Industry news

The Donkervoort D8 May Just be The Coolest Dutch Sports Car

Perhaps the strangest sports car coming across our desk in a hot minute, the new Dutch Donkervoort D8 GTO-JD70, will certainly raise some eyebrows.

The vehicle look like a cross between a Mini Cooper and Captain Nemo’s six-wheeled Nautilus car from The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. If that doesn’t excite you then its power just might.

The Donkervoort has been fitted with Audi’s 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine producing 420 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque and a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission.

Since it’s been made largely of carbon fiber, it pairs that power with a weight of just 1,543 lbs (700 kg).

The Dutch company says this beast will go 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.7 seconds and reach 124 mph (200 km/h) in only 7.7 seconds. The D8 also has a top speed of 174 mph (280 km/h)!

So it’s quick in a line… but what about its handling? Well, with double-wishbone suspension, adjustable dampers and springs for each wheel, and a limited-slip rear differential, it’ll handle quite nicely.

In fact, Donkervoort say it will have you experiencing 2G around corners, which sounds just like that Venice scene in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Coincidence? I think not.

Well, this special celebratory edition of the D8 has been made in a limited run of 70, to match the founder, Joop Donkervoort’s, birthday. Each will cost at least about $185,400 (€163,636).

Related Articles

Back to top button