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THE DONKERVOORT F22 FINAL FIVE IS A LIMITED NUMBER BEAST THAT BIDS FAREWELL TO AUDI'S 5-POT POWERPLANT.

Published: 2024-11-26 08:50:20 Last Updated: 2024-11-26 09:16:16

There’s an old saying: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Dutch automaker Donkervoort took this to heart 25 years ago, committing to Audi’s 4-cylinder powertrains before making history in 2011. That’s when they built a car perfectly tailored to Audi’s legendary 5-cylinder, 2.5-litre turbo engine. Enter the D8 GTO—a car that propelled Donkervoort from a niche boutique brand to an international supercar heavyweight. This masterpiece not only celebrated Audi’s iconic engine, previously immortalized in Group B rally Quattros but also pushed it to exhilarating new heights. The D8 GTO redefined performance. A 0 - 100 km/h sprint in just 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 270 km/h showed what the extra cylinder could do, while the engine’s initial 280 kW output would eventually grow to an astonishing 367 kW in the F22 by 2022. The F22’s torque-rich power delivery ensured effortless cruising, pulling strongly even in higher gears. Its guttural startup roar hinted at its potential, and the engine’s signature offbeat growl, turbo whistle, and escalating howl transformed every drive into an orchestral experience. Beyond the sound and speed, the engine’s reliability and featherweight 45 kg mass made it a perfect match for Donkervoort’s philosophy of uncompromising performance. Unsurprisingly, every five-cylinder Donkervoort has been spoken for - some even before rolling off the line.

The F22 was no different, with owners finalizing specs long before production was completed. Yet, Donkervoort kept pushing the boundaries, culminating in a farewell tribute: the uber-limited F22 Final Five. This ultimate edition represents the pinnacle of five-cylinder performance. Carbon-ceramic brake discs shave 2.5 kg per corner, while titanium exhaust trims 4 kg, and ultralight carbon wheels cut even more weight. On that note, here’s a little-known fact about the awesome carbon wheels found on all of the Donkervoort cars - they’re manufactured in an office park in Northriding, Jo’burg. A stunning exposed carbon-fibre body, typically reserved for hypercars, reduces the F22’s kerb weight by 34 kg - from 750 kg to an astonishing 716 kg. Each Final Five is bespoke, with the first already delivered to a Donkervoort Ambassador. The remaining owners are crafting their cars to reflect their unique styles, cementing the Final Five’s place as a collector’s dream. These cars are a celebration of power, precision, and rarity - a fitting sendoff for the Audi-powered Donkervoort era. As one chapter closes, another begins. Donkervoort has teased their next move, but with a twist: it’s not electric, and it won’t cost millions. Whatever’s next, the F22 Final Five ensures the 5-cylinder legacy ends on the highest of notes.

Take a look at the YouTube video that shows off the last of the Audi 5-pot-powered Donkervoort F22s - now we're wondering what could possibly be good enough to replace the powerplant. This was from a test by AutoTopNL, we can't show you the actual Donkervoort vid because the upload settings don't allow embedding into articles. Weird: DONKERVOORT F22 // 100-200 on AUTOBAHN POV & SOUND | AutoTopNL

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Article Tags: Cars SXdrv Limited Number F22 Final Five F22 Donkervoort