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 2019 Apollo IE ML ‘Golden Dragon’, finished in an unbelievable ‘Chameleon Aerowana Gold’ exposed Carbon Fiber with purple, blue and red accents all throughout the exterior over a dark blue Alcantara and gold leather interior with yellow stitching. 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. The Apollo IE is the third project in the brand’s lineup following the Apollo N, and the Apollo Arrow concept car of 2016. 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. The ML in the name is claimed to stand for “Meaningful Life”, where as the ‘Golden Dragon’ represents the theme and design of the car itself. The ‘Chameleon’ part of the name is defined by the way the car changes colors under certain lighting. The owner of this exact car is on instagram as @fastcarsandguns!
How many made? 10 (+2 prototypes)
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: @am_media_ny
Research: @rarecarsonly