German sports car maker Gumpert is entering a hybrid race version of its Apollo supercar at the Nurburgring 24-hour race. Instead of using the road-going Apollo’s 650bhp, 4.2-litre V8, engineers have opted for a 3.3-litre V8 and a 100kW electric motor that together produce 630bhp.The petrol-electric racer also comes with a regenerative braking system that charges its lithium-ion batteries.Ex Formula 1 driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen and American Le Mans series driver Dirk Muller will be piloting the Apollo hybrid at the 24-hour race, which takes place on 24-25 May.Frentzen said, “Motorsports can not ignore the necessity to save energy. I see a chance that our sport will go back to the forefront of technical development, making cars outside of the racetrack much more energy efficient”.
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Re: Gumpert goes racing with Apollo hybrid
If racing is supposed to improve the breed, then hopefully we will see some more interesting and realistic hybrid vehicles from this. Gumpert may not be the most well know manufacturer, but they do know how to make a good car.
Here's hoping.
Re: Gumpert goes racing with Apollo hybrid
Well somebody has to start it some time,it can only be a good thing i for one will be interested to see the outcome. Pioneer spirit and all that!