Extremely light, extremely fast and a road grip that has a record for withstanding G-forces sums up the cars from the Dutch Donkervoort.
From Lotus Seven to supercars
In 1978 received Joop Donkervoort permission to build the Lotus Seven under license for the Dutch market. He understood early on that major improvements had to be made to the undercarriage. After continuous improvements, the family-owned company now builds cars with roadholding that few street-legal cars can surpass. In supercars like this, grip is alpha and omega. I don't know of any other car manufacturers that measure the maximum lateral G-force in the corners, but at least Donkervoort does. Until recently they held the record of 2,15 G measured in a Donkervoort F22. But just before Christmas they set a new record of 2,3 G in an unmodified F22. Behind the wheel sat Denis Donkervoort, the next generation of Donkervoort who will continue to lead the car manufacturer.
Donkervoort F22
Like previous models, this one also has a mid-mounted front engine. Furthermore, the entire bodywork is made of carbon fiber over a tubular steel frame. The cars are delivered with adjustable, adaptive and active shock absorbers from tractive, adjustable traction control, and Race ABS for those who want it. The engine is a tuned version of Audi's 2,5 liter inline five with turbo – the same type found in the Audi RS3. Donkervoort has been helped by ABT to extract 500 hp which is sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual Tremec TKX gearbox and Torsen differential brake. Net weight without driver is only 750 kg. 0-100 can be covered in 2,5 seconds, which can certainly also create G-forces against the seat back.
Like a big family?
With a maximum production capacity of 100 hand-built, customer-customized cars a year, one cannot speak of any mass production, exactly. With the use of social media, the owners keep in touch with each other, and joint trips are arranged every year. One of these is called Donkervoort Ambassador Tour who last year went to the picturesque village of Peralada on the Costa Brava in Spain. Hotel Peralada located like a manor in the middle of an exclusive golf complex. It was quite a sight when a column of great Donkervoort cars unexpectedly appeared at the entrance. There was no stage for a photo session, but fortunately we were able to take some snap shots.
Height 1,11 metres
Our photos of one of the new Donkervoort F22s clearly show how low it is. Length and width are 4,04 and 1,91 meters respectively, - but the height - it is only 1,11 meters! The man with the umbrella is my brother-in-law - who, by the way, has a perfectly normal body height.
Prices
Donkervoort are hand-built cars with great possibilities for individual adaptations. I don't know if that is the reason - but no list prices have been published. Based on searches in car exchanges, the new F22 model appears to cost from around €260 in EU countries, while the previous model, D8 GTO Individual Series can cost from €220. Pre-configured cars can be more expensive due to equipment. I have not calculated Norwegian taxes, but the "small" engine and light weight should count positively. Ordering a car from Donkervoort must seem like a demanding – but fun – task, as everything can be tailored. Although it is not certain that you will be able to order the model you want, as a maximum number has been set for each model. The F000 was originally to be produced in 22 copies, which was changed to 50, - and finally 75 - if it is not increased further.
Cars at the 20-year mark
The car in the picture comes from a German car ad for a 2002 model Donkervoort D8 Audi AGU (or D8 Audi E-GAS) with 22 km on the odometer. It is an example of a car where 000% VAT can be deducted on export. The price will then be €19 ex. VAT. Since it is over 62 years old, the one-off tax is waived, but with Norwegian VAT and wreckage deposit, the price will end up at NOK 857.
Previous models include the D8, which came in 1992 with a Ford Zetec engine 1,8 T with 180 hp, from 1995 with the Cosworth 2,0 and from 1999 with Audi engines. The first Audi engine was the 1,8 T taken from the Audi TT and tuned to 210-270 hp. Later, from 2011, Donkervoort got the Audi 2,5 Turbo engine.
Donkervoort in Norway
There is only 1 Donkervoort in the vehicle register. It is probably this one, which participated in the Norwegian Track Club's Spring Meeting at Øvrevoll Galopp in 2025.
See
