Donkervoort D8 GT Production Started

It has been quiet for awhile in regards to Donkervoort and in particular to their latest car, the Donkervoort D8 GT. The Dutch specialty manufacturer debuted their first closed sports car in their 30 year history at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show.

The Donkervoort D8 GT has been in development since 2004 when Donkervoort started with their first closed car experiments. In 2005 the prototype set some impressive times on the famed Nurburgring in Germany and from those experiences the Dutch marque developed the D8 GT from their existing D8 model. To clarify, the GT version is only based on the open top D8 since only the front part of the chassis has remained the same.

Of course the first thing you notice is the coupe-like roof and the butterfly doors. But also the front fascia has been thoroughly overhauled, now with integrated headlamps and larger air intakes, which favors the aerodynamics of the car. The wheelbase for the D8 GT model has grown by 8 cm over the D8.

Donkervoort has made extensive use of carbon fiber for the D8 GT roof and doors, resulting in a lighter weight than the rag-top D8. The weight of the D8 GT is now just 650 kg with the pleasant side effect that the car meets the most strictest emission regulations with ease.

Power comes from the 1.8 liter turbocharged Audi 4-cylinder engine producing 180, 210 or 270 horsepower. To finalize the car Donkervoort has specifically designed light-weight 17 inch wheel which weigh just 6.5 kg.

Donkervoort plans to build approximately 50 units per year and has them priced at Euro 90,000 excluding taxes. The first Donkervoort D8 GT should be ready by June 2008.