2011 Geneva Motor Show is the place for German supercar maker Gumpert to unveil the new model. It’s called the Gumpert Tornante and it’s designed and developed by Touring Superleggera coachbuilders.

Now its not exactly a looker, but compared to the Gumpert Apollo it does look good. While Gumpert makes sure the Tornante is fast and brutal, Touring works on the car’s elegance, more passengers and luggage space, improved comfort, access and ventilation, and noise reduction.

The Tornante is powered by a lightweight V8 biturbo engine that is mated to a automatic six-speed transmission to get the best out of it. It has a nominal output of 700 PS and 900 nm of torque. The car gets Michelin Pilot Super Sport front 265/35 ZR19, back 345/30 ZR20 to ensure safety and performance for top speed in excess of 300 km/h.

For more technical details on the Tornant refer to the press release after the pictures.

Press Release:

Architecture
The space frame chassis is a derivative of the apollo and features the same central engine layout. However, the requirements of accessibility and inner space have dictated a number of important changes to the rolling chassis:
– the lateral member of the chassis is lowered by 80 mm in the door area
– the A pillar and the windshield are rotated vertically by 2.5°
– the B pillar is moved backwards with 100 mm allowing for 1120 mm wide gull-wing doors
– the H point is displaced by 210 mm in height and 46 mm in length
– the overall height is now 1215 mm
Thanks to the thorough frame engineering, the outstanding combination of lightness and torsional stiffness of the original chassis is preserved. The engineers target 100 kg and slightly lower than 40.000 Nm/degree, but the passenger compartment volume is now increased by 25% and the luggage compartment capacity is brought to 200 l.

Other modifications aim at enhanced ride comfort and driveability:
– the floor height is increased by 20 mm
– the shell seats are fully adjustable, heated, with 4-point belts
– the paddle shifters are standard feature
– sound and heat insulation material is fitted on the floor and between the cabin and the engine compartment
– glasses are double layer for better heat and noise insulation
– the ventilation system capacity is improved
A crash box in the front section, adapted from Formula-1 technology, absorbs the impact energy in case of a crash, improving the passive safety. Featuring composite body panels over the light chrome-molybdenum steel space frame with carbon fibre monocoque, the construction principle mirrors the original method patented by TOURING in 1936, and authorizes the symmetrical Superleggera badges on the bonnet.

Design
Unlike other TOURING creations, the Tornante is not rooted into a specific model of the Italian designer’s heritage. Aesthetically, the project started from a white sheet of paper, allowing the designer’s full and free focus on the challenging package of the rolling chassis and its hard points. The new model should not only offer ample performance and superb dynamic properties and aerodynamics, but also adequate levels of comfort, interior space and ergonomics.

The spirit of a true dream car, but with sufficient practical features to become a safe and useable sports car in today’s traffic.
The TOURING accent of the Tornante originates from specific proportions and the balance of muscular elegance and introvert power, rather than formal language. The bodywork preserves its movement even when the car stands still, and when on the move, it expresses unique, elegant fluidness.
The prominent grille within the balanced front wings characterizes the Tornante’s front area. The air intakes are pronounced, reflecting the care given to the air intake surface and the overall airflow.
The well-defined waistline reflects the functional separation between the greenhouse and the lower body. The top is a light area offering extended space for driver and passenger, overall visibility and sportive but comfortable ‘life on board’. The muscular, though elegant shoulders announce the stunning performance of the power unit. Both the Tornante’s doors and the boot lid open with gull-wing movement, providing easy access to the interior, the mechanics and the luggage compartment.
From the rear, the low quarter panels outline the powerful curve of the roof. Below the waistline, the very visible air diffuser evokes the research of the maximal downforce.

The overall design breaths superior potential and performance in an elegant and slightly understated way, faithful to the TOURING tradition.
Press Release March 1st 2011

Power Unit
The Tornante has the genes of the GUMPERT apollo and inherits its impressive V8 biturbo engine. Weighing only 196 kg, the engine plays a major role in ensuring the ideal weight and the fascinating driving dynamics of the Tornante.

An angle of 90° between the two cylinder banks is a sign of a classic 8-cylinder engine.
Starting from the pure block from Audi, the engine is a complete in-house development. Thus, the manufacturing process contains among others all the moving parts, air and fuel management, turbo chargers, charge air-duct and dry sump lubrication. In the basic version this engine delivers 700 HP. In comparison to the apollo, the configuration will be optimized for the Fast Touring mission. This means more comfort and more suitability for daily use.
Alongside the V8 power unit, an alternative powered Tornante is also planned for 2012.
Driveline The fully synchronised, automatic six-speed transmission guarantees efficient utilization of the remarkable energy at the back wheels. The arrangement of the gears in a longitudinal direction in the path of travel ensures a very low centre of gravity and optimum weight distribution.

Extremely short gearshifts up to 40 milliseconds (torque-to-torque) are provided by the precise TT40e transmission of the apollo, where “e” stands for electronic gear system. Gear changes are faster thanks to rocker switches on the steering wheel. The Formula 1-type technology promises the ultimate in comfort along with best driving performance.

Suspension
The apollo derived built-in suspension ideally complements the body‘s sophisticated aerodynamics. The Tornante owes the finely tuned sensitivity of the suspension system and the optimised exertion of power to its double transverse control arm pushrod configuration at front and rear.
The double wishbones ensure that the tires maintain optimum contact to the road surface, independently of the bound rate of suspension system. As the suspension elements are linked to the main frame, the system ensures a responsive reaction and precise handling.

Chassis
Made of top-quality and highly stable chrome-molybdenum-steel with an integrated safety cell, the round tube frame is the base and symbolic backbone of the Tornante. Providing additional space and comfort for its passengers compared to the apollo, the Tornante will be as safe as its racetrack-dedicated brother is. The Tornante succeeds in combining low weight and rigidity with finest driving dynamics and comfortable Fast Touring.

TECHNICAL DATA
2-seater sports car with a mid-engine arrangement, chrome-molybdenum steel chassis with an integrated safety cell, doors and the boot lid open with gull-wings, carbon body, 100 l stainless steel tank behind the passenger cell with integrated catch tank, long and pushrod-operated double transverse control arm suspension with fully adjustable dampers (front and rear) and anti roll bar in front, ground clearance adjustable between 60 and 140 mm, two circuit ABS brake system with six piston callipers, inside ventilated discs (378 x 32 mm) at front and rear

Dimensions
Length mm 4,475
Width mm 1,971
Height mm 1,215
Wheel base mm 2,700
Track front / back mm 1,648 / 1,600
Boot volume l ca. 200
Weight
Kerb weight (depending
on equipment components)
kg 1,300 – 1,400