Two and a half years of development between Donkervoort Automobielen in Lelystad with Audi Quattro GmbH has resulted with the introduction of the next generation of open sports car: The Donkervoort GTO.
Churning out 340 to 400 HP and a torque figure of 450 Nm from 1600 RPMs is the job of the Audi-sourced 2.5-litre TFSI motor- which is 30 kg lighter than the standard Audi variant in the first 25 units ever made. 340 hp doesn’t sound much, but consider this: It weighs in at 700 kilos. No wonder half of the first 25 specially designed GTOs were sold at the first private preview for Donkervoort Ambassadors in Europe.
The GTO is larger than its predecessors, the closed GT and the open D8 270RS – about 35 centimetres longer and 15 centimetres wider. The size gain is necessary to accommodate the Audi motor and for design purposes. In addition the undercarriage of the car has been thoroughly revised, the front axle has been equipped with a totally new anti-roll bar and the rear axle construction – to give the GTO extra stability.
Made from a steel tubular frame with large carbon composite panels glued together for a rigid and light weight foundation. The bodywork consists completely of carbon composite with a 0.98 kg one piece door (including integrated hinges), which can withstand a sideways blow of about 1,500 kg. On the engine savings, Joop Donkervoort had this to say: “This weight savings is obtained by redesigning several accessory parts of the motor together with 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 interior has two special features: A race module switch that increases the output from 340 to 400 hp, as well as traction control. Or as Joop describes, “only for when it is raining of course.”
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 (S$170,176) and € 150,000 (S$255,482) excluding taxes.
