With its build number limited to just 30 cars, the GEMBALLA MISTRALE will always be a rare commodity. Named after the Mistral, a strong wind that blows over long distances, this superlative sports saloon, based on the Porsche Panamera Turbo, is designed to cover tarmac rapidly while cosseting its four occupants. The decision to adopt bespoke carbon-fibre bodywork gave GEMBALLA the opportunity to change aspects of the base cars design to a greater than usual extent. Matching the bold exterior is a plush cabin tailored to each client’s individual requirements. With a totally bespoke choice of materials, a wide palate of hues, and extensive optional equipment on offer, cars come no more exclusive than the GEMBALLA MISTRALE. Each of these hand-built cars is an autograph of its owner’s individuality, and a symbol of the close co-operation forged between GEMBALLA and its valued clients in the creation of automotive masterpieces. Thus, the MISTRALE’s side profile takes significant styling cues from the AVALANCHE, while its rear, featuring four distinctive recessed tail-lights, and prominent diffuser insert with four big, round exhaust outlets, is totally unique.
Choosing a GEMBALLA car is making a statement that can be further underlined by a matching bespoke interior. When it comes to a personal choice of colour and trim materials, the sky is the limit. High-quality leather and fine fabrics – plain or patterned – add to the feeling of unbridled luxury, and even the smallest switches and panels can be covered in fine leather or colour-coded. Trim insert panels in aluminum, stainless steel, carbon, wood, or even diamonds can all be handcrafted to complete a unique interior portrait. The experience and attention to detail of GEMBALLA’s master craftsmen and upholsterers guarantees a perfect result that will surprise and delight the owner. This is automotive haute couture at its finest. GEMBALLA’s bespoke programme also accommodates audiophiles and fans of technology, and anything from state-of-the-art multi-media to a built-in fridge to cool your champagne can be integrated into an interior.
With its role as supreme four-seater sports saloon rather than a hard-core super sportscar, the chassis of the MISTRALE has to strike a fine balance between performance and comfort. The race-style double wishbone front suspension coupled to the multi-link rear axle, and sprung by a sophisticated air suspension system are a good jumping off point. Meanwhile, the standard all-wheel drive system provides optimum all-weather traction. The hugely powerful brake system, designed exclusively for GEMBALLA by Brembo, quickly hauls the MISTRALE down from the lofty velocities it can so rapidly attain. The massive cross-drilled and grooved 411mm and 380mm diameter vented front and rear discs are clamped by six and four-piston calipers respectively. Each caliper is milled from a solid alloy billet, F1 style, and weighs just 3.0 kg, less than half of its OE equivalent. A supplementary ram air ventilation system further enhances brake cooling. GEMBALLA’s lightweight obsession naturally extends to the 22-inch wheels that set their own standards. Using an elaborate forging process, several technical improvements in weight reduction and improved strength have been set.
While its aesthetics are inspired by smooth airflow, the MISTRALE’s design is also led by technical requirements. Thus, each of the subsidiary intakes flanking the large central intake directs additional cooling air to the brakes, and has a distinctive vertical array of three LED daytime running lights placed outboard. As with a racecar, vents behind the front wheel arches release the air pressure build-up in the wheel housings that otherwise cause drag. This is a feature shared with the GEMBALLA AVALANCHE, along with the deep-drawn recesses in the doors that show off the black carbon-fibre weave. Finally, the tail treatment features distinctive rear light graphics, a recessed carbon-fibre design element, and a large carbon-fibre diffuser insert with four large machined-from-billet exhaust outlets. New front and rear bumpers, bonnet, front and rear wings, doors, side skirts and the outer skin of the tailgate are made from carbon-fibre in Germany. To ensure a perfect fit to the original attachment points, and perfect alignment of all the panels, state-of-the-art digital measuring equipment was used to digitise every dimension of the standard car.
Extensive wind tunnel testing has led to a negative lift situation at high speeds, so the MISTRALE is balanced, stable and predictable. To whip up a powerful storm in keeping with its name, GEMBALLA developed a power package for the new Turbo featuring a revised air inlet system, high efficiency intercoolers, larger capacity purpose-built turbochargers, a high-flow exhaust system with sport catalytic converters, and a remapped ECU. The resulting 750 hp/552 kW is a 44 percent power increase over the base vehicle. Along with a stump-pulling 980 Nm of torque (electronically limited), the extra horses rocket the MISTRALE to 62 mph in just 3.3 seconds, and on to over 210 mph. While you can subjectively feel the enhanced speed and power of the uprated motor, every single one of these horses has to stand up and be counted on GEMBALLA’s chassis dynamometer. The resulting printout is signed and presented to the car’s owner upon delivery. It is also real engineers’ machine, in which functional elements that enhance performance have been translated into a fascinating and unique car.
