2010 Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder

NEWS & REVIEWS Spyker Cars announced the development of a convertible C8 Aileron Spyder in March at the Geneva Auto Show, during the introduction of the production version of the Spyker C8 Aileron. The car presented today is the first prototype for the open-top model, scheduled to go into production in the first half of 2010. The Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder sports a high-quality, semi-automatic canvas soft-top. The roof's operation is electric/hydraulic, secured by one central latch operated manually. Once folded, the soft-top is totally enclosed within the body of the car, allowing for an undisturbed profile. The roof retracts under an aluminum tonneau, with two buttresses upholstered in quilted Hulshof leather and featuring the company's motto "Nulla Tenaci Invia Est Via" or "For the tenacious, no road is impassable". The soft top has a glass rear window and is available in eight colors. The Aileron Spyder features a luggage rack, CNC-machined from solid billets of aluminum, mounted immediately behind the roll hoops, on which a wing-shaped aluminum case is strapped. The case is trimmed in the same quilted leather as the interior and buttresses. The Spyker C8 Aileron is an advanced mid-engine, two-seat sports car, featuring a longer wheelbase than Spyker's existing sports cars, the C8 Laviolette and convertible C8 Spyder. The Aileron is characterized by a distinctive design, lightweight all-aluminum body construction and an uncompromising engineering package. The Spyker C8 Aileron is hand-crafted, using only the finest bespoke materials to create a unique automotive statement. The Aileron features an all-aluminum V8 engine producing 400 hp and generating 354 lbs of torque at 3,400 rpm. The engine is paired to a manual six-speed gearbox, driving the rear wheels via a limited slip differential. For the first time, Spyker is offering an optional automatic transmission on the C8 Aileron. The Aileron delivers a top speed of 187 mph and accelerates from standstill to 60 mph in a mere 4.5 seconds. Optional features include a turned aluminium dashboard fascia, elegant 19-inch directional rotor wheels, branded Rotorblade, quilted leather detailing for the cockpit and Chronoswiss dashboard instruments. Additionally, complete custom and unique finishes are available for the experienced connoisseur. Customers may also order a 5-piece Louis Vuitton luggage set exclusively made for Spyker. The Spyker C8 Aileron's all-aluminium space frame was completely redesigned with the objective to increase torsional rigidity and to incorporate an all-new suspension system designed and supplied by Lotus. These characteristics provide an ideal foundation for enhanced vehicle dynamics. Moreover, the C8 Aileron's dimensions have been optimized for more interior space and to accommodate the optional automatic gearbox. The design of the hand-crafted Spyker C8 Aileron and Aileron Spyder represents the latest evolution of Spyker's signature architecture, which is heavily inspired by the company's aviation heritage. In order to enhance the aerodynamic performance of the car, several changes in styling were made. Most of the shark-like gills have been abandoned, which results in a cleaner, smoother appearance. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2009 Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85

NEWS & REVIEWS The Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 will be built as a limited edition of 24 units maximum, and will be available in both left and right hand drive. Production of the LM85 commences this quarter. The LM85 is an advanced mid-engine, two-seat sports car. It is characterized by a lightweight all aluminum body construction and an uncompromising engineering package. The powertrain of the LM85 is the all aluminum Audi 4.2 liter V8 engine producing 400 bhp. This is paired to a manual six-speed Getrag gearbox, driving the rear wheels with a Drexler limited slip differential. ABS is standard. The use of aluminum parts and other lightweight materials results in an impressive power-to-weight ratio and underlines the GT2 racing heritage of the car. Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 Gallery: Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 Based on the Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R, the racing characteristics of the LM85 are numerous, such as the all aluminum chassis, GT2 livery (Burnt Almond Orange with Gun Metal ‘S’ logo), side mirrors in body color, a carbon fiber rear spoiler, and GT2 windscreen streamer. Behind the black powder coated alloy wheels, black AP Racing 6 piston brake calipers with AP Racing logo appear. The LM85 can optionally be equipped with Le Mans sticker sets as well as a customised LM85 car cover. The ample use of black leather and alcantara, which is originally meant to reduce light reflection during racing, has been finished with orange contrast stitching and characterizes the unique interior of the LM85. The dashboard instrument panel is made of turned aluminum. Each car will feature a personalised LM85 serial plaque. On request, Chronoswiss dials and switches can be installed and are virtually identical to the Chronoswiss 24Hours Pilot Watch every LM85 owner receives with his car. The black floor mats are made of fire protective material, finished with orange piping and the LM85 logo embroidered. As mentioned above, every LM85 owner receives a special edition Spyker Chronoswiss 24H Pilot Watch with orange crocodile strap. The serial number of the car will be engraved on the case of this exquisite time piece. Additionally, all LM85 owners are offered an exclusive Spyker VIP Hospitality weekend at the 24H of Le Mans in 2009. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2009 Spyker C8 LAVIOLETTE

NEWS & REVIEWS Thankfully Spyker’s glass-domed C8 Laviolette has managed to live down its star billing alongside Sharon Stone in the truly rancid Basic Instinct 2 movie. But only just. These days it continues to be one of the rarest, and most dramatic sights on the highway, making Ferraris and Lamborghinis seem almost commonplace. From its scissor-hinged doors to its voluptuous, curve-filled body, and roof-mounted air intake, the Laviolette screams “exotic supercar”. And inside it is nothing less than a feast for the eyes with its engined-turned dash, stunning exposed gearshift linkage, and chronograph-style instruments. The only thing that’s not too exotic is the 4.2-liter Audi V-8 mid-mounted behind the seats. With only 400 hp, zero-to-60-mph sprinting in 4.5 seconds is swift, but hardly neck-snapping these days. Its lightweight aluminum body, precise steering, and 19-inch rubberware make it feel nimble and agile through the curves, but ignore the performance and just think of it as automotive art. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2009 Spyker C8 Aileron

NEWS & REVIEWS For a while there, Spyker’s future looked pretty bleak. But now that they’ve off-loaded their F1money pit to pay off the creditors, things are starting to appear a little more settled. And hopefully the Dutch supercar maker’s latest offering—the more versatile C8 Aileron—will keep the company humming. Based on the same lightweight aluminum space frame they’ve been using since the original C8 Spyder, the Aileron features a 4.5-inch stretch in wheelbase, along with a wider track and an impressive 40-percent increase in torsional rigidity; all without an increase in weight. More space between the wheels means a more spacious cockpit and even sharper handling. The same 4.2-liter Audi V-8 continues to summon 400 hp, though, for the first time, it’s offered with a six-speed ZF automatic. Pricing has yet to be confirmed but Spyker is talking about $313,000 when it arrives towards the end of the year. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2008 Spyker D12 PARIS TO PEKING

NEWS & REVIEWS Word is that the first of Spyker’s towering D12 Paris-to-Peking super SUVs should reach customers early next year. But with the teeny Dutch company’s finances as sound as O. J. Simpson’s right now, we’re keeping a watching brief. Unveiled at the 2006 Geneva auto show, the D12 P-to-P is essentially a Spyker C8 fitted with a giant four-door body, cool rear-hinged rear doors, and a 493-hp Volkswagen-sourced 6.0-liter W-12, spinning all four wheels. Despite its considerable bulk, it’s claimed to be able to lunge to 60 from standstill in 4.8 seconds and cleave the air at a 186-mph max. Like every Spyker, the D12 is crammed with cool features, like an all-glass roof, diamond-pattern leather trim, and Spyker’s trademark exposed gear shift linkage. As for that overly lengthy name, it was 100 years ago in 2007 when a Spyker drove from Paris, France, to Peking, China. Price? We’re reckoning around $350,000. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2008 Spyker C8 SPYDER

NEWS & REVIEWS After seeing Spyker’s C8 Laviolette in the awful Basic Instinct 2 movie with Sharon Stone, Spyker went back on the silver screen in War, a kung-fu flick starring Jet Li and Jason Statham and with a Spyker C8 Spyder as part of the action. See a C8 in the metal—it’s a rare sight indeed—and you’ll agree that this is the car as an art form. From its scissor-hinged doors, to the swoopy aluminum body, to those dramatic 19-inch Aeroblade wheels, the car turns heads like a Britney Spears sighting at Hair Plugs R Us. It’s powered by a 400-bhp 4.2-liter Audi V-8, coupled to a six-speed manual, and it will get to 60 mph from standstill in a fast, but not exactly blistering, 4.5 seconds. Top speed is a claimed 190 mph. Around $288,000 should get you a spot on the waiting list. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2008 Spyker C8 Aileron

NEWS & REVIEWS Spyker has unleashed the 2008 C8 Aileron sports car to the Geneva show attendees and a waiting public. The car’s wheelbase has been lengthened to bring more civility and increased rigidity. The addition of a standard automatic transmission was also included in the revisions to hopefully increase sales. More, subtle changes are also incorporated to help distinguish the newest C8 out in the European market. The C8 Aileron still uses Audi’s tried and true 4.2L V-8 producing a blood pumping 400 horsepower. The car hits sixty in an estimated 4.5 seconds and can be pushed to a 187 mph top end. The styling of the car is extreme; composed of a mish mash of various design elements that although striking cannot really be considered good looking. The grill is larger and gives the car a Mako shark-like nose. A total of 5 round inlets still adorn the side and top of the vehicle. The air scoops look like something out a James Bond flick; gatling guns and missiles might just be lurking inside. The top scoop is especially pronounced and furthers my Mako shark theme thoughts by easily resembling a shark fin. The rear bears a resemblance to the end of a Lotus mixed with the butt of an early 70s Corvette. In a nutshell, no one will ever call the C8 Airleon good looking. by: Benjamin Greene PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2008 Spyker C12 ZAGATO

NEWS & REVIEWS Don’t withdraw that $676,000 from the kids’ college fund just yet. That Spyker C12 Zagato supercar you set your heart on hasn’t been spiked; it’s supposedly just on hold. One of the showstoppers at the 2007 Geneva auto show, the C12 Zagato was to be the flagship of this little Dutch supercar maker. The plan was to build just 24, with production kicking off next spring. But it seems Spyker wants to focus on filling orders for its current lineup—we suspect they overspent big-time on acquiring a team to compete in Formula One racing. Let’s hope they do build it because this Zagato-designed two seater is a stunner. Power comes from a 500-bhp Volkswagen W-12, which can shove this aluminum-bodied, glass-roofed two seater to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds and onto a top speed of 193 mph. Maybe just keep that $676 grand safe under the bed for the time being. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2007 Spyker C8 LAVIOLETTE

NEWS & REVIEWS Dutch supercar maker Spyker had its big movie break earlier this year, starring alongside the leg-crossing siren, Sharon Stone, in the appalling Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addiction. At least the Spyker looked classy. See the C8 Laviolette in the metal and those flowing, organic lines will steal your breath. This is the car as an art form, a skin stretched tight and taut over strong, powerful muscles. That glass top reminds you of a fighter-jet canopy, its center-mounted air intake designed to feed big gulps of air to the mid-mounted 400-bhp Audi-derived V-8. Enter the cockpit through scissor-style doors and your jaw will drop with the sheer visual drama of the features. Captain Nemo-style spoke steering wheel, an exposed-linkage gear shift, retro-style toggle switches. It’s fast, but not blisteringly so. Zero-to-60 takes 4.5 seconds, though the top speed is around 190 mph. But it’s certainly a lot racier than Ms. Stone. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2007 Spyker C12

NEWS & REVIEWS PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge