Dutch Automaker Donkervoort has unveiled a special edition of its D8 GTO sports car. The D8 GTO Bilster Berg Edition was created to toast the firm's 2014 successes, including, it says, breaking the Bilster Berg circuit lap record for street-legal production cars. Just 14 of the cars will be made.
Donkervoort is not, perhaps, one of the more well-known car marques, but don't let that fool you. The company makes one of the top 10 fastest street-legal production cars to have lapped the Nürburgring Northern Loop, in the form of its D8 RS. Lamborghini, Ferrari, Pagani, Maserati, Mercedes, McLaren and Koenigsegg all trail in its wake, amongst others.
It will come as no surprise, then, to learn that the D8 GTO Bilster Berg Edition is no slouch either. The car is powered by an Audi 2.5L R5 TFSI engine that kicks out 380 bhp. Weighing only 685 kg (1,510 lb), it is able to make the most of that power. Donkervoort tells Gizmag that its top speed is in the region of 270 km/h (168 mph) and that it accelerates from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in around 2.8 seconds.
Donkervoort is noted for its lightweight and high-performance designs, as well as for shirking electronic driving assistance, such as ABS or power steering. Indeed, the D8 GTO Bilster Berg Edition, like the D8 GTO itself, is awash with carbon fiber to minimize weight. Even the carpets and seat leather are designed to be lightweight.
Elsewhere, the car features a new shock absorber developed in collaboration with Intrax and a stiffer chassis to help provide more grip. The striking hot-rod-like shape of the original vehicle remains, though, with its low profile, ravenous front grill and side-mounted exhaust pipes.
The D8 GTO Bilster Berg Edition is priced at €194,000 (US$223,000).
Source: Donkervoort
