Geneva preview: Gumpert Apollo Speed prototype spotted at the 'Ring

German sports car manufacturer Gumpert unveiled a faster version of its Apollo supercar back at March’s Geneva Motor Show named the Apollo Speed. Building on previous versions like the Apollo Sport and Apollo Race, the new Speed had been further engineered to tackle high speed runs.


Gumpert was founded in 2004 by Roland Gumpert, a proponent of street-legal, track-ready cars. After returning to Germany from China, where he had worked as an executive for Volkswagen, he recruited two universities and a small staff to build the first Apollo prototype. Known for their abilitity to quickly develop their vehicles, the Apollo made its race debut at the 2005 Divinol Cup, where it took third. Since, they have released other versions for public sale, including the Gumpert Apollo Race, Gumpert Apollo Speed, and Gumpert Apollo Sport. A hybrid model was also built for the 2008 24 Hours Nurburgring.


Not to be shown up by its brother, the Apollo Speed also crushes the 0-100 km/h time with a 3.0 second time, arriving at 200 km/h in under nine seconds. It was introduced at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show with a more aggressive look, due in part to its shortened height of 1.1 meters. The car has visual modifications, and an underbody built from a composite of carbon and aluminum.


Power comes from an Audi-sourced twin-turbo 4.2L V8 developing up to 800hp (597kW) and 664lb-ft (900Nm) of torque in the range topping model. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a sequential six-speed gearbox, and according to Gumpert the new Speed will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.0 seconds flat, pass 200km/h in 8.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 360km/h.


We always like to see the Gumpert Apollo setup at the Geneva Motor Show, and we're sure they will bring something interesting in 2010. However, we want to know if they will be bringing a new introduction to Frankfurt in September.
Source:worldcarfans

UKDM Nissan 370Z 'Yellow' is a special-edition

American fans of Nissan's fantastic new 370Z can order their cars in Chicane Yellow, but up until now, their counterparts in Blighty have been out of luck if they've wanted a sunburst Z of their own. Until now.


That's because Nissan UK has cooked up a special new limited-edition (if unimaginatively named) 370Z Yellow.



Nissan assures that there will be a "strictly limited volume" of Yellows for sale in the UK, with "exclusivity guaranteed." But tellingly, perhaps, the company isn't divulging just how many it plans to produce in the model's press release (available after the jump). If you're interested, prepare to shell out £31,650 (nearly $52,000 USD)
for a six-speed manual or £33,050 for the automatic (just over $54,000 USD – as usual, bear in mind the UK's comparatively inflated pricing structure for new cars).


Apparently inspired by the Japanese automaker's European GT4 series racers, all Yellows will receive 19-inch forged RAYS alloys, a black leather and suede interior, along with illuminated door sill plates, special floor mats, and so on. Did we mention the bespoke lower body graphics? They remind us of less subtle, billboard-sized versions of the graphics packages on certain Porsche 911s.
via:autoblog




PRESS RELEASE:

2 July 2009

LATEST 370Z PUTS OTHER COUPES IN THE SHADE

* Stunning new paint job for special version of Nissan's affordable supercar, the 370Z
* Exclusivity guaranteed: strictly limited volume to be available in the UK
* Forged alloys, race car cues, black leather and suede interior
* It's Yellow

It's already the one bright spot in the affordable sports car market, but now Nissan is going for gold with a special version of the storming 370Z coupe. Not for shrinking violets, the new 370Z Yellow lives up to its name in spectacular fashion.

Ultimate Yellow is the paint job and it signals a 370Z with everything that people expect of the 331PS sportster along with a rare exclusivity – there will be a limited number of Yellows available – and a potent visual impact that takes the 370Z's muscular looks to new heights. Some cars were just born to be yellow.

The 370Z Yellow gets design cues that nod at the racing 370Zs from the European GT4 series. The wheels are 19-inch RAYS forged alloys and along the flanks are special 370Z graphics, both items setting off the gleaming yellow body to perfection.

Inside the contrast could not be greater: the theme here is black leather and suede. There's an integrated satellite navigation system, illuminated entry plates, special mats and a BOSE audio with eight speakers and a six-CD autochanger. The sophistication continues with heated seats, cruise control, speed limiter and all the other features from the 370Z GT Pack on which the special Yellow model is based.

The 370Z Yellow is, like all the new-generation versions of this world famous sports car dynasty, powered by an enthusiast's delight of a V6 engine. It pumps out 331PS at 7000rpm backed up by a meaty 270lb ft of pulling power.

With a six-speed manual box (a seven-speed automatic is optional), the Yellow sprints from rest to 62mph in 5.3sec and goes on to a restricted top speed of 155mph. A synchronised rev control during downchanges reminds you just how good the engine sounds – even when just trundling to the shops.

The Yellows for the UK are available from all participating Nissan dealers but definitely from all High Performance Centres where its big brother the GT-R is exclusively sold. The first cars will be available from September with prices from £31,650 (manual gears) or £33,050 (automatic).