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Donkervoort. Das is snel.


This link was on yahoo.com last week.

When you think of Dutch products, cars normally aren't one of the first things that come to mind. Well how about a 340 hp Dutch car that goes from 0-60 in 3 seconds. 3 seconds! With a top speed of 160 mph. I mean look at this thing!

The link has more pictures. While this obviously isn't a car you would drive everyday around town. It does look fun. Look at the 'teeth' in the front grill.

If you are a fan of utilitarian vehicles; cars that don't cater to the extravagant, cars that deliver the simple necessities quickly and without the fluff. I'm thinking the older Jeep Wrangler models. Then Joop Donkervoort of the Netherlands and his Donkervoort D8 GTO is the car for you. This car dismisses the fancy plush seats and touchscreen displays and delivers a few things a driver isn't used to The driver is rewarded for ignoring the creature comforts by getting a ridiculously light vehicle and amazing speed over comfort.

Donkervoort has been building cars for 3 decades but his GTO is here to lead his company in a new direction. The vehicle weighs only 1,540 lbs (half what a normal compact car weighs). But to achieve such a light weight a few things had to be passed up. There is no roof and few creature comforts. His only 'extra' is electronic traction control. Which I guess you will need when driving that fast.

The company says the first 25 GTOs will be special editions with 'race' switches that provide an extra 60 hp from the engine. Everyday models (like the one they will give me after reading this) will arrive in 2013 with a price tag of $130,000.

Looks fun. Not a passenger car but one to show of in.

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