Monday 19th December 2011

Donkervoort unveils new D8 GTO

400hp from Audi five-cylinder for new Dutch lightweight

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It might be no oil painting, but this Donkervoort D8 GTO, the latest creation from the Dutch specialist sports car maker, would probably be a tad more effective at a track day than the Mona Lisa.

At around 350mm longer and 150mm wider than its predecessor, the D8 GTO is no longer particularly tiny, but at 700kg it's still pretty lightweight, a weight that comes courtesy of a steel-tube frame is wrapped in carbon panels and a one-piece door that swings up, Lamborghini-style.

And there's a good reason for the car's increased size - it's been designed to accommodate the five-cylinder 2.5-litre turbocharged engine from the Audi TT RS. That means a 340hp power output (with 400hp available at the flick of a switch) and torque at a healthy 332lb ft from just 1600rpm.

It's also the first Donkervoort to be fitted with traction control. 'Only for when it is raining ,of course," says Donkervoort's press release...

An initial run of 25 cars is already half sold, and if you want to get your hands on one of them you'll need between 100,000 euros (£84k) and 150,000 euros (£126k) - before taxes. Not cheap, then. Production of this first batch begins next year, with 'regular' cars (of an engine as yet unknown) following on in 2013.

[M400 NBL]

If ever a ring time was required, this would be one of them.

[theJT]

Is it wrong that I really like the look of this thing? Well... the front anyways.

[dinkel]

That looks like Beng! to me.

0-60 in 3 sec . . . 255 kmh! Bloody scary IYAM.

http://www.donkervoort.nl/en/donkervoort-cars/mode...

[Dave Hedgehog]

it looks like the automotive equivalent of the first things that came out of the sea to live on land

fugly!!

[LuS1fer]

Vaguely Plymouth Prowlerish at the front.

[Mini1275]

I think it's a cracking looking thing.

I bet it's a great drive, too.

[PhilJames]

I think I'd rather have a Caterham and buy a brand new XK/Supercar with the change.

[rev-erend]

They really have reworked it .. used to be soo ugly.

It's now just ugly

[rottie102]

I NEED that in my life.

So much WANT....

[Mr Whippy]

It's probably fairly nice, but none of those photos does it justice in my opinion.

Too wide angle and low perspectives make it look a bit odd shaped to me.

Dave

[ellisd82]

I don't think it looks too bad. Cetainly has potential performance figures to make it a worthy stead in the dream garage.

[CaptainSensib1e]

Oh baby, that is awesome! Another one for the lottery list...

[Chebs]

Isn't that a slightly modded Aspid?

[Mavican]

Needs side pipes.

Its one of those on the to drive list.

[BMWill]

looks like an expensive toy! a nice one though... reminds me of the panoz roadster...

can't we get a side view of it??

[Chris71]

Chebs said:

Isn't that a slightly modded Aspid?

No. I'm pretty sure the older Donkervoort (which don't look that dissimilar) pre-date the Aspid by some way.

Interesting car and that engine is a cracker.

[thinfourth2]

Think how many golf diesels you could buy for that kind of money

[urquattro]

My RS2 yes, that thing NO and more ugly than a drunk mother-in-law,and its more expensive than a divorce settlement.

[PhilJames]

urquattro said:

My RS2 yes, that thing NO and more ugly than a drunk mother-in-law,and its more expensive than a divorce settlement.

[DazBock]

Other than the chrome front teeth I actually think it looks quite good, I especially like the headlights hidden away like that.