This New Donkervoort Will Pull 2g Through The Corners
Joop Donkervoort, the man behind the Netherlands-based boutique carmaker Donkervoort, turns 70 this year. And to celebrate, the company has created a new model it says will surpass all other sports cars for cornering, the first ever to achieve 2g of lateral forces without spinning off the track.
Just 70 versions (get it?) of the Donkervoort D8 GTO-JD70 (whew!) will be built, and its numbers are startling. Yes, there’s that 2 g cornering; for comparison, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS hits the limit at just 1.24 g. But even straight lines will leave your neck sore, as it gets to 100kph in just 2.7 seconds, and 200kph in 7.7. An Audi-sourced 2.5-litre, turbocharged inline five cylinder engine delivers 415hp, with 560Nm (413lb ft) of torque available from 1,750rpm all the way to 6,350rpm.
Part of the car’s secret to acceleration and cornering comes from the fact it weighs less than 700kg, with more than 95 percent of the body made of carbon fibre. The chassis itself is a hybrid of steel tubing, aluminum and carbon fibre. Clever aerodynamic touches include louvres in the front wheel wings, delivering 50kg of downforce, and a second diffuser at the rear that adds about 80kg on top of even that!
Nankang AR-1 tires, special Donkovoort shock absorbers, Tarox six-piston brakes, available electric steering and adjustable traction control also help in keeping the JD70 on the road. A full Bosch Race ABS system is available for track days.
You won’t find many creature comforts inside the tight cockpit, but the standard equipment includes carbon fibre seats and a detachable steering wheel. Available options are a color digital display screen, complete with lap timing and Wi-Fi data logging, racing harnesses, and even a backup camera. Sorry, cup holders aren’t a part of the options sheet.
The real beauty here is that you can wish Joop a happy birthday but receive the gift for yourself. That is, of course, if you want to plunk down €198,000 (around $220K USD) or more for your very own D8 GTO-JD70.
*Images courtesy of Donkervoort
