Donkervoort delivers first D8 GTO RS Bare Naked Carbon Edition

The Bare Naked Carbon Edition emphasises the high-tech, ultra-light and super-fast nature of the D8 GTO RS, which goes from zero to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds, by combining a powerful 2.5L R5 TFSI super sports engine with lightweight visible carbon fibre components. The exterior and interior of this – cosmetic-only – special edition is almost entirely made from this super-strong and ultra-light material. All of the exterior, from the beastly nose to the recognisable diffuser, is made from visible carbon. The ‘carbon look’ is continued in the interior for the tunnel, doors, window frame, dashboard and seats. But carbon fibre can also be found in the smallest details; even the belt and roll-bar trim, ignition cylinder housing and headlight housing are made from visible carbon.

Over the past 10 years, Donkervoort has gradually shifted its activities from just designing and producing lightweight sports cars to developing and integrating innovative materials. This has been triggered by the company’s continuous search for lighter, stronger and safer vehicle constructions.

XCORE technology is one of Donkervoort’s most recent developments. It is an innovative and patented production method for carbon fibre components, where components can be produced in a single production cycle. Whereas bodywork components tend to consist of an inner and outer shell, the X-CORE process directly joins both shells using a super strong and innovative sandwich/foam structure. Naturally, X-CORE carbon components were used for the very first time for the D8 GTO RS. 95 percent of its bodywork consists of carbon fibre, which has clearly made it lighter and more rigid.

The European Union also thinks the material is innovative and unique, and fully supports its development. In addition, the production method has now also attracted attention from other manufacturers in the car, aeroplane and yacht building industries.

Each Bare Naked Carbon Edition undergoes a unique spraying process, where a transparent UV layer is placed on every single carbon component by hand. The latest technologies in this field were also brought together to offer even more possibilities to Donkervoort owners. This includes adding a special colour pigment to transparent paint. The mixture then transforms the fibres and makes them appear in colour. The result: a unique and particular eye-catching Bare Naked Carbon Edition GTO RS in colour! Donkervoort developed this technique in close collaboration with R-M®, which is BASF’s Premium paint brand.

Using visible carbon components instead of (regular colour) sprayed carbon components has also helped to reduce weight by a few kilograms.

The D8 GTO RS Bare Naked Carbon Edition is a special edition (only 15 cars) and is available from €182,000 excl. tax. The regular D8 GTO RS, which was lauded by Donkervoort drivers as well as the international press – and released as a limited edition of 40 cars – has fully sold out in the meantime.

Donkervoort. No Compromise.

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Photo credits: George F. Williams