Donkervoort D8 GTO next year

Seeing the portion part of a rocket on four wheels, the Donkervoort D8 GTO epitomizes all the qualities that are earmarks of a unique sports car. The steel tubular frame is joined by large carbon composites to bring out a wicked combination of increased rigidity and ultra-light weight. Engineers of the company also used some techniques from the aviation industry that have never before been applied to a car, including the use of carbon composite on a one-piece door that comes with integrated hinges. This door is capable of withstanding a force of over 1,100 kilos/2425 lbs, all while weighing in at a remarkable 980 grams.

The car’s aluminum bonnet was also designed to become lightweight and easily operational. Even the undercarriage of the car has been extensively modified to include a front axle that has been equipped with a totally new anti-roll bar and the rear axle construction.

The interior of the two-seater D8 GTO also speaks to its real purpose as a pure-bred race car. Lush amenities were disregarded in favor of a more straight-forward approach to performance, highlighted by a fully-equipped dashboard with a special race module switch and traction control.

The first 25 models of the Donkervoort D8 GTO are powered by a 2.5-liter TFSI Audi engine that produces 340 horsepower, which can then be bumped up to 400 horsepower, thanks to the aforementioned "race module" switch, and 331 lb/ft of torque. As for the rest of the models, Donkervoort has yet to announce what kind of power train will be included in those, but the word is that it’s going to be a more "standard" version compared to what these 25 models have.

Owning a Donkervoort D8 GTO, especially these first 25 models, won’t come cheap. According to the automaker, the price range for one is goes from €100,000 ($130,000 at the current rates) all the way up to €150,000 ($195,000 at the current rates).