Donkervoort D8 GTO JD70

After the brand Donkervoort celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, it is now the company founder Joop Donkervoort who celebrated a round birthday. Just in time for his 70th birthday, the small sports car manufacturer presents the limited special edition D8 GTO JD70. Based on the popular and fast D8 GTO, this edition features an optimised version of Audi’s 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine. 420 hp and 520 newtonmeters of torque meet a kerb weight of less than 700 kilograms. The largest contribution to this is made by the specially patented EX-CORE technology with which Donkervoort manufactures the carbon fiber components for the body. These components meet all crash regulations for the EU-wide approval of small series vehicles.

When cornering, the D8 GTO JD70 achieves more than 2 g of lateral acceleration, according to the company. This is more than impressive for a road legal sports car on production tires. The longitudinal acceleration of 1.02 g also exceeds the gravitational pull on earth, and with a braking value of 1.65 g, every passenger is probably pleased with the standard four-point safety belts. Even hight g-values are possible with slick tires. Another technical delicacy is the transmission software developed by Bosch with rev-match function for downshifting and a new full-throttle upshift mode. The engine complies with the Euro 6d-Temp emissions standard thanks to a gasoline particle filter integrated into the exhaust system.

Compared to the normal D8 GTO, the JD70 has an extensively modified bodywork with a new front mask, air vents in the front fenders and a wider diffuser in the rear underbody, as the exhaust tails come out under the doors as sidepipes. The aerodynamic changes result in 50 kilograms of downforce on the front axle and 80 kilograms on the rear axle at high speeds.

Pre-orders for the D8 GTO JD70 can now be placed and already came in from the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, France, Luxembourg and the Lebanon. Donkervoort calls for a basic price of 163,636.36 € (plus taxes) for each of the 70 planned vehicles. The production will run from the beginning of 2020 until 2021. Interested parties and pre-orderers will receive final technical data shortly beforehand.

Images: Donkervoort