Donkervoort, the Dutch purveyor of high-performance, lightweight sports cars, has embarked on a new chapter, transitioning from the recently concluded F22 series to the development of its next supercar, the P24 RS. This new model marks a significant departure for the company, signaling a move away from the Audi-sourced turbocharged engines that have powered its vehicles for the past quarter-century.
The P24 RS is steeped in personal significance, drawing inspiration from both Donkervoort's rich history and the family of its owner, Denis Donkervoort. The "P" in the model's name pays homage to Phébe, Denis's second daughter, while the "24" signifies her birth year, 2024. This naming convention echoes the F22, which was named after Denis's first daughter, Filippa, born in 2022. The "RS" designation harkens back to the iconic D8 270 RS, which achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new production car lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 2006.
Details surrounding the P24 RS's powertrain remain shrouded in mystery, but Denis Donkervoort has hinted at a "complete new innovation" and a "complete new development," suggesting that the engine may be designed and manufactured in-house. This departure from reliance on external engine suppliers underscores Donkervoort's ambition to forge its own path in the realm of high-performance automotive engineering.
Regardless of the specifics of the new engine, it is widely anticipated to surpass the power output of the F22 Final Five, which delivered an impressive 492 horsepower from its 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine. Donkervoort will also maintain its unwavering commitment to lightweight construction methods, a hallmark of its vehicles, ensuring that the P24 RS delivers exceptional performance. The F22, for instance, tipped the scales at a mere 716 kilograms, resulting in a remarkable power-to-weight ratio of 698 horsepower per tonne. This allowed the F22 to accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in a blistering 2.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 290 kilometers per hour.
Donkervoort describes the P24 RS as a "sister car" to the F22, albeit with its own distinct character. "Both have been engineered with driver enjoyment and engagement at their core," the company stated. "Both are born from an obsession with lightweight construction – but the P24 RS will push the F22’s performance even further. There are records waiting to be broken, and the P24 RS has the speed to do it. But it also has the potential to redefine what customer service and customization mean."
This statement highlights Donkervoort's ambition to not only surpass the performance benchmarks set by the F22 but also to elevate the customer experience through enhanced customization and service. The P24 RS represents a bold step forward for Donkervoort, as the company seeks to establish itself as a leader in the realm of bespoke, high-performance sports cars. The transition to an in-house developed powertrain and the focus on pushing the boundaries of lightweight construction underscore Donkervoort's commitment to innovation and its pursuit of automotive excellence.