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Gumpert is entering a hybrid version of its supercar, the Apollo, in the Nurburgring 24-Hour race. Instead of the normal car's Audi 4.2-liter twin-turbo with 650 HP, the racer gets a 3.3-liter V8 with something like 630-HP, in addition to a 100kW electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. The 190 kilos of batteries will be recharged by application of the brakes, but it isn't clear exactly how the electric motor will be applied -- slow speed (aka pit lane) use only, or to provide an extra boost during the race.

The car will be driven by Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Dirk Muller. The hybrid Apollo will test its fortunes against the Audi R8 and Lexus LF-A, both of which are in the same class. If the car does well, it could mean good things for the introduction of hybrid technologies into other race series like Formula 1.

[Source: BridgeToGantry]

Gumpert Apollo Hybrid begins testing at Nurburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 May 2008 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gumpertgumpert apollogumpert apollo hybridgumpertapolloGumpertApolloHybridnurburgringnurburgring 24Nurburgring24Mon, 19 May 2008 19:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Green Hell: Gumpert to campaign hybrid Apollo at Nurburgring 24]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/23/green-hell-gumpert-to-campaign-hybrid-apollo-at-nurburgring-24/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/23/green-hell-gumpert-to-campaign-hybrid-apollo-at-nurburgring-24/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/23/green-hell-gumpert-to-campaign-hybrid-apollo-at-nurburgring-24/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click to view more of the Gumpert Apollo in hi-res

Gumpert intends to give new meaning to the term "the green hell", the nickname given by race drivers to the infamous Nurburgring Nordschleife. The German supercar-maker has announced that it will be racing at the 24-hour endurance race there next month with a race-prepped hybrid version of its Apollo supercar.

To supplement the 630-hp Audi-sourced twin-turbo V8, Gumpert will employ a 100kW electric motor recharged by captured brake energy. The system is similar to the KERS mechanism being phased into Formula One, and to highlight the F1 connection (and hopefully score some points in the process), Gumpert has solicited the services of former F1 driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who will share driving duties with veteran endurance sportscar racer Dirk Müller.

Check out the images in the high-resolution gallery below and the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Gumpert Apollo


[Source: Gumpert]

Continue reading Green Hell: Gumpert to campaign hybrid Apollo at Nurburgring 24

Green Hell: Gumpert to campaign hybrid Apollo at Nurburgring 24 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>green motorsportsGreenMotorsportsgumpert apollogumpert apollo hybridgumpert apollo raceGumpertApolloGumpertApolloHybridGumpertApolloRacehybrid motorsportsHybridMotorsportsnurburgring 24Nurburgring24Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:32:00 EST