 in the world, will have racers and motor enthusiasts alike drooling.

The Gumpert Apollo 2008 is the ultimate sports car and the only one in the Middle East is on display at the Montana Motors showroom in Riffa.

It looks magnificent and the Gumpert Apollo is the kind of a car which draws you to it whether you are interested or not.

The design of this car is such that it makes you wonder whether it's real or just an item from a James Bond movie set.

Made by Gumpert Sportwagenmanfaktur, Germany, only 40 models have been produced and the price ranges between BD190,000 and BD250,000 depending on the options and features chosen.

The car promises to exceed all expectations offering both motoring passion and maximum driving fun. Its 650HP engine produces a top speed of 360km/h and acceleration of 0 to 100km/h in just 3.0 seconds making it the ultimate full-blooded super sports car.

Founder, managing director and the driving force behind Sportswagenmanfaktur, Roland Gumpert has created a manufacturing environment that combines engineering excellence with a broad automotive and racing competence.

Experts within the motor sport scene are familiar with the name Gumpert. In the mid-1970s, the long-standing Audi manager was the driving force behind the development of the four-wheel Iltis, the original predecessor of today's Quattro.

In 1979 he not only succeeded in preparing the gnarled four-wheel drive Iltis for the Paris-Dakar rally, but also achieved victory.

In the years that followed under his management, Audi Sport won a total of 25 World Rally titles.

A team of automotive and motor sport specialists joined forces to pool their enthusiasm and energy into developing and creating the Gumpert Apollo. Their abilities create the space for the finest workmanship and utmost individuality, with the use of high-tech processes and integration of proven standard components securing the technical basis.

The manufacturer wanted to achieve the perfect synthesis of design and function, without compromising. And Gumpert has succeeded with the Apollo.

Its dynamic profile appearance is further enhanced by its dimensions (4.46m length, almost 2m width and 1.24m height) and its streamlined, long and wide shoulder lines.

The mid-engine layout is emphasised by the cockpit, which is clearly located towards the front of the vehicle and the long wheel base; both factors ensure optimum driving conditions.