Donkervoort D8 GTO: Which Version to Choose?

The Donkervoort D8 GTO range consists of one generation, produced from 2013 as a Roadster, with five versions.

The Donkervoort D8 GTO range consists of one generation, produced from 2013 as a Roadster, with five versions. Because there is no second generation to compare, the buying decision is entirely about specification: the GTO-S 2.5 MT is the least powerful and heaviest choice, the GTO 2.5 MT has the lowest stated combined fuel consumption, the GTO-RS 2.5 MT is the lightest and matches the GTO-JD70 2.5 MT for acceleration and top speed, while the GTO Invdividual Series 2.5 MT leads the range with 435 hp, a 2.6-second 0–100 km/h time and a 286 km/h maximum speed.

D8 GTO generation and versions

The first generation began production in 2013 and has no stop date recorded in the supplied data. It is a Roadster offered in five versions: GTO 2.5 MT, GTO-RS 2.5 MT, GTO-JD70 2.5 MT, GTO Invdividual Series 2.5 MT and GTO-S 2.5 MT.

All five versions use a front, longitudinal 2,480 cc Gasoline engine with 5 Inline cylinders, Turbo boost and distributed injection (multi-point). Every version also has a 5-speed Manual gearbox and RWD. There is therefore no body-style, transmission or driven-axle distinction to settle before choosing: power, torque, kerb weight, performance and stated fuel consumption are the meaningful differences.

D8 GTO engine and specs comparison

VersionPowerTorqueDisplacementFuelCylinders and layoutBoostGearboxDrive
GTO 2.5 MT380 hp at 5,500 rpm475 Nm at 1,750 rpm2,480 ccGasoline5, InlineTurbo5-speed ManualRWD
GTO-RS 2.5 MT380 hp at 5,500 rpm500 Nm at 1,750 rpm2,480 ccGasoline5, InlineTurbo5-speed ManualRWD
GTO-JD70 2.5 MT415 hp at 5,850–7,000 rpm560 Nm at 1,750–6,350 rpm2,480 ccGasoline5, InlineTurbo5-speed ManualRWD
GTO Invdividual Series 2.5 MT435 hp at 5,850–7,000 rpm560 Nm at 1,750–6,350 rpm2,480 ccGasoline5, InlineTurbo5-speed ManualRWD
GTO-S 2.5 MT340 hp at 5,400 rpm450 Nm at 2,000 rpm2,480 ccGasoline5, InlineTurbo5-speed ManualRWD

Using the common 2.48-litre displacement, calculated specific output rises from about 137.1 hp per litre in the GTO-S 2.5 MT to 153.2 hp per litre in both 380 hp versions, 167.3 hp per litre in the GTO-JD70 2.5 MT and 175.4 hp per litre in the GTO Invdividual Series 2.5 MT.

The GTO-RS 2.5 MT is more compelling than the standard GTO 2.5 MT on the available output figures. Both produce 380 hp, but the RS supplies 500 Nm rather than 475 Nm, an increase of 25 Nm. It also weighs 17 kg less.

The GTO-JD70 2.5 MT adds 35 hp and 60 Nm over the GTO-RS 2.5 MT. The GTO Invdividual Series 2.5 MT then adds another 20 hp over the JD70 while retaining the same 560 Nm torque figure and the same stated engine-speed ranges for power and torque.

D8 GTO performance and fuel economy

Version0–100 km/hTop speedCity consumptionHighway consumptionCombined consumption
GTO 2.5 MT2.8 s270 km/h11.8 l/100 km5.3 l/100 km7.7 l/100 km
GTO-RS 2.5 MT2.7 s280 km/hnot measurednot measured10 l/100 km
GTO-JD70 2.5 MT2.7 s280 km/hnot measurednot measured10 l/100 km
GTO Invdividual Series 2.5 MT2.6 s286 km/hnot measurednot measured8 l/100 km
GTO-S 2.5 MT3.3 s255 km/hnot measurednot measured10 l/100 km

The GTO Invdividual Series 2.5 MT is the performance choice. It reaches 100 km/h 0.1 second sooner than the GTO-RS 2.5 MT and GTO-JD70 2.5 MT, 0.2 second sooner than the GTO 2.5 MT and 0.7 second sooner than the GTO-S 2.5 MT. Its 286 km/h maximum speed is 6 km/h higher than the RS and JD70, 16 km/h higher than the standard GTO and 31 km/h higher than the GTO-S.

The GTO-RS 2.5 MT and GTO-JD70 2.5 MT record the same 2.7-second acceleration time and 280 km/h maximum speed despite the JD70 having 35 hp and 60 Nm more. On the stated performance numbers alone, the additional output does not produce a difference in either benchmark.

For economy, the GTO 2.5 MT has the lowest combined figure at 7.7 l/100 km. The GTO Invdividual Series 2.5 MT follows at 8 l/100 km, only 0.3 l/100 km more despite having 55 hp and 85 Nm more. The GTO-RS 2.5 MT, GTO-JD70 2.5 MT and GTO-S 2.5 MT are each listed at 10 l/100 km combined. City and highway figures for those four versions are not measured; only the GTO 2.5 MT has separate figures of 11.8 and 5.3 l/100 km.

D8 GTO dimensions, weight and wheels

Exterior length, width, height and wheelbase are not measured in the supplied data. Gross weight is also not measured for every version.

VersionKerb weightWeight per hpGross weightGround clearanceTankWheel sizes
GTO 2.5 MT695 kg1.83 kg/hpnot measured80 mm48 l225/45 R17, 245/40 R18, 245/45 R18
GTO-RS 2.5 MT678 kg1.78 kg/hpnot measured80 mm48 l225/45 R17, 235/45 R17, 245/40 R18
GTO-JD70 2.5 MT680 kg1.64 kg/hpnot measured80 mm48 l235/45 R17, 245/40 R18
GTO Invdividual Series 2.5 MT680 kg1.56 kg/hpnot measured80 mm48 l235/45 R17, 245/40 R18
GTO-S 2.5 MT740 kg2.18 kg/hpnot measured80 mm48 l225/45 R17, 235/45 R17, 245/40 R18

The GTO-RS 2.5 MT is the lightest version at 678 kg. The GTO-JD70 2.5 MT and GTO Invdividual Series 2.5 MT each weigh 680 kg, only 2 kg more. The GTO-S 2.5 MT is the heaviest at 740 kg: it carries 62 kg more than the RS while producing 40 hp less.

Calculated weight per horsepower clarifies the hierarchy. The GTO Invdividual Series 2.5 MT has the strongest ratio at approximately 1.56 kg/hp, followed by the GTO-JD70 2.5 MT at 1.64 kg/hp, the GTO-RS 2.5 MT at 1.78 kg/hp, the GTO 2.5 MT at 1.83 kg/hp and the GTO-S 2.5 MT at 2.18 kg/hp.

Every version has 80 mm of ground clearance and a 48-litre tank. All also use independent, spring suspension at both ends and ventilated disc brakes front and rear, so none gains a catalogue advantage in these areas.

Which Donkervoort D8 GTO version should you buy?

Choose the GTO Invdividual Series 2.5 MT if outright performance is the priority. Its 435 hp is the highest figure in the range, its approximately 175.4 hp-per-litre output and 1.56 kg/hp weight ratio are the strongest, and its 2.6-second acceleration time and 286 km/h top speed lead all five versions. Its 8 l/100 km combined consumption is also lower than the stated 10 l/100 km figures of the RS, JD70 and GTO-S.

Choose the GTO-RS 2.5 MT for the most effective balance of low weight and recorded performance. At 678 kg, it is 2 kg lighter than the GTO-JD70 2.5 MT, yet both reach 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds and have a 280 km/h maximum speed. The JD70 offers 35 additional horsepower and 60 additional newton-metres, but those gains do not change the supplied acceleration or top-speed figures.

Choose the GTO 2.5 MT when the lowest stated combined fuel consumption matters more than the final performance increment. Its 7.7 l/100 km result is the best in the range, while 380 hp, 475 Nm, 2.8-second acceleration and a 270 km/h top speed still place it well ahead of the GTO-S 2.5 MT on the supplied performance data.

Choose the GTO-JD70 2.5 MT if its combination of 415 hp, 560 Nm and 680 kg is specifically desirable. It improves on the GTO-RS 2.5 MT in power per litre and weight per horsepower, although both have identical stated acceleration and maximum-speed results.

The GTO-S 2.5 MT is difficult to justify through performance, weight or combined consumption alone. It has the range’s lowest outputs at 340 hp and 450 Nm, the highest kerb weight at 740 kg, the slowest 0–100 km/h time at 3.3 seconds and the lowest top speed at 255 km/h. Since price data is not provided, no claim can be made about whether a lower purchase price compensates for those differences.