Regardless of gas prices or the economy, high-buck, low-volume exotics are almost impervious to negative sales influences. For each success, others are inspired to raise the bar. Some attain exclusivity based on merit. Others are branded as such by attrition.
Roland Gumpert wants to turn the exotic car market upside down -- or at least drive his own car that way. While we weren’t allowed to try it firsthand, Gumpert claims this is aerodynamically possible in his Apollo. Formerly with Audi, Gumpert developed the predecessor to modern Quattro all-wheel drive systems. Ex-Audi engineer Uwe Bleck is also aboard the Apollo mission, and the car just happens to be powered by a V8 from… go figure, Audi.
For our challenger, it may be the only time a slow plane resulted in a fast car. In 1988, as Creighton Brown, Ron Dennis, Gordon Murrary, and Mansour Ojjeh waited on a delayed flight, the McLaren F1 concept took off. In 1993, the first production model hit the road and rocked the supercar world. Proving the F1 was more than just a pretty face, race-prepped versions won four of the top five places in their 1995 Le Mans debut. A few months before production ended in 1998, an F1 clocked 240.1 miles per hour, setting a production car speed record that stood until 2005.
Gumpert aspires to reach production of 100 Apollos per year. McLaren only built a total of 100 F1s. Both cars hustle, but does the Apollo have a big enough chip on its shoulder to knock off the iconic F1 as an exotic among exotics? We’ve rated each in key categories, with a total possible score of 100. Read on and discover how they match up.
Gumpert Apollo
MSRP: (Base, estimated): $264,000Engine: 4.2-liter, twin-turbo, QOHC, 40-valve V8
Horsepower: 650bhp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 627ft.-lbs. @ 4,500rpm
Performance – 19/20
Feel the need for Gs? Blatant flattening of the accelerator will shoot the Apollo from 0 to 62mph in 3.0 seconds. At 429 pounds, it’s understood the Audi-based twin-turbo V8 is a lightweight only on the scales, with quad overhead cams and five valves per cylinder. Gumpert hates to see customers moping about limitations, so they offer aerodynamic and engine tweaks (up to 800 horsepower), allowing for 224-mph top speed. The six-speed sequential transmission delivers precise changes and is directed via a tall, console-mounted shifter that’s only a nudge away from the thick wheel. Braking, suspension and traction control are all adjustable. Owners can optimize settings for the track then relax them for the drive home -- that is, provided they haven’t shredded the 19-inch Pirelli PZero tires.Exterior design – 18/20
If exotics have a shortcoming, their designs too frequently look smarmy. Thankfully, the Apollo offers style. There are only so many ways a mid-engine car can be penned, but Gumpert’s fiberglass or carbon fiber skin (it’s your choice) is a pleasing mix of curves and sharp, taut lines. An underbody diffuser creates massive downforce, which contributes heavily to the Apollo’s upside-down capabilities. An F1-like engine air intake even peers above the roofline.Interior design – 5/10
Open the gullwing doors and you’ll see that the Gumpert literally tailors the Apollo’s cozy interior to each owner. A four-point harness holds you and a friend secure in your seats, which is somewhat of a relative term. They’re actually form-fitted, padded leather bolsters over the carbon fiber monocoque. That sounds tortuous, and though they aren’t La-Z-Boys, they feel better than you might think. A host of options are available to emphasize performance, luxury or a blend of both. In theory, it sounds great. In its execution, the interior is a bit disappointing. It doesn’t look or feel true to its German roots, nor does it befit a quarter-million-dollar car, even as a purist’s sports car. Gumpert acknowledges this is an area for improvement, and we’ve already noticed tidier cockpits in present examples.Sound system/goodies – 5/10
The optional navigation system is logical, but it’s a little puzzling why such a car needs an optional DVD player (the monitor can also display the goings-on picked up by the rear camera, though). Rapidly approaching landscape should be more than enough entertainment for the passenger. The sound system is nothing revolutionary, but if you need a thousand watts of surround sound in an unabashed sports car like the Apollo, you’re missing the point. The HVAC controls are on the small side, posing a challenge to successfully fiddle with them.Thankfully, at least the pedals are easy to adjust -- a useful touch in a car designed to segue between street and track.Bang for the buck – 17/20
Disappointing interior notwithstanding, the Gumpert Apollo is a stunning ride, especially for the money. Performance figures are within whiskers of hot-steppers like our comparison car, the McLaren F1. In other words, it’s faster than just about anything on four wheels. It also looks the part with aggressive lines that aren’t there just for show. Keep admirers away from the interior, and most will wholeheartedly commend your choice of supercar.Driving experience – 18/20
Purists will have no problem accepting the Apollo. Its minimalist, rough-edge feel is in sharp contrast to other modern exotics’ calm demeanor at speed. That’s not to suggest the Apollo feels sloppy, quite the contrary: It just extends the race car experience beyond the track like hard-core exotics used to.Overall score – 82/100
The Gumpert Apollo has the style and performance to become enthusiasts’ most-coveted, provided those enthusiasts don’t expect to be treated with kid gloves. With twin-turbo Audi power and serious capabilities to flaunt, it’s just the car for guys who aspire to harness million-dollar performance but can’t (or won’t) hand over the price of admission.McLaren F1
Current average price: $1.25 millionEngine: 6.0-liter, DOHC, 48-valve V12
Horsepower: 618bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 480ft.-lbs. @ 5,600rpm
Performance – 20/20
Considering the bloodline, nobody ever doubted the F1 would be a slouch. 0-to-60 capability of 3.2 seconds and a top end of 240mph confirmed the car was worthy of its name. Thrust is courtesy of the mid-mounted, BMW-sourced V12 and controlled by a six-speed manual (yes, fully manual) transmission. The 17-inch wheels seem like nothing big compared to new cars, but at low speed they feel plenty big thanks to the F1’s unassisted steering. While it may build your biceps at a crawl, it feels perfect at triple-digit speeds and offers great feedback.You can’t abandon your wits, but exploring the F1’s potential isn’t exactly rocket science either. Credit such innovations as intelligent brake cooling plus manual and automatic aerodynamic adjustments.
Exterior design – 19/20
The debate of the perfect car design has probably existed nearly as long as there have been cars, and some stunning contenders have come along the way. The F1 deserves mention as one of them, at least among modern sports cars. Designed not to be the last word in exotics but rather as the ultimate driver’s car, the look is purposeful yet functional. Free of bothersome wings and scoops, the F1 has a clean look that could still pass as a new car today.Interior design – 9/10
Is it proper for such a fierce performer to have so welcoming a cabin? It works for the F1, anyway. Open the scissor-action door and climb aboard… from either side.The driver’s seat is in the center. And since some of life’s great experiences involve three participants, three is the magic number for seats in the F1 with the driver front and center, and the passengers to either side and slightly behind. Not surprisingly, it takes a little time to accustom oneself to this layout, and it can be frustrating not being able to peek around the car ahead of you in traffic. On the track or open road, however, it’s a joy.Sound system/goodies – 8/10
Kenwood was commissioned to produce the F1’s lightweight CD sound system, though all the music you’ll ever need comes from the V12 directly behind you. From the center-mounted throne, you’re in complete control, from the aerodynamic adjustments to air conditioning, central locking, map lights and power windows (however tiny the latter may be). And though the F1 is no SUV, it actually boasts a degree of luggage space, complete with fitted leather bags. McLaren even built the F1 with longevity in mind. A handful of authorized service centers (and if serious enough an issue, McLaren themselves) undertake service and repairs, the most basic of which can be done remotely. Each car has an onboard modem for remote diagnostic service.Bang for the buck – 18/20
When it was new, the F1 was unrivaled. Although its numbers have been beat since then, the F1’s relevance and intrinsic performance is still tough to top. If you can present a compelling argument for an owner to part with his car and readily have over a million bucks to seal the deal, you’ll both come out ahead.Driving experience – 19/20
For most of us lucky enough to get the chance, firing up a million-dollar Le Mans-winning exotic is a double shot of adrenaline with a chaser of fear. Just don’t be a fool, and the F1 won’t make a fool of you. It was designed to be the ultimate driver’s car, and we have to believe the mission was accomplished.Overall score – 93/100
We’re closing on nearly a decade since F1 production ended in 1998. Still, the F1 looks fresh and commands as much enthusiasm as it does respect. It may no longer be the world’s fastest production car and a couple cars can out-accelerate it. So what? It’s an automotive milestone with a legacy.and the winner is
The McLaren F1. There’s a reason otherwise sane men will commit all seven deadly sins (and perhaps more, just for good measure) for the chance to own one, even though the newest example is almost 10 years old. The Gumpert Apollo cranks out stellar numbers for a fraction of the price, but overall, the F1 remains A1 in this comparison.Resources:
http://www.sw-ma.com/eng/index_html.html
http://www.gumpert.de/eng/broschure/gsm.eng.pdf
http://www.mclarencars.com/company/heritage.htm
http://www.mclarenautomotive.com/customer_care/cars/f1_introduction.htm
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