- Donkervoort debuts its new sports activities automobile, the P24 RS.
- The P24 RS is powered by a Ford V6, making 600 horsepower and paired to a handbook.
- The automobile weighs simply 1,700 kilos, which supplies it 770 horsepower per ton.
- The Donkervoort P24 RS prices round $350,000 within the US.
Donkervoort might not be the primary title that leaps to thoughts while you consider even essentially the most area of interest sports activities automobile producers, however for practically 50 years, the Dutch automaker has been quietly producing small, mild, foolish fast efficiency automobiles for drivers who need one thing completely different.
As a quite small operation, Donkervoort sometimes produces only one mannequin at a time. Now, it’s lastly received a brand new one—the P24 RS, the corporate’s most excessive automobile but. At a look, the P24 RS follows a tried-and-tested method: engine up entrance, driver within the center, energy on the rear. However rapidly do you notice it’s a lot, a lot greater than that.
Dutch Designed, American Powered
Photograph by: Alex Goy | Motor1
Underneath the P24 RS’s pleasingly lengthy hood is a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 producing as much as 600 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. It’s hooked as much as a five-speed handbook gearbox, with firepower at its rear wheels.
It takes lower than 2.5 seconds for the P24 RS to achieve 62 miles per hour, and simply 7.3 seconds to achieve 124. The automobile weighs a shade below 1,720 kilos; on the power-to-weight entrance, it’s protected to say it’s a bit spicy with 770 hp per ton to play with. That mentioned, you possibly can alter its output to fit your wants—400, 500, or the complete beans 600 hp are able to roll on the flick of a dial. You’ll be able to even alter the Tractive dampers and ferocity of the traction management to match the engine.
This powertrain is model new for the corporate. Donkervoort previously used Audi’s turbocharged five-cylinders underhood, however on this case, the corporate appeared to Ford. The P24 RS makes use of the identical V6 as within the former Ford GT and numerous Raptors, however modified—the turbos connected aren’t customary. For the snails, Donkervoort appeared to Van Der Lee Turbo Techniques, which opened up an entire new world of potentialities.
“We’ve got the choice to not simply use a turbo that’s off the shelf from Ford or Audi, however to create a totally bespoke, made-to-measure turbo for us,” CEO Denis Donkervoort tells us. “We mentioned, we’ve got this complete weight of below 800 kilos, kind of 600 horsepower. However we wish two issues: no turbo lag, and a really exact throttle response.”
No small ask.
However for a corporation so invested in light-weight, leaping from a five-cylinder to a V6 appears counterintuitive, no? Denis Donkervoort says there’s a motive for that: “There was one very clear demand [from customers]: to not go down on cylinders. In order that made it simple.”
Photograph by: Alex Goy | Motor1
‘We would like two issues: no turbo lag, and a really exact throttle response.’
As a result of the P24 RS is low, mild, and has uncovered entrance wheels, it ought to go ‘spherical corners quite rapidly. You’ll be able to ping your self round at 2.3 Gs for those who’re dedicated sufficient, says Donkervoort. That dedication is extra for the monitor rats, however in its pure state, the P24 RS isn’t optimized for aerodynamics. That’s the place detachable wings come into play.
When it’s time to get critical, you possibly can pop extensions onto the P24’s nostril and a few mean-looking spoilers on its again finish. After you’re executed, merely take them off (or maintain them on as a result of they give the impression of being superior).
Just about every thing you see—together with these wings—is carbon fiber, which not solely provides to its unique pedigree but in addition helps maintain weight down and parts sturdy. For good measure, there’s a good slug of 3D printed metallic in there as properly—its exhaust ideas, for one, are made from the stuff.
Donkervoort tapped an organization known as Ex-Core for many of the carbon bits. Somewhat than requiring a large oven to remedy its carbon, Ex-Core makes use of molds and foam. Tooling within the desired form is fabricated, then sheets of carbon fiber are layered inside, and the increasing foam is injected right into a closed mould earlier than heating parts are inserted into strategically drilled holes, heating the carbon, increasing the froth, and making a stable piece.
The result’s a single piece that may be fabricated (after the tooling has been made, after all) on a workbench. No autoclaves wanted. Ex-Core isn’t solely Donkervoort’s to play with both—the corporate has discovered its approach onto luxurious yachts and even Toyota’s newest race automobiles. The P24 RS’s detachable aero is an Ex-Core creation, although, and it’s actually solely potential due to the actual fact.
In the case of seems, the P24 RS is a lovely evolution of Donkerwoort’s earlier work. It’s lengthy, low, extensive, and pointy in all the very best methods. This time, although, the workforce had an issue: lighting.
The automobile’s tiny DRLs set within the hood look the half, however they don’t have the ability of conventional beams. Somewhat than make the sunshine cluster larger, the brighter beams now fold out of the nostril cone on the press of a button. Pop-up headlamps aren’t useless… they’re simply completely different.
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Supply: Alex Goy | Motor1
Should you’re pondering the P24 is impractical, you’re mistaken. There’s an 8.8 cubic-foot trunk on the rear, so you are able to do a weekly store for those who fancy it. Donkervoort’s founder, Joop Donkervoort, is a tall chap, and he constructed his automobiles for folks of his peak to be comfy in. This one’s no completely different.
Folks over 6 toes and seven inches can match within the cabin with its detachable targa high in place with out concern. Which means there’s a spacious cabin, with… a little bit of room for issues.
For the primary time, the corporate has switched to an electrical handbrake and has put a cubby gap as a replacement. There’s no stereo—it’s not that type of automobile—however its digital instrument show fires all the information you’ll ever want proper in your eyes in superb excessive definition. Being one thing that’ll be used on the monitor, there’s a GPS lap timer in-built. Whenever you’re at a circuit, it would maintain tabs on how properly you’re doing.
A Dear Plaything
Donkervoort P24 RS Inside
Photograph by: Alex Goy | Motor1
Donkervoort doesn’t do large volumes, and solely 150 examples of the P24 RS might be made. Greater than 50 of them are already spoken for because of a loyal buyer base. Seeing because the ticket kicks off at €298,500 (roughly $350,000) earlier than taxes and choices, that’s an enormous outcome for the corporate.
The P24 RS is the primary automobile absolutely made below the steering of Denis Donkervoort, the corporate founder’s son. He took over in 2021 after a interval of working facet by facet together with his father, Joop. Whereas they could have barely completely different approaches, the P24 RS remains to be very a lot a Donkervoort by means of and thru.
The Donkervoort P24 RS is certainly headed to the US, and it’ll possible trigger a stir at your nearest automobiles and occasional… for those who’re fortunate sufficient to stumble upon one of many 150 items, that’s.
Motor1’s Take: Donkervoort has executed it once more, with one other completely absurd sports activities automobile within the P24 RS. Packing a strong Ford V6 with upwards of 600 horsepower and a light-weight curb weight, we are able to solely think about what this sports activities automobile is like on the highway. We’ll discover out quickly sufficient.
