Apollo Intensa Emozione – The Apollo IE
3 min read
At the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, Apollo was ready to show off its new direction with the Arrow concept. Yet, here we are 19 months later, and the company’s first real product, the “Intensa Emozione” is nothing like that idea. That’s because they’ve done a lot in order to be able to push the design well beyond what the original Apollo’s chassis could take.
After turning the Gumpert-based Apollo N into a functional track car by completely re-engineering its guts, Norman came to the conclusion that the tubular chromoly space frame Gumpert has designed was not something they could work with in the long run. Then, it was decided that they would switch to a naturally-aspirated V 12 instead of a twin-turbo Sixth is v 8 as well.
Once they were done looking at the new blank sheet, Apollo moved forward simply by teaming up with Paolo Garella, the engineer whose recent works include Scuderica Cameron Clickenhaus’ race framework for the SCG 003. Based on what they’ve learnt from Glickenhaus’ In ürburgring program, Garella’s Manifattura Automobili Torino built an even tighter carbon fiber framework, happy to become free from the packaging issues associated with forced-induction engines, but still challenged by the style team to fit both a Sixth is v doze and a 26. 4 gallon fuel cell, all without compromising balance.
The result is an all co2 chassis with a carbon monocoque, as well as carbon fiber front and rear subframes, plus crash structures that are neatly integrated into the exterior design. The platform weighs just 231 lbs., allowing the Apollo IE to claim a curb weight figure of 2755 pounds., having a distribution of 45/55 per cent front and rear.
The IE sits on a 106 inch wheelbase, with an overall length of 16. 5 feet. It’s also almost two meters wide at 6. 5 feet, while its ride height can be hydraulically adjusted between 60 and 160mm. The standard road setting is usually 110m m. The adjustable dampers come from Bilstein, while the rest of the suspension is definitely a double wishbone setup with full push-rod and rocker arm architecture at both ends, along with flexible anti-roll bars.
For those hard days at the circuit, the IE also comes with a pneumatic quick-lift system with four air-jacks. Supporting the action are Apollo’s co2 ceramic Brembo brakes with 6-piston calipers at the front side and four-pistons in the back, barely hidden behind forged aluminum BBS rims.
Tuned to produce 780 horsepower in 8500 rpm and 560 foot pounds of torque found at 6000 rpm, Apollo’s six. 3 V12 is a variety of the Ferrari F12’s engine, with fresh software, plus a custom intake and exhaust system developed by Autotecnica Motori in Italy. It revs to 9000, while the tach goes to 11.
The V12 uses a paddle-shift operated Hewland 6-speed race gearbox. In the meantime, Apollo can be likewise working on a dual-clutch automatic for its future cars, like the upcoming Arrow set for a 2019 debut.
There’s a 12-level traction control program as well mainly because three driving modes to keep things tidy, but the lack of turbos about the blue-blooded V12 promises old school thrills in a car packing 2976 lbs. of downforce at 186 mph.
Yet despite almost all the engineering, the Apollo IE’s most fascinating feature remains its exterior style, which was the function of two guys in their late twenties, operating from home. Yes. This car was created in a 27-year-old’s living room.
