Donkervoort’s D8 GTO 1000 Miglia strikes a balance between road and track

By Ronan Glon June 15, 2015

In one of the best demonstrations of globalization in recent memory, Dutch boutique automaker Donkervoort has introduced a limited-edition version of its Audi-powered, Lotus-inspired two-seater that pays homage to one of Italy’s greatest races.

Based on the existing D8 GTO, the 1000 Miglia Edition is designed primarily for buyers who are looking for a fun and unique daily driver. It is instantly recognizable when viewed from the outside thanks to an eye-catching red paint job with model-specific decals all around.

Interior pictures are not available but Donkervoort designers say the 1000 Miglia Edition gains a more conventional-looking dashboard with an analog instrument cluster and a more generous list of standard equipment that includes navigation and Bluetooth connectivity. Make no mistake, the 1000 Miglia is no Maybach, and its cockpit still features a raised center console, an integrated roll cage, and a pair of lightweight bucket seats.

Power comes from a 2.5-liter TFSI five-cylinder engine that has been slightly de-tuned to make 310 horsepower. As a result, the 1000 Miglia is not as insane to drive as the standard track-focused D8 GTO but Donkervoort explains that the drop in power makes it a lot more comfortable to live with on a daily basis. Similarly, the ride height has been slightly raised thanks to a set of new adjustable shock absorbers and the limited-edition model is built with a little less carbon fiber.

Only 25 examples of the Donkervoort D8 GTO 1000 Miglia Edition will be built, and we suspect more than a handful have already been spoken for in spite of a base price that checks in at 115,000 Euros (nearly $130,000) before taxes are factored in.

Pack up your belongings and move to the Old Continent if you want one, because at the time of writing Donkervoort has absolutely no plans to sell the D8 GTO in the United States.

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Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…

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