Two Ways to Skin a Track: Hockenheim

,

 

KW Motorsports 3-way adjustable rear dampers are placed inboard and actuated by pushrods and bell cranks. The dampers are adjustable for high and low speed compression and rebound with the bias on low speed. The KW Motorsport dampers are standard equipment on the Gumpert Apollo. Allen head fasteners are used everywhere.

 

Remember the importance of thermal management?  The entire exhaust is covered in the fancy insulation.  I bet that carbon fiber rear diffuser lasts longer when not being cooked by exhaust heat.  The rear brake duct also runs right by the exhaust; keeping cooling air cool is generally a good idea.

 

I don’t have a clue as to what this flappy thing is, but it apparently couldn’t take the heat.  A bit surprising considering how well everything else is insulated.

 

This shot of the underside of the engine cover shows the ducting to route air to the heat exchangers.  It also provides a good view of the rear diffuser.

 

The topside view shows the three air scoops providing air to the airbox, oil cooler and tranny cooler.  There also appears to be a vent in the rear of the bodywork to allow for air to escape from behind the rear tires.

  

 

The KTM X-bow and Gumpert Apollo represent two methods of attacking a track.  Both take essentially race car concepts and add just enough stuff (turn signals, mirrors, lights, and even a radio in the Apollo!) to make them ‘street’ cars.  The X-bow starts off from more of an open cockpit formula car build generating speed by being extremely light weight with only modest power.  The Apollo would look right at home racing against closed-cockpit LeMans prototypes.  It’s a relatively large car, but very light weight for its size and packing a lot of horsepower, tires, and downforce.  Either way, they both haul ass.  In the words of Ferris Bueller, “if you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up”.

 

 

kw suspension logo

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*
*