After closing its doors due to insolvency in 2013, German hypercar company Gumpert is back in business and will be bringing an entirely new Bugatti-challenging model to next week's Geneva motor show. But it won't be the only boutique firm looking to challenge the establishment.
Called the Apollo N, the company, which has also been renamed Apollo Automobil, isn't giving much away about the car's capabilities other than to say it will be the world's fastest road-legal car when it makes its global debut on March 1.
That is a huge boast. The world's fastest full production car (i.e., more than 30 identical models built) is the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport -- 265mph (427.6km/h) -- and its replacement, the Chiron, also being unveiled in Geneva, is set to be faster still.
However, the original Apollo was no slouch thanks to its lightweight construction and twin-turbo V8 engine. The 'Sport' model could hit 100km/h from standstill in just under 3 seconds and its top speed was comfortably above 220mph (354km/h). It is also one of the fastest cars ever to lap the Nurburgring, completing the course in 7 minutes and 11.57 seconds.
While the new Apollo N is aiming to give Bugatti a run for its money, it could face some very stiff competition from British boutique builder Arash. It will be bringing its all-new AF10 to Geneva and it uses a hybrid powertrain to deliver a scarcely believable 2080bhp -- that's 880bhp more than a Bugatti.
This power comes from a total of five motors working together -- a 295bhp electric motor at each wheel and a supercharged V8 sitting in the middle. The car is built almost entirely from carbon fiber or composites so it's light yet strong and Arash is hoping to sell the car for £1 million (about US$1.4 million).
Another supercar maker that will be resurrecting its brand at Geneva is Dutch firm Spyker. After running into serious financial difficulties after its unsuccessful attempt to buy and relaunch Saab, the company is back on a much surer financial footing. As such, it will be unveiling a totally new model, the C8 Preliator that will feature a new design language and possibly a full electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain.
The 86th Geneva Motor Show opens its doors to the press on March 1 and to the public from March 3.
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