Good to see Spyker is back among the living. The creator of hand-built sports cars since 2000, returned to Geneva Motor Show to unveil the worthy successor to the Spyker C8 Aileron, launched in Geneva in 2009.
The Dutch based automobile company that produces high-end sports cars unveiled its third-generation sports car which pays tribute to that aviation heritage. The “Preliator” name means “fighter” or “warrior” in latin.
“The Spyker C8 Preliator’s design represents the ultimate translation of our aviation heritage to a “road jet”, a plane without wings, reflected among others in the Head-Up Display, fitted as standard to every car. It is the epitome of our unrivalled craftsmanship,” said Victor R. Muller, Spyker’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
“By mounting a supercharger to the Audi V8 engine we have improved the performance of the Spyker C8 Preliator significantly as compared to its predecessor and its exclusivity is warranted since we will produce a mere 50 units,” added Muller.
“Fighters” are warplanes as made by Spyker between 1914 and 1918. But even more so, “Preliator” symbolises the uphill battles Spyker faced and won in the past couple of years.
“When I designed the Spyker C8 Preliator I wanted it to ooze the sheer tenacity and determination with which we created a new dawn for our company and by launching it here today we pay homage to the latin axiom which has adorned the Spyker propellor logo since 1914 “Nulla tenacia invia est via” – for the tenacious no road is impassable,” concluded Spyker’s Founder.
In the first-generation cars, the propeller design was consistently applied to many elements of the cars. The second generation cars showed a transition to turbine engine inspired design. Within the design of the new third generation cars, the Spyker C8 Preliator, the emphasis has shifted to submerged air intakes, the so-called NACA ducts, as used in the aviation industry.
The Spyker C8 Preliator’s all-aluminium space frame composed of extrusions and folded sheet aluminium and extruded aluminium side-impact bars and integral rollover bars was redesigned with the objective to further increase torsional rigidity and to incorporate the Lotus supplied suspension system. These characteristics provide anideal foundation for enhanced vehicle dynamics.
Moreover, the C8 Preliator’s dimensions have been optimised, the car is longer than its predecessor, providing for more driving comfort and stability at high speeds.
The sports car will use the Audi 4.2 litre V8 engine Spyker has used since its inception but now boasting 525 bhp as a result of a supercharger and will be available with two transmission alternatives. The Spyker C8 Preliator will be fitted as standard with a 6-speed Getrag manual gearbox, with ratios perfectly matched to the V8 supercharged engine.
The interior, with its typical Spyker attention to detail, is made of the highest quality leather available in the market. The leather interior is available in 14 standard colours, but any other colour – if desired by the customer – can be ordered as an option. The car on display at 2016 Geneva Motor Show has a Saddle interior with white honeycomb stitching (matching the mesh in the grille) and an ivory leather headlining.
