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Image credits: © Donkervoort.
2012 Donkervoort D8 GTO news, pictures, and information | ||
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Donkervoort GTO: 'experience' has a new meaning
Donkervoort is presenting a new generation of sports cars
The devotees have been waiting anxiously. Now it's here! After two and a half years of development Donkervoort Automobielen in Lelystad - in close collaboration wîth Audi Quattro GmbH - has presented the next generation of open sports cars: the Donkervoort GTO.
A combination of beautiful shape, the latest auto techniques and the ultimate experience. With a capacity of 340 to 400 HP and a torque of 450 Nm from about 1600 RPMs. And all this wîth a total weight of around 700 kilos. Without a doubt one of the fastest sports cars on the European market. And, wîth the first private preview for Donkervoort Ambassadors from all over Europe, received so enthusiastically that within a few hours approximately half of the first 25 specially designed GTOs were sold.
The GTO is clearly a size larger than its predecessors, the closed GT and the open D8 270RS. About 35 centimetres longer and 15 centimetres wider, to be exact. Necessary to accommodate the massive, longitudinally placed, five cylinder 340 hp 2.5 TFSI Audi motor and at the same time realise an astonishing balance in the design. The GTO is therefore a brand-new designed car. Only sharing 5% of the parts wîth the D8 270RS and about 30% wîth the much more recent GT. A milestone in the 34-year history of Donkervoort. With techniques directly derived from the aviation and aerospace . The first in a new generation of Donkervoort automobiles, according to Joop Donkervoort. The reason he also put the chassis number back to '0' starting wîth the GTO.
The first 25 specially designed GTOs are also equipped wîth a 2.5 TFSI motor, which is 30 kg lighter than the standard Audi variant. Joop Donkervoort about this: 'This weight savings is obtained by redesigning several accessory parts of the motor together wîth the Audi technicians. For example, amongst others a new intake manifold was developed. Because the intake follows a more favourable route through the motor area it is not only lighter, but has a favourable effect on the achievements of the motor as well. The dashboard in this design of the GTO is equipped wîth a special race module switch, which can increase the capacity from 340 to 400 HP at once. Connected to this is another Donkervoort novelty: the first car from Lelystad that has 'traction control' on board. Only for when it is raining of course.'
But this too does not end the renewal of the GTO. By joining the steel tubular frame wîth large carbon composite panels wîth glue, a unique combination of (significantly increased) rigidity and ultra-light weight was created. The carriage work also consists completely of carbon composite wîth as unique invention a one piece door (including integrated hinges), which can withstand a sideways blow of about 1500 kilos and of which the hinges can withstand a force of more than 1100 kilos .... wîth a total weight of only 980 gramms!! A technique derived from the aviation and never before applied in a car. Which is also true for the locking devices of the aluminium bonnet. Derived from the American rocket , where low weight, easy operation and smooth finishing - just like at Donkervoort - are of essential importance. In addition the undercarriage of the car has been thoroughly revised, the front axle has been equipped wîth a totally new anti-roll bar and the rear axle construction - to give the GTO extra stability - has a completely new design.
Donkervoort stands for experience, and that term has received a new meaning wîth the GTO. Tests wîth the first sample have incontrovertibly proven this. Even though it appears this car is amazingly well manageable. The production of the new car starts in 2012, whereby it is expected that the first specially designed GTOs will be delivered in the summer. The first 'regular' versions are expected on the European roads starting in 2013. The price of the new GTO is between € 100,000 and € 150,000 excluding taxes.Source - Donkervoort
Success of the D8 GTO has produced a stream of premium pre-owned Donkervoort cars
The recent introduction of the new Donkervoort D8 GTO has resulted in a veritable influx of premium pre-owned Donkervoort cars on the market. A significant number of D8 GTOs have since been ordered, the upshot of which is that a number of very recent ‘full option' cars have been traded in. The majority of these cars can be seen on the Donkervoort Úsed Car Site , which features exceptionally attractive prices as well. In addition, the offer includes a number of cars from outside the Netherlands that are exempt from the Dutch BMP (Private Motor Vehicle Tax).This is an absolute record number of pre-owned cars for Donkervoort Automobiles. Never before have so many existing cars become available following the introduction of a new model. Also unique is that so many premium Donkervoorts are included among the trade-ins. With as knock-on effect that relatively speaking –due the intra-group competition- the prices of these pre-owned cars are at an extremely attractive level. This makes the introduction of the GTO a significant event for other Donkervoort drivers as well.
The introduction of the GTO has also generated a lot of attention in the Netherlands and abroad. Car magazines, newspapers and leading websites around the world have reported about the newest Donkervoort model. And the reactions show that the GTO has been received internationally as intended: the first of the next generation of open sports cars. Not only the ratio between power and weight was cited, but the design and construction of the cars were emphatically referred to as remarkably exceptional. Consequently, many a car journalist has stated wîth excitement that they are lòòking forward to the official press presentation in May/June of this year, where they will be able to judge the new car for themselves.
Naturally, the latter also applies to all Donkervoort drivers who have already ordered ‘their' GTO. The first 25 cars (to be built in 2012) will be delivered in a special edition: wîth a 30 kg lighter engine and a special switch on the dashboard for upgrading from 340 to 400 bhp in one go, all meant to give new meaning to the Donkervoort experience.Source - Donkervoort| BOSCH INTRODUCES POWER MAX FIRST SUB-$450 ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING STATION | |
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