News Source: topspeed.com

For all the financial troubles Gumpert  went through for the past a few years, one thing that hasn’t changed is the company’s ability to create, develop and build sports cars  . We already know what Gumpert is capable of, thanks to its lineup of mind-bending Apollo models, but during the Geneva Motor Show, the company went with a new twist, introducing the new Gumpert Explosion that’s not quite at the Apollo’s performance level, but is a little more attainable for those who can’t spend $1 million on a car.

The Gumpert Explosion is named specifically to distinguish it from the big boys in the lineup. By sheer looks, it’s already different from the devastatingly fast Apollo and while its specs are also significantly lower than the Apollo, the Explosion does carry the appeal of being an "affordable" Gumpert. 

Unlike the mid-engined Apollo, which was designed with track performance in mind, hence the low ground clearance and the massive rear wings, the Explosion is a little more of a conventional sports coupe in terms of its dimensions.

The front end looks incredible, specifically how Gumpert was able to integrate the bumpers with the pair of large intakes on both sides of the fascia. Distinctive-looking headlights, and a tier-like hood add to the visual appeal of the Explosion, while the rear end gets a similar airflow-centric design.

The car’s front looks completely flat when viewed from the sides, but the face of the Explosion speaks to how sporty and aggressive this coupe is when unleashed on the road. The interior of the Explosion won’t wow anybody, but it does come in a black-red, two-tone leather finish that can be seen as a continuation of the its exterior colors. Everything also looks to be in the right place, although a quick glance at the center console made us wonder if Gumpert is offering an infotainment system as an added option. Without that, the cabin looks nowhere near as awesome as the exterior design of the sports car. The Gumpert Explosion carries a 2.0-liter, turbocharge four-cylinder engine, which may seem a little small for the automaker, but its 420 horsepower at 6,540 rpm and 383 pound-feet of torque at 4,550 rpm quickly negate that thought. The engine is mated to either a six-cog, paddle-shifted auto or a six-speed manual, and power heads out to all four wheels.Gumpert stopped short of giving up the top speed numbers, but considering that the Explosion can reach 60 mph in just three seconds, we sense a peak speed of somewhere around 185 mph. Gumpert is planning a first run of Explosion models for later this year at a price of €105,000 ($145,000), far more affordable than the Apollo.

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is powered by a V-8 engine that delivers a total of 430 horsepower at 7,300 rpm and 361 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a Sportshift II, close-ratio, seven-speed automated manual transmission.

The V8 Vantage S is priced at $142,000.

The Maserati GranTurismo S gets a 4.7-liter, V-8 engine that delivers a total of 460 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. When it comes to its looks, both the Gran Turismo S and the Explosion have unique styling traits to themselves, with each featuring a sporty and aggressive stance while maintaining a unique appearance.

The Maserati GranTurismo S is priced at around $126,000. The Gumpert Explosion gets high marks for looking like an absolute stud. That and the impressive powertrain gives us reason to hope that Gumpert’s financial difficulties are finally behind it. The interior needs some work, however, especially if it wants to compete with the likes of the Vantage and the GranTurismo. But overall, the Explosion is everything its name suggests: an explosive new ride from the company that knows what its doing.