World-renowned tuner Gemballa will be heading to the 2013 Geneva Motor Show with its GT Spider, based on the McLaren MP4-12C Spider.
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Out of all of the bespoke options you can choose for your automobile, coating your car in real diamonds has to be among the most exclusive paint jobs out there. World famous tuner Gemballa is now offering a premium paint job which utilizes genuine diamonds.
World famous tuner Gemballa will be heading to this year’s Geneva Motor Show with three world premieres, one of which is a custom McLaren MP4-12C. Alongside the McLaren will be four Porsche projects, two of which are world premieres.
Few details were revealed by Gemballa, but they did say the McLaren project would feature bespoke carbon fiber components with 20-inch wheels up front and 21-inch wheels in the rear. The McLaren MP4-12C race car pictured above might give us a sneak preview to what we can expect at the show.
The other two world premieres is a new 991 Porsche 911 model, and a new custom Cayenne. The 991 will feature new carbon fiber goodies, a unique six-pipe exhaust and 21-inch wheels. The Cayenne will have a new modular aerodynamic kit made from carbon fiber and a set of 22-inch wheels.
The other two vehicles that will be in attendance at the Gemballa booth will be model highlights. The Gemballa Mistrale with 721-hp along with the widebody Gemballa Tornado.
Gemballa is known for some of the world’s most exquisite Porsche creations, and despite turmoil over the last couple of years, they’re looking ahead to the future and celebrating their 30th anniversary in style.
For those that aren’t fortunate enough to afford Gemballa’s real creations, they have had a model car collection of some of their most famous models available for purchase. But now a limited edition series has been released, starring their infamous Mirage GT Blue and MIG-U1 in white. Each model car will only have a limited quantity of 300, each numbered in an individual display. Best of all, the price is only around $76 based on today’s conversion rates and includes VAT and shipping. No idea if they’ll ship all the way to North America, but for two model cars with Gemballa’s prestige and a limited edition behind it, it’s a respectable price tag. If you’re interested, shoot collection@gemballa.com an email.
Vehicles in Gemballa’s other model car collections include their Mirage GT in various colors, their Avalanche GT2, Avalanche GTR, and their Cayenne variants.
GALLERY: Gemballa 30th Anniversary Model Cars Collection
German investment banker and millionaire, Stephen Korbach has started a new Gemballa racing team, which will be competing in the 2012 motor sport season with two McLaren MP4-12C GT3s. Korbach has asked Sascha Bert to act as team manager for the motor sport involvement.
“Sascha Bert is an absolute pro and is ideally qualified to manage our new racing team, said Korbach. ”We deliberately went for the McClaren MP4-12C GT3 for our motor sport commitment, because we think the car has enormous potential to be among the season’s leaders. Together with a renowned deployment team that’s already won everything in sight and exceptional drivers, we obviously want to drive to win. Racing is in our blood.”
The Gemball MP4-12C features the M838T twin turbocharged 3.8-liter McLaren V8. Power has been detuned to 500-hp and limited to 7,500 rpm. The powertrain is mated to a six-speed sequential gearbox equipped with steering wheel mounted paddles.
[Source: GT Spirit]
The newly resurrected Gemballa brand may not be making as many splashes as we would like to see, but they’ve recently returned to their roots with a new Mirage GT edition. Similar to the Matt Black Edition that was seen in 2009, Gemballa has created another version of its modified Porsche Carrera GT, this time in matte blue.
Based off a Porsche 980 Carrera GT, the exotic sports car features 650-hp and 464 lb-ft of torque. And while Gemballa’s designs are often criticized for being too extreme, the Mirage GT aero kit couldn’t be a better fit, helping keep the exotic Porsche looking modern.
The engine bay and interior also gets their fair share of colored accessories, with a white theme contrasting the flat blue exterior.
Take a look at all the pics in the gallery below. Nostalgia never looked so good.
GALLERY: Gemballa Porsche Mirage GT Matt Blue Edition
[Source: GTspirit]
Before the untimely death of Uwe Gemballa, he had given the world a special gift, a modified Ferrari Enzo. Gemballa is one of the most well-known tuners in the world, but all his work was previously focused on Porsches. So the move to work his magic on a Ferrari, and a very rare one at that – only 400 Enzo’s were ever produced – came as a big surprise.
The tuning went far beyond just looks. The Enzo’s aerodynamics were tweaked to give the car more downforce at speed, and the brakes have more ducting to cool them quicker. It’s also lighter, lower, wider and faster. The extra speed comes thanks to a tuned 6.0-liter V12, that now produces 700 hp.
The initial plans were to produce 25 examples of the Enzo-based MIG-U1, but with Gemballa’s death and reoganization of his company, so far only one such vehicle exists. It is currently on sale, and while the listing says the car is in the U.S.A., after inquiring the seller informed us it is actually currently sitting in Paris, France.
Interested? Thought you might be, after all it would make for an interesting addition to any garage. However, as you might have guessed, it is not exactly cheap. The current owner is asking $3.8-million for it, which is twice as much as what a regular Enzo is fetching these days. We suggest you crack open all your piggy-banks now.
[Source: The Car Experience]
2010 has been the sort of year Gemballa would never want a repeat of. It was in February when Uwe Gemballa, the founder of this high-end tuning company, was reported missing.
Sadly, his body was found a few months later, ending speculation of where he was and what had happened. With news of the company filing for bankruptcy and all operation coming to an immediate halt, it looked as if the days of ever seeing a new creation from Gemballa had gone.
Thankfully the company lives under the management of its new CEO Andreas Schwarz, and they have just released a new model, called the Tornado.
Named after the British fighter jet by the same name, the Tornado keeps with their tradition of naming their cars after fighter jets – like the Porsche Carrera GT variant called the Mirage and the Ferrari Enzo variant called the MiG.
Their newest model is based on Porsche‘s latest generation Cayenne model. Obviously it has a new body kit, which gives this SUV a very angry stance. With its gaping mouth, vertical LED lights and huge nostrils, if you see this coming in your rearview mirror, just do the sensible thing and get out of its way.
But there is more to its looks than its looks suggests. Gemballa has used its knowledge in producing bits out of carbon-fiber, so as a result, not only does the Tornado look different, it weighs less too, and that is without compromising its safety features. In total, the Tornado is 154 lbs lighter than its Cayenne sibling.
Oh, and it has more power too. Gemballa says they are working on a stage two engine modification for this motor and will see a power output of around 700 hp and 738 ft-lbs of torque. Thankfully, upgraded Brembo brakes will also be available to stop all this fury.
Prices for the Tornado has not been announced yet, but if you want one you’ll need to hurry, only 30 are planned for production.
The body of German businessman and world-renowned Porsche tuner Uwe Gemballa has been found in South Africa. According to a report by the Sunday Times, Gemballa was bound and shot execution style. It is believed authorities were lead to the body by two men who were arrested in connection with his disappearance earlier this week.
Earlier this year Gemballa was reported missing after a trip to South Africa and his Porsche tuning company has since been taken over and re-launched by another group of businessmen.
After allegations that Gemballa may have been trying to avoid a tax evasion charge it appears as though the real story might be even more sinister. According to the times, “The discovery of his body threatens to blow wide open an international syndicate – stretching from Switzerland and Germany to Johannesburg – involving alleged money laundering, tax evasion, imported cars stuffed with cash and contract killings.”
[Source: Sunday Times]
And just like that, it’s officially official. Just a few days ago we heard through the grapevine that the Gemballa brand was indeed coming back with a new CEO and investors, and with a few typed words from their PR personnel, it’s official. Interestingly enough, Andreas Schwarz (new CEO of Gemballa) has been in control since August 16th, reserving the rights of the old company that had already been liquidated. Schwarz chose to shut that one down and founded Gemballa GmBH.
Schwarz comes from a background of upgrading and marketing luxury high-class automobiles and is a “sports car expert.” (Whatever that means). We’re hoping he’s more of a “run a successful business expert” so that the Gemballa brand lives on past a couple of years once the initial investment funding has run dry. They seem to be starting out big however, with 22 employees and development on Porsche‘s Panamera and Cayenne.
The showroom is officially open in Leonberg for customers looking to customize their luxury high-class automobile. Gemballa will be switching to a parts manufacturer and stressing research and development on body kits, wheels, brakes and suspension components. We wish them all the best of luck and we really hope to see bigger and better products out of Gemballa without any of the drama. Let’s save that for an episode of Jersey Shore shall we?
GALLERY: Gemballa’s Fresh Start
Official press release available after the break.
Back in May, we thought it was the end of Gemballa when Uwe Gemballa went missing (in February) and his wife filed bankruptcy on the company. Most everyone believed that this would be the end of the beloved Gemballa brand but it looks like it won’t fade into the darkness that easily. What is interesting though is that this resurgence of the Gemballa brand will have nothing to do with its original owners and founders being that Uwe Gemballa is still missing.
Andreas Swartz and Steffen Korbach have stepped in, buying the rights to the Gemballa brand along with whatever was lying around. Swartz will be acting as the CEO of the new Gemballa and both plan on making announcements on Monday that will push Gemballa towards more of a true aftermarket manufacturer. They also have plans on tuning the Porsche Panamera and Cayenne in addition to Ferrari’s Enzo.
Instead of offering full out vehicles or stand-alone sets of wheels, Swartz and Korbach are aiming towards Gemballa-branded products that can be purchased as components so enthusiasts can build the cars themselves. Whether or not this is the best direction for Gemballa to go, it’s certainly the most profitable way. It’s easy to see much of the prestige will be diminished of owning anything Gemballa now that anyone can get their hands on it piece-by-piece, but hey – it’s the smart thing to do. We’re just more curious to see how the design of the products will look under new vision. Guess the drama of Gemballa continues…stay tuned!
[Source: Motor Trend]
Well, we probably could have called this one. German super-tuner Gemballa finally closed up shop this week, ending a 30-year reign as one of Europe’s top tuners. Gemballa was known as one of the most outrageous tuners of Porsches and Ferrari’s, and with cars like the Mirage GT and Avalanche GTR800, have proven themselves absolutely bonkers when it comes to making fast cars faster. Their most recent project, the questionably-styled, Enzo-based Mig-U1, sought to show that the fastest of Ferrari’s was actually built in Germany.
Things went south for Gemballa quickly, the down economy in 2008 hurt Gemballa’s bottom line, and may have led to the strange disappearance of company founder Uwe Gemballa in Africa. The last known communication from Gemballa, he requested a transfer of a large sum of money, which pretty much says it all.
It seems like only yesterday that Ferrari unveiled the Enzo as the pinnacle of all that an automobile could stand for and achieve. It was thought untouchable, both in terms of competition and modification. Oh how times have changed.
Dedicated Porsche tuner Gemballa has decided to try its hand at the ultra-exclusive world of Ferrari tuning, and we have the first images of what is known as the MIG-UI Enzo. The car was built for brothers Mustafa and Illyas Galadari of The Illyas and Mustafa Galadari Group – Gemballa’s Middle East distributor. The Gemballa Enzo is named after the brothers, with Mustafa’s name coming first because he donated his personal Enzo to the project.
We have to say the Star Wars-inspired body is definitely extreme (just how they like it in Dubai). Inside the cockpit gets a luxurious overhaul, a significant upgrade from the Enzo’s basic factory equipment. The car is scheudeld to be officially unverield at a private event in Dubai and hopefully then we’ll have some info on what (if any) modifications were made to the 6.0-liter V12 engine. Normally we’d say such a powerplant is untouchable, but there is the lone example of of the Edo Competition/ZR Auto Enzo, which is powered by an 840-hp FXX motor.
GALLERY: Gemballa MIG-UI Enzo
[Source: BespokeVentures]
In true Gemballa fashion, the German Porsche tuner has just released details of its extreme ‘Mistrale’ transformation for the new 2010 Porsche Panamera.
Taking hints from the classic 911 design as well as from the company’s own Mirage GT (a modified Carrera GT), the Mistrale features a new front bumper with a gaping front air inlet. The new bumper also features a new carbon fiber lip, as well as a new vented hood to keep the big V8 engine cool under extreme operation. Gemballa has added wider fenders to help make room for a set of massive 22-inch wheels. Out back a new rear bumper with integrated diffuser also features four integrated exhaust pipes.
To further improve the performance of the Panamera, Gemballa offers a 6-piston front brake kit with massive 16.5-inch rotors and 4-piston calipers with 15-inch rotors behind.
Also available is reprogrammed unit for the air suspension that helps the Panamera sit 40mm (almost 2-inches) lower. There is also an available coilover suspension for more extreme performance.
And speaking of extreme performance, Gemballa will offer engine packages for the Panamera with output of up to 750hp – a 50 percent increase over the Panamera Turbo’s stock 500hp!
GALLERY: Gemballa Mistrale
Official release after the jump:
If you’re familiar with German Porsche-tuner Gemballa’s modified Carrera GT, the Mirage GT, stop reading.
No really; just shuffle through the gallery of photos below and be done with it. We’re the first to admit that there isn’t much new with Gemballa’s Gold Edition of the car, but it sure is worth a look.
In standard trim the Mirage GT gets plenty of carbon fiber bodywork and a slight power boost, bringing the 5.7-liter V10 engine to 670hp. This is good for an improved 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds, versus a 3.9 for the stock car. The top speed also gets a bump from 205 to 208 mph.
What makes this particular model the Gold Edition is, well, all the gold. The Mirage GT sports gold center-locking wheels, gold painted side skirts, a gold air intake, gold trunk lid, gold brak ecalipers, gold brake vents and gold mirrors. Even the engine bay gets the gold treatment. And don’t forget the interior. There you’ll find gold painted air vents adn even the HVAC and shifter surround.
Not being overly stuck on tradition, Gemballa also tossed the birch/ash shift knob (used on the Carrera GT in homage to the Porsche 917) in favor of a carbon fiber unit.
Gemballa says it will build just five of these Gold Edition model to retain their exclusivity, but we bet they only build one. Still, we have to hand it to Gemballa for pumping out this many versions of the Mirage GT, especially considering Porsche only ever built 1,270 Carrera GTs.
No pricing has been released but knowing Gemballa we’re sure this special edition Mirage GT costs about the same as its weight in gold.
GALLERY: Gemballa Mirage GT Gold Edition
A regular at the Top Marques Monaco show, German Porsche tuner and car manufacturer Gemballa is back again for 2009 with an expectedly outrageous creation. It might not be the sparkly bass-boat Mirage GT (based on the Porsche Carrera GT) that Gemballa had on show last year, but the Tornado GTS is sure to get a lot of looks.
Based on the new 957-chassis Cayenne Turbo, it has been transformed into a widebody beast with a certifiably unique new front end. Coated in a matte-black paint (or what Gemballa calls gunmetal matte-gray), the body of the car also features plenty of carbon fiber accents. The SUV also rolls on Gemballa’s latest wheel design, the Tornado GT Sport Forged.
Under the new hood (which flips forward by the way) is the Porsche Cayenne Turbo 4.8-liter twin-turbo engine which has been upgraded to produces no less than 750hp.
Inside the Cayenne has been transformed to the same extent as the outside, something which is hinted about in the Gemballa designation. Technically called the Tornado GTS 750 4, this SUV is now a four-seater and treats every occupant with the same level of Alcantara-coated luxury.
For more information visit:
GALLERY: Gemballa Tornado GTS 750 4
There isn’t a lot new (or a lot know) about this “new” Carbon Edition of Gemballa’s Mirage GT, but it sure is nice to look at.
What we do know is that Gemballa is claiming an output of 670hp, which us up 58 ponies over the stock 612hp output. That is enough says Gemballa to get the supercar to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds – 0.2 seconds faster than stock. It’s also 0.2 seconds faster to 125 mph, at just 9.7 seconds. Top speed is rated at an impressive 208 mph!
As this is the Carbon Edition, we expect the vehicle to come with carbon aero bits, including a carbon fiber front splitter, carbon rear spoiler and diffuser and even a carbon fiber air intake tunnel and roof.
As with the other Mirage GT models, performance mods will include a Gemballa exhaust system and the car will also use Gemballa’s own 19-inch center-locking wheels.
We’ve loved almost every version of the Carrera GT that has come out and it’s impressive when you consider Porsche only produced 1,270 Carrera GTs, that so many Gemballa versions have been produced.
For more Mirage GT’s in all sorts of colors, visit the Gemballa site here: