Donkervoort unleashes brutal D8 GTO
Lightweight roadster uses Audi TT-RS power to thrash out explosive performanceDonkervoort is renowned – albeit among limited circles – for its minimalistic Caterham-style road rockets, and now the Dutch carmaker has just revealed its most extreme creation to date.
The D8 GTO follows in the wheeltracks of the Donkervoort D8 GT and 270RS, but ups the ante via a 2.5-litre, five-cylinder engine sourced from the fiery Audi TT RS.
Rather than just slotting in the standard powerplant, Donkervoort has re-engineered it to reduce 30kg from its mass while boosting peak output to a beefy 295kW. The torque quota is also robust, with 450Nm on tap from just 1600rpm.
When you factor in the D8 GTO’s minnow-like kerb weight of 700kg, it’s hardly surprising performance is electrifying, with its maker quoting a 0-100km/h of circa-3sec and a top whack of 255km/h.
The dashboard has a special ‘race module’ that increases power from 250kW to 295kW at the flick of a switch and the D8 GTO is Donkervoort’s first car with traction control, which comes with the following proviso from the company: “Only for when it is raining of course”.
As per its stablemates, the newcomer uses a steel tubular chassis, which is clothed in
carbon composite body panels. However, the car’s huge performance potential and housing the longitudinally mounted turbo engine means it’s about 35cm longer and 15cm wider than the RS and GT.
The company claims aviation-derived design and manufacturing techniques have enabled the fabrication of elements such as the unique upward-swinging doors (including integrated hinges), which can withstand a sideways blow of about 1500kg despite weighing only 980 grams.
The aluminium bonnet and its locking devices are also derived from the American rocket industry, “where low weight, easy operation and smooth finishing -- just like at Donkervoort -- are of essential importance”.
The Dutch carmaker will start building the GTO in 2012, with the first examples reaching European customers in the northern summer, wearing a price tag between
€100,000 and €150,000 excluding taxes.
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
