The Donkervoort P24 RS: A New Era of Dutch Performance
The 2026 Donkervoort P24 RS marks a revolutionary shift for the boutique Dutch manufacturer, officially moving away from its long-standing partnership with Audi. For years, Donkervoort utilized the German brand's legendary 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, but the P24 RS introduces a bespoke, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 based on Ford’s EcoBoost architecture. This new "Power To Choose" (PTC) engine is a masterpiece of modern engineering, featuring forged internals, a dry-sump lubrication system, and custom ball-bearing turbochargers developed by the Dutch specialists at Van der Lee. The result is a staggering 600 horsepower and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque, which can be adjusted via a cockpit dial to 400 or 500 hp for more manageable road use. By opting for a V6, Donkervoort addressed customer demands for higher cylinder counts and greater power potential while maintaining the brand's signature visceral feel. The choice of Ford power also facilitates the brand’s expansion into the United States, as the engine is widely serviceable and compliant with various international regulations. This transition signifies Denis Donkervoort’s first major solo project since taking over from his father, Joop, effectively cementing the next generation of leadership for the Lelystad-based firm.
Featherweight Engineering and Ex-Core Carbon Fiber
Donkervoort's core philosophy has always been "No Compromise" on weight, and the P24 RS takes this to an extreme with a dry weight of just 780 kg (approx. 1,720 lbs). This achievement is largely due to the extensive use of Ex-Core carbon fiber, a patented technology developed by the brand. Unlike traditional carbon fiber that requires heavy autoclaves, Ex-Core uses a syntactic foam that expands within a mold to press the carbon against the walls, creating incredibly strong, lightweight, and complex single-piece structures. The P24 RS features an evolution of this technology in its hybrid chassis, which combines an alloy tubing frame with structural carbon elements and a new "Fort-Ex" front subframe structure. This obsession with weight reduction yields a power-to-weight ratio of 770 hp per ton, outclassing many of the world's most famous multi-million dollar hypercars. Every component, from the 3D-printed exhaust manifolds to the optional carbon-ceramic brakes that save 2.1 kg per corner, has been scrutinized to shed mass. This lightweight nature allows the car to generate 2.3G of lateral acceleration on its custom Nankang CR-S tires, providing a level of cornering grip that feels more akin to a dedicated formula race car than a street-legal vehicle.
Aerodynamics and the Art of Airflow
The design of the P24 RS is a masterclass in functional aesthetics, utilizing advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) provided by Formula 1 experts AirShaper. The car’s body is a "floating" design, where the nose, underfloor, and rear diffuser work in unison to manage airflow without the need for a permanent, unsightly rear wing. However, for serious circuit work, Donkervoort offers a removable aero kit that includes front wing extensions and a rear spoiler. This kit generates an additional 90 kg of downforce at 155 mph (250 km/h) without impacting the car's 186 mph+ (300 km/h+) top speed. One of the most distinctive features is the side-exit exhaust system; by moving the tips to the side, engineers were able to clear the airflow around the rear wheels and maximize the effectiveness of the double diffuser. Even the headlights are an aerodynamic innovation; the primary LED beams are housed in industry-first swing-out unitsthat remain flush with the nose when not in use, reducing drag during daytime driving. Every millimeter of the carbon fiber body is shaped to either feed the hungry twin-turbo V6 or to pin the car to the asphalt, proving that "free, weightless horsepower" is found in the air moving over the vehicle.
A Purist’s Cockpit with Modern Refinements
Inside the P24 RS, Donkervoort has carefully balanced its "unfiltered" ethos with enough modern technology to make long-distance touring a reality. The cabin is dominated by physical buttons and high-quality materials, avoiding the distracting touchscreens that plague many modern supercars. A high-definition digital instrument cluster provides the driver with essential data, including a GPS-based lap timer for track days. Despite the car's diminutive size, the interior is surprisingly spacious; the removable carbon fiber targa roof allows for a driver up to 6 feet 7 inches (2.05 meters) tall to fit comfortably, a nod to the legendary height of the Dutch population. The car even features a 10.5 cubic-foot (298 Litres) boot—roughly equivalent to a Ford Fiesta—making it genuinely practical for a weekend getaway. For the first time, an electric handbrake is included, freeing up space for a small storage cubby in the center console. While the five-speed manual gearbox remains the centerpiece of the driving experience, the P24 RS does offer modern safety nets like an adjustable traction control system and optional Bosch race ABS and power steering. This allows the driver to tailor the car’s personality from a raw, intimidating beast to a surprisingly refined grand tourer at the touch of a button.
Exclusive Production and Global Availability
With a limited production run of just 150 units, the Donkervoort P24 RS is destined to be a rare sight on any road. Despite the starting price of €298,500 (approximately $350,000) before taxes and options, over 50 examples were sold before the car was even officially revealed. The P24 RS is a truly global product, with allocations heading to collectors in Europe, the Middle East, and—most notably—North America. The car is hand-built at the company’s headquarters in Lelystad, where customers are encouraged to visit and participate in the customization process, choosing everything from custom paint colors to specific suspension tuning. Deliveries are slated to begin in April 2026, marking the start of a new chapter for the brand as it celebrates nearly 50 years of independent manufacturing. By naming the car after his second daughter, Phรฉbe (born in 2024), Denis Donkervoort has signaled that this car is a legacy piece, built to endure in a world that is rapidly moving toward electrification. It stands as a defiant "counterpunch" to the homogenous automotive landscape, offering a pure, mechanical, and deeply personal connection between the driver and the road.
