Donkervoort D8 GTO-JD70
Donkervoort from the Netherlands has become known and famous for exciting sports cars with little weight and more than adequate power. Joop Donkervoort founded the company together with his wife 42 years ago and celebrated his 70th birthday himself in 2019. On this occasion, his son Denis, who has joined the management of the sports car manufacturer in recent years, announced a special birthday model in the form of the D8 GTO-JD70. Due to various circumstances, not least the Corona pandemic, the debut of this vehicle was postponed to June 2020, but the wait was undoubtedly worthwhile for customers and interested parties. The GTO-JD70 is the wildest road-legal creation from Lelystad to date.
As with all D8 GTOs, the birthday model JD70 also features a 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine with turbocharging under the removable bonnet, which they purchase at Audi. However, the engines are given their own independent tuning, resulting in an increase in output to 310 kW/415 hp and 520 newtonmeters of torque. In conjunction with the manual five-speed gearbox with rev-matching function when downshifting, together with full throttle upshift mode and the low total weight of just 700 kilograms, it takes 2.7 seconds to accelerate from a standing start to 62 mph, 7.7 seconds to go to 124 mph and on to a topspeed of 174 mph. Traction control adjustable in several modes allows the driver to choose how much driving assistance he needs. In addition, after a somewhat longer period of time, sidepipe exhaust tips are celebrating their comeback at Donkervoort, in which catalytic converters and particle filters have actually been integrated. In this way Donkervoort achieves the strict EU6D-Temp emission standard. During the test drives, the chassis was already able to show what it is capable of.
The D8 GTO-JD70 is based on a tubular steel frame combined with carbon and aluminium components. All around, double wishbones are fitted with adjustable Intrax shock absorbers with coil springs and adjustable anti-roll bars. Directly behind the wheels are 310 millimeter brake discs with a wave pattern at the front and 285 millimeter brake discs at the rear. Six-piston calipers operate at the front axle, while single-piston calipers are fitted at the rear, although these can be optionally upgraded to six pistons as well. This brake system works with a racing ABS system from Bosch. Nankang AR-1 tyres in 235/45 17 (front) and 245/40 18 (rear) with a harder rubber compound compared to the semi-slicks used on other D8 GTO models ensure a longer life cycle of these tyres, but at the same time also allow more than 2G lateral acceleration. The adjustable motorsport power steering, available ex works for the first time, helps to achieve this.
By moving the exhaust system to the sides of the vehicle, the rear section could be redesigned to achieve more downforce. The new double diffuser alone increases downforce by 80 kilograms. Another 50 kilograms are added at the front axle by a modified nose and the air outlet slots in the front fenders. Donkervoort uses carbon and Kevlar for the bodywork. In addition to typical paint colors, visible carbon versions in matt and glossy finish are also available. Various components are produced using the Ex-Core process patented by Donkervoort Automobielen, which enables particularly angular transitions of the carbon components. A lithium-ion battery weighing only seven kilograms and new carbon racing seats as well as a multifuntion steering wheel with quick-release hub are used to reduce weight. In addition to the standard equipment features, there is a virtually unlimited range of modifications that every customer can order to individualize their personal car. In total, only 70 units of the D8 GTO-JD70 are being built. Deliveries started on 11 June 2020. In the Netherlands the basic price is 198,000 € (incl. 21% VAT).
Images: Donkervoort
