Apollo (Germany) - AllCarIndex

Apollo was a German automobile manufacturer that operated from 1910 to 1927, initially established as A. Ruppe & Sohn AG in Apolda. In 1912, the company rebranded to Apollo-Werke AG, reflecting its focus on producing automobiles. The brand gained recognition with the introduction of the Typ B, designed by Karl Slevogt, which featured a 960cc overhead valve 4-cylinder engine, producing 14 PS. This model was soon followed by the Typ F, equipped with a larger 2040cc engine generating 28 PS.

Throughout its production years, Apollo achieved several successes in motorsport, often with Slevogt himself as the driver. The company expanded its lineup to include larger models, such as the Typ K and Typ L, which were powered by side-valve engines and produced between 1912 and 1914. After World War I, Apollo revived its smaller models, continuing production until 1925, including a 2597cc variant that produced 40 PS.

Notably, the Apollo 4/14PS was recognized for featuring the first German-made swing axle at the front. Some models were also fitted with Jaray streamlined bodies, showcasing innovative design elements of the time. In 1921, a prototype V8 engine was developed, producing 50 PS, but it never entered mass production. The final models produced by Apollo included the 1221cc 5/25 PS, derived from the earlier 4/14, and the 1550cc 6/24 PS, which was the first to utilize a proprietary side-valve engine from Steudel.