autoevolution
 

All You Need to Know About the Savage Donkervoort D8 GTO-JD70 R Track Monster

For over forty years, the small Dutch company has been building ultra-lightweight 'Lotus Seven-esque’ roadsters intending to deliver the ultimate driving experience. This goal has been taken to another level with the D8 GTO-JD70 R, which is a lethal track weapon built to defeat supercars on any given circuit.
Donkervoort D8 GTO-JD70 R 9 photos
Photo: Donkervoort Automobielen B.V.
Donkervoort D8 GTO-JD70 RDonkervoort D8 GTO-JD70 RDonkervoort D8 GTO-JD70 RDonkervoort D8 GTO-JD70 RDonkervoort D8 GTO-JD70 RDonkervoort D8 GTO-JD70 RDonkervoort D8 GTO-JD70 RDonkervoort D8 GTO-JD70 R
Based on the road-going D8 GTO-JD70 released in 2019 to celebrate founder Joop’s 70th birthday, the JD70 R was conceived to shatter lap records and embarrass much more expensive hypercars in the process, with the company claiming that it can lap the Spa-Francorchamps Grand Prix circuit three seconds faster than the 1,100-horsepower Koenigsegg Regera.

It is built on the same carbon-fiber, aluminum, and tubular steel hybrid chassis as its road-legal sibling, but every single nut and bolt was recalibrated to make the car stronger, faster, and safer.

The body panels are manufactured using 60% more high-quality Excore carbon-fiber than the D8 GTO-JD70 for increased safety, while a Bilster Berg roll cage improves chassis rigidity and offers increased side-impact protection.

Donkervoort D8 GTO\-JD70 R
Photo: Donkervoort Automobielen B.V.
The D8 GTO-JD70 R is also available with either an FIA-homologated bladder-style tank with fuel-absorbing foam or a new Kevlar-carbon-fiber protection “blanket” to add to the standard fuel tank.

To provide the perfect setup on any given track, the highly capable independent suspension system with double wishbones features stiffer Intrax four-way adjustable dampers, racing springs, and fully adjustable anti-roll bars. This lowers the car’s ride height and, along with the new Nankang racing tires, provides a maximum lateral acceleration of 2.25 G.

Donkervoort D8 GTO\-JD70 R
Photo: Donkervoort Automobielen B.V.
Power comes from an Audi 2.5-liter (152.5 cu in) TFSI inline-five capable of producing a maximum output of 415 hp (310 kW; 420 PS).

This is the same unit used in the road-legal version, but it comes mated to a six-speed DSG that has been recalibrated and updated with a Bosch race-spec shift software that enables flat upshifts and blipped downshifts.

To cope with the intense requirements of racing, the track monster was also fitted with reinforced endurance-spec driveshafts, prop shaft and differential axles. These enhancements enable the 725 kg (1,598 lbs) JD70 R to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in a hypercar-worthy 2,7 seconds.

Donkervoort D8 GTO\-JD70 R
Photo: Donkervoort Automobielen B.V.
Stopping power has also been upgraded with six-piston brake-balance-adjustable Tarox race calipers that hug 310 mm (12.2-inch) wave-pattern rotors in the front and 285 mm (11.2-inch) to stop the rear wheels. A 12-stage racing ABS system is also available for secure braking in all weather or track surface conditions.

Donkervoort does not just offer the best car they ever built but is also focused on making the drivers better by supplying full spare parts and tire service, transportation, data analysis, and even coaching as part of their racing program.

The car delivers real-time telemetry from the engine, gearbox, throttle, brake pedal, steering, or even tire temperature and pressure that can be analyzed back in the pits by the manufacturer’s engineers to make the necessary adjustments for better lap times.

With prices starting around €198,000 ($242,500) before taxes, the D8 GTO-JD70 R is one of the cheapest and most exciting track-oriented cars out there. It provides hypercar-level performance, is cheaper to maintain, and looks like a modern-era Lotus Seven that Colin Chapman would be extremely proud of.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Vlad Radu
Vlad Radu profile photo

Vlad's first car was custom coach built: an exotic he made out of wood, cardboard and a borrowed steering wheel at the age of five. Combining his previous experience in writing and car dealership years, his articles focus in depth on special cars of past and present times.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories