Former Audi engineer, Roland Gumpert founded the Sportwagenmanufaktur in 2001 to produce the Apollo, which associated an aggressive style, due to Marco Vanetta, with a powerful engine of Audi origin. The Apollo was presented in Essen in November 2005 and stood as an original alternative in the world of supercars. The 4172cc V8 engine developed 650 horsepower at 6500 rpm. A lower and aerodynamically optimized 'S' variant was presented in Geneva in 2009. A year later it was further developed. About 40 Apollos were produced until 2012.