2012
Gumpert Tornante
Italian
design firm Touring Superleggera and German supercar manufacturer Gumpert have
unveiled the mid-engine Tornante sports car at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show.
Powered by an Audi-sourced drivetrain, the 2-passenger coupe goes on sale in
2012. Gumpert says the "basic version" of the Tornante will have 700
bhp, with an "alternate" to the twin-turbocharged 4.2-liter V-8-powered
model on the way. Expect that to be another Audi engine, most likely a version
of the V-10 powerplant used in the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Gallardo.
A
6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is standard on the
Tornante. According to Gumpert, the transmission is capable of changing gears
in only 40 milliseconds. The space frame chassis is derived from the one
currently used in the Gumpert Apollo, with the objective being to make the
Tornante more comfortable and easier to live with everyday.
The
Tornante's cabin now offers its occupants 25 percent more room than the cramped
confines found in the Gumpert Apollo. Luggage room has also been improved. The
B-pillars have been moved back 3.9 inches and the lateral chassis members
around the door openings have been lowered by 3.1 inches, to allow easier
access via new (and wider) gull-wing doors.
Extra
heat insulation and soundproofing, along with double-layer glass, help to
reduce noise levels and heat buildup. The capacity of the ventilation system
has also been improved. Fully adjustable seats with 4-point belts are now
standard, while the height of the floor has been raised by 0.7 inches. All in
all, the Tornante promises to be far more livable and refined than the raucous
Apollo.
The
exterior is also a vast improvement over the Apollo's chunky and somewhat crude
design. Touring has provided the Tornante with a smoother and leaner
look—though the side windows remain too small and rear visibility won't be
helped with that split-glass rear window. The air intakes are better integrated
into the bodywork than they are in the Apollo. Yet the front grille and
headlights still look too unfinished in our opinion.
The
Tornante will likely be priced similarly to the Apollo—which according to
Gumpert will remain in production, though we're not certain why.
