It is a turning point in electromobility. Today the company Gumpert AIWAYS under the leadership of CEO, engineer and chief developer Roland Gumpert presents the first series model of the Roland Gumpert Nathalie with a hydrogen / electricity producing methanol fuel cell. "It was my idea of an electric car that does not stop when the battery is empty, which has brought us on this path. A year later, we present you with the world's first production vehicle with a methanol fuel cell that is independent of charging stations or special hydrogen filling stations”Says Roland Gumpert CEO of Gumpert AIWAYS. In the evolution to the production model, many characteristic points were worked on compared to the prototype version presented last year. The most striking feature is the doors, which are designed as “scissor door” cars in this class of super sports coupé with purebred sports car genes.
from show car to series production
"The further development from show car to series production gives the designer the possibility to question his own creation, to develop unique and important elements and to harmonize the aesthetics of the entire design. When developing the series design of the Nathalie, technical constraints helped to refine the proportions of the vehicle and to sharpen the front and side lines. The vehicle has grown in exactly the right places. A perfect interplay of design and technology"Says Lorenz Loew chief designer / ideas for Gumpert AIWAYS. Roland Gumpert. They act as unique inspiration for the volume models of the AIWAYS group. This alliance between chief developer Roland Gumpert, chief designer Lorenz Loew and AIWAYS chief designer Ken Okuyama shows the future-oriented effectiveness of the German-Chinese joint venture from Ingolstadt.
Use of biological lightweight materials
The use of lightweight biological materials such as flax is particularly progressive. In contrast to the previous carbon outer skin of the prototype series, the “First Edition” uses up to 50% of this material. The currently presented series version has a 15 kW methanol fuel cell that continuously generates hydrogen from methanol and thus generates electricity. This enables city trips and trips on the country road almost without using the backup battery. The energy capacity of the overall system consisting of methanol power cell with 65l tank and buffer battery is 178 kWh. The vehicle is refueled like conventional cars in three minutes with the simplest infrastructure. The acceleration from 0-100 is 2,5 seconds and the top speed is 2 km / h thanks to two synchronized 300-speed gearboxes.
Trellis frame with roll cage
Typically Roland Gumpert, this vehicle is of course ready for the race track. An FIA-compliant space frame with roll cage and the 4-wheel drive ensure the necessary performance. The vehicle can be filled with commercially available methanol. The supply is free of charge for customers in the first year after delivery. An overnight delivery service has been installed for the exclusive customer base for Germany, Austria and Switzerland and is currently being expanded across Europe. The regions of North America and the Middle East are currently being developed as well. Organization and sales are carried out by the field marketing specialist FMS as part of the international Advantage Smollan Group.
Nathalie "First Edition" for a price from € 407.000
The Nathalie "First Edition" is a special edition to mark the product launch. The lavish special equipment and special paintwork of this edition is included in the base price for this first series. The vehicles will be launched worldwide at a price of €407.000 ex works. The "First Edition" is strictly limited within the Nathalie series. A total of a maximum of 500 Roland Gumpert "Nathalie" vehicles, including the "First Edition", will be built for the global market. The first vehicles will be available from the first half of 2021. If we receive any further information on further details in the near future, there will of course be an update to this report.
(Photo/s: Gumpert Aiways Automobile GmbH)
Or are you particularly interested in the vehicles that would have been presented at the Geneva Auto Show? If it hadn't been for the Corono virus.
Gumpert Nathalie "First Edition" 2020
Gumpert Nathalie Race 2020
