Donkervoort, a Dutch boutique performance car manufacturer, will build its first right-hand drive model, the ultra-lightweight P24 RS, for Australia, New Zealand, and other right-hand drive markets.
This milestone marks a significant expansion for the niche manufacturer, which has previously concentrated on left-hand drive production for Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
Right-Hand Drive Production
The P24 RS will be available in right-hand drive markets, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Fewer than 30 right-hand drive P24 RS models will be built from the planned global production run of 150 vehicles.
Donkervoort says demand from prospective customers in right-hand drive markets prompted the engineering program, with orders already secured ahead of production.
The decision to produce right-hand drive models was influenced by the development of the P24 RS‘s all-new PTC (Power To Choose) engine, as well as research and feedback from potential customers, demonstrating a clear demand for right-hand drive vehicles.
Engineering and Performance
The P24 RS continues Donkervoort’s philosophy of achieving maximum performance through minimum weight, claiming a dry weight of just 780kg.
The machine is powered by the company’s new twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre PTC V6 engine producing up to 600hp and 800Nm.
The PTC system allows drivers to select between 400hp, 500hp, and the full 600hp output, while power is delivered to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission.
Donkervoort claims the P24 RS is the only production car producing 600hp while weighing less than 1000kg.
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The P24 RS achieves impressive performance figures, including a 0-200km/h sprint of just 7.4 seconds and a top speed in excess of 300km/h, as well as lateral cornering capability exceeding 2.3g.
Lightweight Construction
The P24 RS‘s lightweight construction is made possible by Donkervoort’s proprietary Ex-Core carbon-fibre technology, which incorporates a tubular steel chassis reinforced by carbon-fibre structural elements and a one-piece carbon-fibre front sub-frame.
This advanced technology enables the P24 RS to achieve its remarkable dry weight of 780kg, while maintaining exceptional strength and rigidity.
Market Expansion
Managing director Denis Donkervoort said the arrival of right-hand drive would allow a broader audience to experience the brand’s unique approach to lightweight performance.
“We are excited that we can finally show car lovers in right-hand drive markets what Europe, the Middle East, and North America have understood for a long time – that Donkervoorts prioritise driver engagement over everything else, making every drive an unforgettable event,” he said.
Production is limited to 150 examples worldwide, with more than 100 already allocated to customers across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia.
The addition of right-hand drive marks another step in Donkervoort’s international expansion strategy as it strives to establish a presence in new global markets with highly exclusive “analogue” production supercars.
The P24 RS is priced at around $A490,000 in Australia.
Despite its focus on performance, the P24 RS retains a degree of practicality, featuring a removable twin-targa roof and almost 300 litres of luggage capacity.
