An interesting brand that easily deserves more attention is Apollo Automobil, previously known as Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur before that company filed for bankruptcy and went into liquidation. The Gumpert company was was repurchased in 2016 by Hong Kong consortium Ideal Team Venture, which also owns the Italian car-manufacturing company De Tomaso. The car presented here today is the absolutely magnificent 2021 Apollo IE ‘Samurai Dragon’ (71009), finished in an unbelievable ‘Samurai Blue’ exposed carbon fiber with black carbon fiber, yellow and white accents. The beautiful paint work is intended to be reminiscent of the national football team of Japan, nicknamed ‘Samurai Blue’. Inside this IE is a wonderful combination of blue and white leather/Alcantara and a plethora of blue carbon fiber. Made almost entirely out of carbon fiber materials, the ‘IE’ in the name stands for ‘Intensa Emozione’ which is Italian for intense emotion. The IE’s carbon fiber monocoque chassis was developed by the Capricorn Group with final assembly by German company HWA AG to meet and partially exceed FIA LMP2 safety requirements. The Apollo IE is the second vehicle made by Apollo after the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8-powered Apollo Arrow of 2016 their new ownership. The IE was developed in collaboration with Italian company Manifattura Automobili Torino, and the design work for the model was styled by chief designer Jowyn Wong. Standing out from almost anything else on the road, the IE offers a number of eye-opening elements such as a cocoon-style carbon fiber tub cockpit, a 6-speed Hewland sequential manual transmission and a 6.3L naturally-aspirated F140FE V12 developed by Autotecnica Motori and HWA AG. Certainly one of the most interesting modern hypercars to reach the automotive world, and one that easily has a promising future ahead!
How many made? 10 (+2 prototypes and 1 car that has been converted to a DeTomaso P72)
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.3L V12 - 780 horsepower.
Debut: The Apollo IE was first revealed on October 24th, 2017
Top Speed: approximately 208 mph.
0-60mph: around 2.7 seconds.
Photo credit: @oto_racing_
Research: @rarecarsonly