Gumpert Torante set for Geneva debut

German supercar manufacturer aims to broaden its target audience via a more comfort-oriented coupe

We've previously reported on the curiously named Gumpert Apollo, and the specialist German purveyor of supercars is now set to wheel out its next offering at the upcoming Geneva motor show.

The newbie is known as the Torante, and the twin-turbo V8 coupe promises performance to rival that of the Apollo Speed, which in 2009 set a Nurburgring lap time of 7min 11.5sec in the hands of Florian Gruber -- a mark that has been eclipsed only by the barebones (and hardly roadworthy) Radical SR8 and and SR8 LM.

To put this feat in perspective, the current Porsche 911 GT2 RS has clocked a best of 7min 18sec, while the 2011 Nissan GT-R is credited with a best lap of 7min 24.2sec (although the validity of this has been questioned).

Getting back to the Torante, it uses a mid-mounted Audi-sourced 4.2-litre V8, but the twin-turbo powerplant has been tweaked to kick out around 520kW, which is directed to the rear wheels by a six-speed sequential gearbox with paddle shifters.

The design brief for the new model was to provide more comfort, space and touring ability than the ultra-focused Apollo. It's scheduled to join the latter in showrooms from next year.

The teaser image alongside doesn't give away too much, but the styling -- penned by Italy's Touring Superleggera -- appears more contemporary than that of the Apollo, and it's a much cleaner design overall.

Among the car's show-stopping features are gullwing doors and jaw-dropping proportions to rival a Lamborghini Gallardo or Ferrari 458 Italia. The derriere is somewhat larger than that of the Apollo, and this is allegedly to provide extra luggage space and a larger fuel tank to boost its credentials as a long-distance tourer.

The Torante's voluptuous bodywork is wrapped around a steel frame, and the car is underpinned by a reworked version of the Apollo's double wishbone suspension -- it reportedly serves up a more comfortable and compliant ride.

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