Donkervoort Revives the D8 GTO-RS Track Monster

Donkervoort D8 GTO-RS (Credit: © Donkervoort)

Track monsters have been just one the latest automotive crazes in the past decade, as more and more small automakers are crafting these lightweight rigs designed to handle the quick twists of a road course. One such manufacturer, Donkervoort, has produced some of the best, and its latest creation is the meanest-looking one yet.

Folks, meet the Donkervoort D8 GTO-RS. This mean-looking track monster is based on the relatively tamer D8 GTO, but it features a wider stance and a reworked nose. While the tweaked appearance is great, it is only a small part of what makes the D8 GTO-RS so great.

Donkervoort D8 GTO-RS (Credit: © Donkervoort)

Under its skin, this new track rig gets a host of new bits that make it better than the GTO it’s based on. While the specifics are still under wraps, Donkervoort did announce that its suspension is completely redone and that it features a new brake system to help bring things down a notch when entering a corner.

Under its hood is the same Audi-sourced 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine as the base GTO but with unspecified enhancements from Bosch. Donkervoort didn’t dig into specifications, but given it has already tuned this engine to deliver up to 380 horsepower, more than 400 horsepower is a reasonable expectation. Bosch also tweaked the powertrain by adding launch control and a dual-clutch transmission.

Donkervoort D8 GTO-RS (Credit: © Donkervoort)

This new track rig will hit the tarmac in the summer of 2016 and it will set buyers back €151,173 ($172,677). Donkervoort will offer only 40 examples of the GTO-RS and 21 units have already been sold.