Apollo Electric Sports Cars

Apollo Future Mobility Group (AFMG) , the German-born hypercar manufacturer, has initiated a strategic transition toward becoming an exclusive electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer. Leveraging its heritage from the legendary Gumpert Apollo which famously held the “Ring King” title at the Nürburgring in 2009 the company is developing a range of high-performance electric sports cars designed to compete with traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) exotics and modern luxury EVs.

Background

Originally founded by Audi engineer Roland Gumpert in 2004, the brand was revitalized under Hong Kong-based investment, eventually becoming Apollo Future Mobility Group. Following a restructuring that saw substantial investment from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Weltmeister (WM Motor) in 2022, AFMG outlined a roadmap to electrify its lineup while maintaining the extreme performance standards of models like the V12-powered Intensa Emozione (IE).

Key Electric Models and Prototypes

Apollo G2J Engineering Prototype

The most significant step toward electrification is the G2J, an “advanced rolling engineering prototype” unveiled in October 2022. Unlike the brand’s previous low-volume, V12-powered hypercars, the G2J is a fully electric sports car designed to validate the technology for a future production series. Development of the G2J has been ongoing for over two years, led by AFMG’s European R&D center in Ingolstadt, Germany.

The prototype features a carbon fiber chassis utilizing advanced lightweight composite materials. While the radical styling of the G2J is toned down compared to the aggressive IE, it retains mid-engined sports car proportions (optimized for EV packaging), butterfly doors, and a driver-focused cockpit of exposed carbon fiber and Alcantara. The G2J is currently undergoing rigorous testing to refine its electric powertrain, connectivity, and digital ecosystem.

Apollo EVision S and EVision X

Prior to the G2J prototype, Apollo previewed its electric ambitions at the 2021 China International Import Expo (CIIE) with the EVision S (a four-seat luxury sports sedan) and the EVision X (a high-performance SUV). These concepts were designed to showcase a new design language for the brand, moving away from pure track-focused hypercars to high-performance daily-drivable EVs. The EVision S features a sleek, aerodynamic silhouette with a prominent X-shaped lighting signature. Technical details remain scarce, but the vehicles were intended to launch in 2022, though the G2J prototype has since taken precedence as the primary technology flagship.

Appollen S1 (Brand Distinction)

There is a separate entity known as Appollen (with a double ‘p’), which produces the Appollen S1. This is a distinct Malaysian-based company that licenses or utilizes similar branding but is separate from the German Apollo hypercar lineage (AFMG) building the G2J. The Appollen S1 is a production EV offering 500 km of range and a 3.3-second 0-100 km/h time, positioned as a more accessible electric sports car.

Technology and Platform

Lightweight Construction

AFMG is focusing on ultra-lightweight composite materials for its EV architecture. The G2J prototype utilizes a carbon fiber monocoque, a material Apollo is familiar with from the IE hypercar. This focus aims to counteract the heavy weight of high-capacity battery packs, preserving the “lightweight” sports car ethos.

800V Powertrain

Industry reports suggest Apollo’s production EVs will likely utilize an evolution of an 800V electrical architecture. This system is anticipated to feature dual axial-flux electric motors paired with planetary gearboxes technology designed to deliver the high-revving, responsive feel required of a sports car.

Production and Strategy

Apollo’s electric sports cars are being developed under the “Apollo Future Mobility Group” umbrella, utilizing a network of specialized centers in the UK, USA, Germany, and Japan. The strategy involves a two-pronged approach: continuing to build ultra-rare, high-margin internal combustion hypercars (like the limited-run Apollo EVO) for collectors, while simultaneously scaling up production of high-performance EVs for a wider audience.

The company’s partnership with Divergent Technologies (a 3D-printed metal chassis firm) and GLM (a Japanese EV engineering firm) provides the industrial base to move from hand-built hypercars to mass-producible electric sports cars. As of late 2022, the G2J prototype continues to serve as a testbed, with the final production design expected to be unveiled following the completion of the validation program.