Donkervoort has confirmed that its P24 RS supercar will be available in the UK, and, significantly, will be offered in right-hand-drive configuration as the Dutch manufacturer targets enthusiasts across Britain, Ireland, Australia, and Japan.

The move represents a milestone for the Lelystad-based company: it is the first time Donkervoort has produced a vehicle with the steering wheel positioned on the right-hand side. The expected launch date of 2028 will align with the firm's 50th anniversary.

Family-owned Donkervoort began by constructing Lotus Seven-style kit cars, drawing on the Colin Chapman design philosophy of lightweight simplicity that also underpins brands such as Caterham and Westfield. This British influence has continued to shape the company's engineering approach.

Managing director Denis Donkervoort explained: "Donkervoort moved into the supercar territory with the D8 GTO in 2011, but we never lost sight that our earliest cars were based on designs and engineering philosophies from the UK."

The First Right-Hand-Drive Donkervoort

Donkervoort unveiled the P24 RS earlier this year, describing it as the most extreme vehicle in the company's history.

Multiple generations of Donkervoort sports cars, beginning with the D8 in 1999, utilised Audi engines. These included the 2.5-litre five-cylinder motor, which produced close to 500hp in the outgoing F22 model and carried a motorsport lineage tied to Audi Sport's rallying and touring car programmes.

However, Audi has discontinued production of its renowned five-cylinder engine, prompting the Dutch firm to seek an alternative powerplant.

For the P24 RS, Donkervoort selected the Ford-supplied 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6, an engine that has been deployed in applications ranging from pickup trucks and SUVs to the Ford GT supercar, where it powered the GT's class-winning effort at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Selectable Power Output

Dutch Formula 1 specialist Van der Lee supplies bespoke turbochargers for the Ford V6, enabling maximum outputs of 600hp and 590lb ft of torque.

Drivers can select between 400hp, 500hp, or the full 600hp output, allowing configuration to suit road conditions and driver preference.

With a dry weight of just 780kg, achieved in part through carbon fibre construction, all three power levels are expected to deliver potent performance. That weight figure places the P24 RS among the lightest road-legal performance cars on sale, comparable to track-focused specials from manufacturers such as Ariel and Radical. At the maximum 600hp setting, the P24 RS accelerates from 0 to 124mph in 7.4 seconds, with a top speed of 186mph.

The P24 RS is equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox featuring a rev-matching function for downshifts, while a Torsen limited-slip differential manages power delivery to the rear wheels.

Cornering Capability and Aero Options

Beyond straight-line performance, the P24 RS can generate up to 2.3G of lateral force when cornering. An optional aerodynamic kit adds up to 180kg of downforce at 155mph during circuit driving.

Denis Donkervoort said: "Drive a Donkervoort and you'll instantly know they're all about extreme driver engagement from every part of the car, ultra light weight and making every drive an unforgettable experience."

Production of the P24 RS will be limited to 150 units, with 30 cars allocated to right-hand-drive production.

Donkervoort has appointed West Sussex-based Premier GT as its official UK distributor and has already received several orders for the P24 RS from British customers.

John Redfern writes for Motoring Research.