Proving that a small dedicated team of devoted engineers could take on the might of the world's finest and most famous supercar builders the boffins at Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur created the Apollo, a monster road car that ignored the rules of physics and sent the likes of the refined Porsche 911 Turbo and raging bull Lamborghini Gallardo running for cover.
In the same year that dedicated Italian supercar builder Ferrari unveiled the gorgeous 575M Maranello modified convertible, aptly titled the Superamerica, the Gumpert Apollo lumbered onto the scene looking like the proverbial hunchback which lived in the bell tower. Yet what it lacked in grace, the burly German made up for in sheer out-and-out spine-shrinking pace.
Capable of enormous turns of speed, the honed race car-inspired creation was regaled by the motoring press for turning the dial-up to a level way beyond eleven as it devoured corners and obliterated straights without batting an eyelid. Now relegated to the history books, the short-lived sensation is a legend and here are 10 things we love about the Gumpert Apollo.
10 Born Out Of Passion
Most cars are designed by a committee, with a lengthy list of wants or needs that ensure that the end product ticks as many boxes as possible as it meets end-user requirements whilst also hitting its main goal, turning the all-important profit.
The brainchild of Roland Gumpert, an Audi executive, and designer Roland Mayer, the Apollo became a labor of love for both men and a project that would redefine what could genuinely be expected from a fully road-legal supercar.
9 Powered By Audi
Lifted from the first-generation Audi RS6, the 4.2-liter bi-turbocharged 90-degree V8 powerhouse of an engine was revised with lightweight internals then mated to a six-speed sequential transmission to give the road-racer a unique personality.
Offered in three states of tune that grew from the base version's 641hp through to the Sport's 690hp, those seeking the biggest bang for their buck could opt for the fire breathing Race setup that would see the engine produce a colossal 789hp.
8 It Is Incredibly Fast
Even in what is referred to as lowly Base trim, the Gumpert Apollo will rocket to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds before cracking 100mph in an unbelievable 6.5 seconds. The quarter-mile is annihilated in 10.5 seconds as the Apollo thumps through at 132mph.
At the other end of the scary spectrum, the Race version will improve on those figures by hitting 60mph in 2.9 seconds, hitting 124mph in 8 seconds then running all the way through to an eyewatering 220mph without missing a beat.
7 A Badly Styled Masterpiece
A complete mash-up of function over form, the Apollo lacks the styled grace of a Ferrari or the brutal handsomeness of a Lamborghini. Considered by some to resemble a badly molded kit car, the Gumpert Apollo isn't here to win beauty contests.
Hunkered down low to the road, the purposefully wide Gumpert Apollo would look more at home bullying its competition at the Le Mans 24 hours rather than skirting the supermarket parking lot in search of a space, or two, to park.
6 It Was Modestly Tuned
A masterpiece in itself, the Audi-derived 4.2-liter V8 engine has been regarded as one of the best automotive building blocks ever created, as it possesses the ability to be modified and seriously improved upon without suffering the loss of reliability.
When fettled and fitted to the Apollo, the V8 remains in what is noted as being a modest state of tune with the ability for the unit to further deliver higher levels if required, with a rumored possibility in excess of 1000hp being on the table if ever needed.
5 Awesome Retro Appeal
It may seem a little bizarre to consider a supercar that was released to the world in 2005 a possible retro throwback, but with the massive advances in the performance car marketplace and the event of electric power trains, the Apollo does have an old-time appeal.
The use of a large displacement, bi-turbo engine to generate huge numbers is very much yesterday's thinking with the car's lack of user-oriented technology also set it apart from the competition from then, and more importantly, now.
4 A True Road Legal Racer
Many cars carry the claim of being race cars for the road, but in truth, most don't genuinely deliver the feel or ragged speed that a bona fide track-oriented race car can deliver as a driver attacks their favorite winding piece of blacktop.
The small, snug cockpit sets the atmosphere, with anyone over 6 feet tall likely to feel it the most as you sit mere inches above the tarmac. The overwhelming sensation of pure speed engulfing the driver in an experience that no other vehicle can deliver.
3 Light, Grippy, And Highly Rewarding
Tipping the scales at a decidedly bantam like 1200kg the Gumpert Apollo sits in a weight class similar to that of a new style Mini Cooper, which considering it delivers 5 times more power puts its incredible performance credentials into perspective.
Hugely agile, the direct steering setup in the Gumpert allows the car to dance between apexes with a deft touch, the instantly responsive engine always ready to propel the hypercar towards the horizon in a howling frenzied rush.
2 The Bonkers Apollo Intensa Emozione
Rising from the ashes of a company that sank into financial failure in 2013 the wild-looking Apollo Intensa Emozione takes the skin peeling turn of speed from the former car and pours it all into a far more appealing exterior shell.
Created from carbon fiber, the new model still retains a feather-like weight at 1250kg, while the temptation to drop in an environmentally friendly hybrid or modern electric-powered engine was thankfully resisted with good old gasoline being the fuel of choice.
1 A Costly Evolution
Boasting a whopping 6.3-liter V12 engine that happily throws 769hp to the rear wheels, the newest Apollo is no shrinking violet and will launch to 60mph in a startling 2.7 seconds before topping out at a respectably rapid 207mph.
Limited to just 10 examples worldwide, anyone thinking that this newest generation of Apollo would look at home on the driveway will need to cough up $2.5 million dollars to secure an example of this crazy and seriously fast automobile.