The Donkervoort D8 is Another Killer Application of Audi’s I-5
The Donkervoort D8 is basically a Lotus Seven that’s been possessed by Satan — and it rocks Audi power.
Last week, I wrote a post about the KTM X-Bow GTX, where I said it was a “top contender for the coolest car rocking Audi power.” Now, I’ll admit that’s a bold statement, especially given how much wicked hardware the folks over in Ingolstadt turn out on the regular. But I happen to think it’s true.
That said, I just discovered another machine which might be able to give the X-Bow a run for its money when it comes to the cool factor. Meet the Donkervoort D8 GTO-JD70.
The name sounds suspiciously like something Google would suggest as a secure password, but if you can forget about nomenclature — and you should — this track-only beast has loads going for it. Looking at the sheet metal, you might think that baby looks like a Lotus Seven that’s been thoroughly and enthusiastically possessed by Satan. And you wouldn’t be far off, as Donkervoort founder Joop A. Donkervoort actually got his company off the ground by modifying Colin Chapman’s iconic lightweight. So there’s some vestigial DNA in the profile of this Dutch treat.
To cut to the chase, the specs on this baby are straight bonkers. Curb weight is a Chapman-esque 1,598 pounds, or roughly 400 pounds less than a Lotus Elise weighed when they were available new in America. In this application, Audi’s turbocharged 2.5-liter five-pot has been tuned to produce 415 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, which means the sprint from zero to 60 takes a scant 2.7 seconds. Drivers shift using a six-speed sequential gearbox, are held in place by six-point harnesses, and stop by using six-piston brakes. In reference to my comment above, that’s three sixes. Just saying.
On the skidpad, the D8 will pull over 2 Gs of lateral acceleration, which means if you’re going to exhaust even a fraction of its performance potential, you’ll have to be in wicked shape. To help keep all that potential from turning drivers into a crimson stain on the wall, there are Nankang racing slicks to keep drivers on the racing line, and competition-grade ABS to keep the speeds in check.
So if you could choose between the Donkervoort and the KTM, which would you pick to be the backbone of your privateer race team? I’d likely go with the the KTM, but would likely opt for a road-legal version of the D8 for open-topped corner carving on public roads.
But maybe you think I’m wrong? If so, shoot me a message and let me know, and watch the video below for a guided tour of this amazing track weapon!
Photos: Donkervoort