Car Maker

HISTORY OF DONKERVOORT

donkervoort.com

Philosophy and Family


Joop Donkervoort – founder

How does one describe a man who has spent more than 30 years of his life seeking perfection? For the finesse that a true sports car must have? Who evolved from a start-up carmaker in a simple shed to the status of recognised sport car constructor in a high-tech environment? Joop Donkervoort shares many characteristics with those of equally self-willed predecessors. Of Colin Chapman he admires. Real car people who dreamed about building what they felt was the perfect car. And ultimately realised their dream.

In all modest by the way. Because that also typifies Joop Donkervoort. Even more sensational, how this small sports car maker had the guts to recently produce the world’s lightest GT in addition to the open version, well known from way back. Closed, larger, more power output but still ultra light. Which now wonderfully combines responsible car driving and extremely sporty performance.

Hanging on to the light weight credo while other cars are becoming larger and heavier. Under his own power against the flow. Typical Donkervoort. Only now are others retracing their steps. The enormous advantages of the legendary light, manoeuvrable and agile Donkervoort sports cars are cherished by aficionados of pure motoring. On Europe’s most beautiful motorways and on the tracks.

2nd generation Donkervoort

Donkervoort Automobielen is a family business. Besides Joop’s wife, Marianne, who has played a supporting role in the company from the beginning, the second generation of Donkervoorts came on board in 2008. Son Denis’ (26) responsibilities include sales and production within the company. He also manages Donkervoort Racing. Daughter Amber (29) handles the marketing and PR for Donkervoort. She is also responsible for Donkervoort Events, for which she regularly arranges events for customers as well as company visits to the Donkervoort factory.

Philosophy

When it comes to a Donkervoort, the ultimate driving experience is paramount. We don’t use any electronic assists to simplify driving – no ABS, no ESP, and no power steering. The ultra-stiff chassis and the specially designed suspension make driving and riding in a Donkervoort the ultimate experience, kilometre after kilometre.

Donkervoort sports cars 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 sports car that has made the hearts of countless car enthusiasts beat faster. At Donkervoort everything is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in quality, technology, styling and design. The current and very successful D8 GTO series is the result. Ultimate sports cars, created for the true car enthusiast.

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 a virtually unlimited choice of body colours and interior finishes.

What makes the Donkervoort unique is the possibility to have the car built according to your wishes. You can choose the colour of the body and the interior. Would you prefer leather or alcantara? A carbon fibre dashboard or preferably aluminium? A chassis or suspension specifically for racing, or more suitable for touring? The possibilities for perfectly tailoring the car to your wishes and personality are endless. Your own, unique Donkervoort.

Corporate

Since 2014, Donkervoort Automobielen has two locations – the factory in Lelystad and a second location at the German Bilster Berg Drive Resort.

Donkervoort Automobielen B.V. - Lelystad, The Netherlands


Donkervoort Automobielen B.V. is located at Pascallaan 96 in Lelystad, right alongside the A6 motorway. The modern building includes a spacious showroom, visible to passing traffic on the A6. Behind and partially above the showroom are the design studio, the management, sales and production planning departments, and the executive offices. Extending from the rear of the high building at the front is where the manufacturing space is situated; here the comfortably spacious layout and generous level of natural daylight combine to create an optimal working environment. At the back are the warehouse, the composite (carbon fibre engineering) and racing departments and the staff canteen on the first floor. The front end of the building houses the production area and the maintenance and repair department for customers’ cars.

Donkervoort Automobielen GmbH - Bilster Berg Drive Resort, Germany


Donkervoort Automobielen GmbH – 100% owned by Donkervoort Automobielen B.V. – is located in hall A2 at the Bilster Berg Drive Resort on Bilster Berg 1 in Bad Driburg. The Bilster Berg Drive Resort was opened in June 2013 and is a luxury test and events track, situated on the site of a former British Army ammunition depot in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The Donkervoort facility is located in one of the former munitions depots and has direct access to the 4.2-kilometre-long track. The 400 m² space includes a magnificent glass-fronted office area on the ground floor, with an open waiting area/balcony above that offers a wonderful view of the workshop. The workshop, with connection to the offices, is found behind the two large roll-up doors. Most striking here are the comfortably spacious layout, clean appearance and high ceilings. This area contains the warehouse, production area, and maintenance and repair department, as well as storage space for customers’ cars.

Donkervoort Automobielen is a completely independent company with no outside investors, making it exceptional within the automotive industry. Joop Donkervoort personally manages the company, which employs around 30 people.

At Donkervoort Automobielen we consider the experience with, and perception of, our products to be of great importance. In fact, we spend a lot of time sampling and enjoying the world of Donkervoort Automobielen ourselves. So it should come as no surprise that we organise various activities, including racing on national and international tracks and events in the Netherlands, Germany and beyond. Like Donkervoort Merchandising, all these activities contribute to ones immersion in and experience with the special Donkervoort sports cars.

The wealth of experience Donkervoort Automobielen has amassed in the development and processing of carbon fibre as an ultra-light, exceptionally strong material suitable for various technical applications has, above all, led to many of our own innovations, which are now fully utilised in the production of our sports cars. We established the Donkervoort design and engineering department as a means of sharing our expertise and know-how with third parties.

Line-up Model

Donkervoort D8 GTO


A Donkervoort is not just a car; it’s an experience. And that term has taken on new meaning with the GTO.

With a bit of luck, you may see one. On the road or on the track. The Donkervoort D8 GTO. With a power-to-weight ratio of less than two, it is one of the fastest street-legal cars in the world. Boasting a power rating of 340 to 380 hp and 450 Nm of torque starting at around 1600 rpm. Significantly larger than its predecessors, yet – at around 700 kg – hardly heavier and surprisingly easy to drive. While still a prototype, already hailed by the international automotive press. And seen as a sensation by even the most experienced Donkervoort driver.

The new generation Donkervoort


The GTO is clearly a size larger than its predecessors, the hard-top D8 GT and the cabrio D8 270 RS. About 35 centimetres longer and 15 centimetres wider, to be exact. This was necessary to house the massive, longitudinally mounted Audi 5-cylinder 340 hp 2.5 litre TFSI engine, and simultaneously realise the stunningly balanced design. The GTO is, of course, an entirely newly designed car. According to Joop Donkervoort it is intended to be the first in a new generation of Donkervoort automobiles.

Ultra light and super strong


By bonding the tubular steel frame to large carbon fibre composite panels a unique combination of (significantly increased) rigidity and ultra-light weight has been achieved. The body also consists entirely of carbon fibre composite and features a unique innovation: a one-piece door (including the integrated hinges) that can withstand a lateral impact of around 1500 kg, with hinges that can handle a force of over 1100 kg... while the total weight is just 980 grams! This is technology derived from the aerospace industry and never before used in a car.

Special details


The GTO is full of special details. One example is the closure for the aluminium bonnet, which originates from the American rocket industry, where – just as at Donkervoort – low weight, simple operation and a smooth finish are essential.

Wheels


At Donkervoort, every effort is made to reduce weight and add strength, down to the smallest details. The 17" (or optional 18") wheels, custom made for Donkervoort by Japanese manufacturer Rays Engineering, for example, are made of forged aluminium and weight just 6 kg each.

Powered by Audi


The D8 GTO is fitted with an Audi engine, thanks to close cooperation between Donkervoort and Audi AG (quattro GmbH) that stretches back to 1996. But the GTO doesn't have just any Audi engine: an ultra-high-performance sports car only earns that badge if it also has an ultra-high-performance engine. The Audi 2.5L R5 TFSI engine has a very rich history, both on and off the track, and the GTO is available with a 340 or 380 hp version.

Interior

The interior of the D8 GTO reflects the true identity of the car as a purebred race car. Unnecessary features have been omitted in favour of a car that is as light as possible and provides corresponding performance.


The culmination of this approach is perhaps the fully-equipped carbon fibre dashboard, which with its minimalist yet high-tech switches evokes an association with aviation. The dashboard also includes a special race-module switch and traction control button which can be adjusted to the driver’s preferences.
Technical specs
The culmination of over 35 years of Donkervoort has led to the extremely brutal D8 GTO. With nearly 400 bhp at less than 700 kilograms a rocket that roars from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds.
Donkervoort D8 GTO Bare Naked Carbon Edition

















Donkervoort D8 GTO “1000 Miglia Edition”