► Exclusive new hypercar from Apollo
► All-carbon chassis, 1350kg of downforce
► 769bhp bruiser yours for circa 2 million quid
You can never have too many hypercars, right? Right.
With that in mind, and with claims that ‘pure, raw, emotional connection that binds driver and car’ is something lacking in today’s market, Apollo has created something it thinks will appeal to the purist millionaire car enthusiast, called the IE (or the Intensa Emozione – no prizes if you can translate that). We’ll stick with IE.
You don’t need us to tell you it’s a bonkers, super-exclusive hypercar. Just look at it.
Don’t I know Apollo from somewhere?
You do if you remember the Gumpert Apollo – the brand has evolved into Apollo Automobil, and the IE marks the start of the company’s next phase.
With looks like that, is there something equally futuristic in the engine bay?
Unlike every other hypercar launching of late, the Apollo doesn’t use turbochargers or superchargers or a super-advanced hybrid powertrain (they’re ‘emotionally dilutive,’ according to Apollo).
Instead, the Intensa Emozione uses a 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V12, producing 769bhp and a hefty 561lb ft of torque driven through a sequential six-speed gearbox with an electro-pneumatic paddle-shift system. It’ll rev to 9000rpm, with three engine modes: Wet, Sport and Track – there’s no ‘Normal’ mode here.
And when it comes to traction control, there are no fewer than 12 levels selectable by the driver. Suspension is a double-wishbone arrangement, with adjustable Bilstein dampers.
What’s it made of?
Light weight and advanced aero are key here, with an all-carbonfibre monocoque chassis and subframes weighing a total of 105kg.
The rest of the car is all carbon too, from the body to the seats, with aluminium BBS alloys and carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes front and rear.
When it comes to aero, Apollo has a lot to shout about here (that runway-sized rear wing ain’t for nothin’).
At 186mph, the IE produces in excess of 1350kg of net downforce, an amount Apollo says is more akin to an LMP2 race car than road-going GT.
The Intense Emotion isn’t something you’ll be able to drive on the road, anyway – designed purely for the track, it’s not road-legal, as per the Aston Martin Valkyrie or McLaren P1 GTR. Although we can’t imagine driving around in something worth 2.3mil is particularly relaxing.
How fast will it go?
From a standstill, the Apollo is claimed to reach 62mph in 2.7 seconds, and continue to a top speed of 208mph.
Can I buy one?
You can, but you’ll have to part with a cool 2.3 million euros (about £2 million) if you want one of the ten cars being produced. So enjoy the pictures, because it’s likely you won’t be seeing one of these in the flesh any time soon.
The IE paves the way for a future sibling, however – the Arrow, making its production debut in 2019. But IE owners get priority when it comes to buying this car as well, so it’s unlikely many of us will be seeing one of those either…
