Spyker has gone through a lot, chief of which is bankruptcy. Most companies would have taken the hint and moved on to the next project, but not this one. As soon as investment came forward in the form of Volta Volare, an American aircraft firm, Spyker bounced back with a successor to the C8 Aileron. Of course, the parallels stand out – the original Spyker company also dabbled in aeroplane building.
The new model as introduced at the Geneva show is called the C8 Preliator, which means “fighter” or “warrior” in Latin. It uses the Audi 4.2 litre V8 engine Spyker has used since its inception but now boasting 525 bhp as a result of a supercharger (plus 600Nm of torque) and will be available with two transmission alternatives: a 6-speed ZF automatic or a 6-speed Getrag manual.
Dropping anchor means relying on a set of brakes from AP Racing, a long-time partner of the firm. Want more bite or on-track reliability? There’s always the carbon ceramic brake option box which the buyer can tick.
Spyker used the most obvious design value for the new car, which is aviation. Only 50 units will be built apparently, made for owners who appreciate the attention to detail and bespoke features the company is renowned for; and that includes the all-aluminium space frame.
The CNC-machined stainless steel rear lights are made of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) emulating fighter jet afterburners. LED lights were also used for the indicators and the sidelights in the headlight units.
The dashboard was redesigned to suit the new exterior design and to improve ergonomics and functionality. Air vents are designed in turbine style and the performance and distribution of the air conditioning was improved significantly. A multifunctional Head-Up Display is integrated and placed atop the dash board.
It may not seem like it but the C8 Preliator boasts more interior space and a higher comfort level than the car it replaces. The interior, with its typical Spyker attention to detail, is made of the highest quality leather available, with 14 standard colours to choose from. But if a true bespoke look is what you are looking for, any other colour is fine as well and can be ordered as an option.
