The Donkervoort D8 GTO family continues to grow, this time with the arrival of a brand new version: the D8 GTO Bare Naked Carbon Edition. The very first Donkervoort fully fitted with visible carbon fibre – a technique in which the unique and recognizable fibre structure of the material is exposed to view – not only accentuates the high-tech, super-fast character of the D8 GTO but also reveals a bit of its ‘dark side’. The first example of this eye catcher left the Donkervoort factory in the Netherlands this week, headed for Switzerland.
The new Bare Naked Carbon Edition emphasises the high-tech, ultra-light, super-fast nature of the D8 GTO through a unique combination of lightweight visible carbon fibre components and the powerful Audi 2.5L R5 TFSI pure sport engine.
The focus for this ‘cosmetic-only’ special edition is – you guessed it – the carbon fibre. Both the exterior and interior of this GTO consist almost entirely of this super-strong, ultra-light material. The exterior, in visible carbon fibre from nose to diffuser, gives an even more mysterious, dark look to the beautiful D8 GTO. The carbon-look is also carried through to the interior, in elements such as the seats, door panels, window frame, dashboard and door sills. Carbon fibre can be found down to the smallest details in the Bare Naked Carbon Edition – even the ignition cylinder housing, belt-and-roll bar trim and headlight housings are made of visible carbon fibre.
Every Bare Naked Carbon Edition undergoes a remarkable painting process, in which a unique UV-coating is applied to each carbon fibre component by hand, in either a matte or gloss finish, or even with a colour accent of the owner’s choosing. The use of visible carbon fibre components, rather than a traditional colour paint system, also results in several kilos of weight savings.
Donkervoort’s mastery of the ‘art of carbon fibre’ is well established. After all, 90% of the bodywork of every D8 GTO is made of this high-tech material and all the carbon components are developed and produced in-house. Through various collaborative relationships with partners in the aerospace industry and others, Donkervoort is not only able to employ the latest techniques and developments in the field of composites directly in its own cars but also to develop and produce parts for external parties.
New owners of the Donkervoort D8 GTO already had the option of having certain bodywork components made of visible carbon fibre. Donkervoort’s ultimate goal, however, beckoned like a beacon on the horizon: a full-carbon D8 GTO. The arrival of the D8 GTO Bare Naked Carbon Edition therefore represents an important milestone in Donkervoort’s nearly 37-year history.
