Download Brochure GTO-RS
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
NO COMPROMISE DONKERVOORT GTO-RS DONKERVOORT STANDS FOR INDIVIDUALISTIC EXCLUSIVITY, A PENCHANT FOR TECHNOLOGICAL PERFECTION AND AN EXACTING DESIRE TO MAKE SOMETHING GOOD, MUCH BETTER YET AND EVEN LIGHTER. Just as in 1978, when Joop Donkervoort fi rst shaped his vision of what, to him, the ultimate automobile should be. While other cars have become increasingly electronic, larger and heavier we have always remained true to the pure driving experience and lightweight concept – on our own, swimming against the tide. The enormous benefi ts of the legendary light, nimble, agile Donkervoort sports cars are cherished by those who love pure driving. Truly something to be proud of. But we never let it go to our heads, because ‘perfect’ can always be improved. We bid you a warm welcome to the world of Donkervoort Automobielen. NO COMPROMISE. JOOP DONKERVOORT – TECHNICIAN, PERFECTIONIST, ARTIST How you describe a man who has spent more than 40 years of his life searching for perfection? On a quest for the fi nesse of what a true sports car should be? Who evolved from novice car builder in a simple barn to achieve the status of renowned sports car builder in a high-tech environment? Joop Donkervoort shares many characteristics with his similarly unconventional predecessors. Colin Chapman, whom he greatly admired, for example. True car afi cionados who dreamed of building their own concept of the perfect car – and ultimately made that dream come true. Yet retained their modesty through it all. As has Joop Donkervoort. All the more remarkable, then, how this small sports car manufacturer had the guts to recently introduce a new edition of a legend: the D8 GTO-RS. Successor to the superfast D8 270 RS, which held the lap record on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife for many years. Even faster, even lighter, purer still. Remaining true to the lightweight credo while other cars became larger and heavier. Self-reliant, swimming against the tide. Donkervoort in a nutshell. Only now have the others returned to their roots. The enormous benefi ts of the legendary light, nimble, agile Donkervoort sports cars are cherished by those who love pure driving. On Europe‘s most beautiful motorways and on the tracks. THE DREAM OF THE ULTIMATE SPORTS CAR I HAVE BEEN ENAMOURED WITH CARS SINCE CHILDHOOD. THE FIRST TIME I FELL HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE WAS AT AGE SIXTEEN AS I WAS CROSSING A CAR PARK AND LAID EYES ON THE LOTUS SUPER SEVEN (SERIES III). The brainchild of Colin Chapman is the epitome of what I then saw as the perfect car – ‘Simplify, then add lightness’. For years my school notebooks had been fi lled with cars of my own design, and this was close to my vision of the ultimate sports car. That fi rst encounter marked the beginning of a lifelong love story. Today I look back having spent more than 40 years of my life engaged in the wonderful, and sometimes diffi cult, search for perfection. The quest for the fi nesse of what a true sports car should be. Having started as a novice car builder in a simple barn, I am proud of our current status as internationally recognised super sports car builder. I dreamed, and dream still, of building what to my mind is the perfect sports car. Technology is not what drives me; it is simply a means to create an experience. Ultimately, what counts is the JOOP DONKERVOORT emotion, pleasure, relaxation... the feeling. FOUNDER DONKERVOORT AUTOMOBIELEN BV ‘YOU‘RE AS GOOD AS YOUR LAST CAR’ JOOP DONKERVOORT FOUNDER DONKERVOORT AUTOMOBIELEN A RICH HISTORY AN EVEN BRIGHTER FUTURE The history of Donkervoort goes back to 1978, the year the fi rst 1978 cars left the small workshop in Tienhoven. After the ‘failed’ purchase of the importership for Lotus Seven in the Netherlands, Joop Donkervoort decided to take the leap of faith, and a new sports car brand was born. Having started with the Donkervoort S7, things really took off for the new car maker after the introduction of the S8. In the early years, a total of around 140 Donkervoorts left the humble workshop in Tienhoven. In 1983, Donkervoort grew beyond the confi nes of its fi rst location and moved to a larger, yet still authentic, property in Loosdrecht. Since 1999, Donkervoorts have been fi tted with reliable, powerful, 1999 compact Audi engines – the D8 Audi was introduced. This was the result of a very amicable partnership, which continues to this day. Another major step followed in 2000 with the move from the small production facility in Loosdrecht to today‘s modern factory along the A6 motorway in Lelystad. Donkervoort also earned its stripes in the racing world. An annually recurring event for nearly ten years, the Donkervoort Cup was a racing class with and for enthusiastic and competition-minded Donkervoort drivers, with races throughout Europe. Subsequently, in 2004 and 2005, Donkervoort Racing broke the prestigious lap record at the German Nürburgring. On the North 2004/05 Loop, to be precise – Europe‘s most compelling and demanding race track. This was an unprecedented achievement for a ‘small player’ like Donkervoort and earned the company world renown. Donkervoort held the record for more than three years. In 2007, following the introduction of the D8 GT – the fi rst Donkervoort coupé – Donkervoort Racing took part in the brand new FIA GT4 Championship series. After claiming the vice-champion title, the focus was shifted to endurance racing. This led to competition in the 24H Dubai where Donkervoort surprised with a fi rst place win. In late 2011 a new generation of Donkervoorts was launched with the introduction of the D8 GTO – a revolution for Donkervoort and 2011 immediately received with great enthusiasm by the international press and public. Now even more high-tech, they were praised for their performance and the great driving experience. The GTO embodies the future of Donkervoort: a new generation, but still always ‘No Compromise’. The D8 GTO is a success and demand for the model grows steadily. In 2014, Donkervoort expanded and opened a new location in 2014 Germany, marking the further growth of the brand internationally. PHILOSOPHY THE ULTIMATE DRIVING EXPERIENCE When it comes to a Donkervoort, the ultimate driving experience is paramount. We use no electronic assists to simplify driving. You will not fi nd any ESP or power-assisted steering and brakes; our cars are pure and primal – and still always manually shifted. Driving a Donkervoort is the ultimate experience. Kilometre after kilometre. Donkervoorts are known for their phenomenal performance. The combination of attractive styling, ultra-low weight, high power and superb handling like that of a race car, has resulted in a super sports car that has made the hearts of countless car enthusiasts beat faster. At Donkervoort everything is dedicated to the pursuit of the ultimate driving experience in combination with excellence in quality, technology, styling and design. Ultimate sports cars, created for the true car enthusiast. DONKERVOORT STANDS FOR INDIVIDUALISTIC EXCLUSIVITY, A PENCHANT FOR TECHNOLOGICAL PERFECTION AND AN EXACTING DESIRE TO MAKE SOMETHING GOOD, MUCH BETTER YET AND EVEN LIGHTER ‘AS A DESIGNER AT DONKERVOORT I FOCUS NOT JUST ON STYLING BUT DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING AS WELL.’ JORDI WIERSMA, DESIGNER AT DONKERVOORT SINCE 2006 TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION Donkervoort cars are created entirely in-house, from the very fi rst sketch to the last detail. The entire car is made by hand, with plenty of passion and exceptional craftsmanship, at the Lelystad factory. Most of the components in a Donkervoort are developed and produced in-house, thus ensuring the continued unique character and high quality. The wealth of experience Donkervoort Automobielen has amassed in the development and integration of carbon fi bre/composite material, has led to many of our own innovations, which are now fully utilised in the production of our sports cars. Moreover, Donkervoort is also becoming an ever more successful technology supplier. The in-house developed, progressive, patented X-Core production method for carbon fi bre components is attracting great interest from both the automotive and non-automotive industries. MANUFACTURER FOR THE INDIVIDUALIST A Donkervoort is the ultimate choice for the true enthusiast who wants sheer motoring enjoyment in a sports car full of character. Donkervoort sports cars are carefully constructed by hand and made from high-quality parts, mostly developed and perfected in-house, with virtually unlimited customisation options. The possibilities for perfectly tailoring the car to your wishes and personality are endless: a special paint or an incomparable interior, or even the creation of yet more exclusive, further customised options and additions to the car. YOUR OWN, UNIQUE DONKERVOORT. WELCOME TO THE FAMILY AS A FAMILY BUSINESS, WE WELCOME YOU WITH OPEN ARMS. YOU CAN EXPECT PERSONAL SERVICE AND THE RENOWNED ‘DONKERVOORT FAMILY’ ATMOSPHERE. NOTHING MATTERS MORE TO US THAN ENSURING YOUR EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST IT CAN BE AND THAT YOU ACHIEVE OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE FROM YOUR DONKERVOORT. AFTER ALL, AS A DONKERVOORT DRIVER, YOU ARE OUR MOST IMPORTANT AMBASSADOR. DONKERVOORT D8 GTO-RS THE LATEST AND MOST EXTREME DONKERVOORT EVER The legendary RS is back! Every bit as ambitious as its predecessor, the D8 270 RS, which drew the world‘s attention when it set the lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 2004 and 2006. The next generation Donkervoort, the ultimate record breaker. Purer yet, even more extreme and faster than ever. Meet the Donkervoort D8 GTO-RS. UNLEASH THE BEAST KEY FACTS DONKERVOORT D8 GTO-RS Engine AUDI R5 2.5L TFSI Power 380++ BHP at 5500 rpm Acceleration 2.7 sec. 0-100 km/h – 7.8 sec. 0-200 km/h Lateral acceleration 2.3 g (g-force) Body 95% carbon fi bre Weight 695 kg LIMITED EDITION The Donkervoort D8 GTO-RS will be produced as a limited edition of 40 units.