The Donkervoort D8 GTO family has
grown with the addition of a brand new version: the D8 GTO Bare Naked Carbon
Edition. It is the very first Donkervoort fully fitted with visible carbon fibre.
It is a technique in which the unique and recognisable fibre structure of the
material is exposed to view. This 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 has left the Donkervoort factory in the
Netherlands and has 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 undoubtedly 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, stated a press release from the company.
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.
One should remember that around 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.