Spyker Cars is back in the spotlight at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.
It’s been a long road to recovery since the automaker went bust in 2013. After multiple rumored “savior” companies declined to pick up the Dutch automaker, finally a U.S. electric aircraft company, Volta Volare, came to Spyker’s rescue.
With new backing, Spyker has returned with a successor to its Aileron sports car. The C8 Preliator is an evolution of the Aileron’s figure, which itself came from the B6 Venator Concept. Fans of the brand will recall that the C8 name has been used before on the C8 Spyder, Laviolette, Double, and Aileron. The latter was powered by an Audi-sourced V8 ponying up 400 hp and 354 pound-feet of torque.
This C8, however, makes due with an Audi-sourced supercharged 4.2-liter V8 making 525 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. The engine will be mated to a Getrag six-speed manual gearbox, but buyers can choose an optional ZF six-speed automatic transmission instead.
While 525 supercharged horses are certainly exciting, the gas-fed motor contrasts with rumors of an all-electric powertrain. Though an EV setup would have meant instant torque, the C8 Preliator will still rocket to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and will achieve a 201 mph top speed, thanks in part to its ultra-light all-aluminum space frame chassis. When it’s time to bring the momentum down from triple-digit speeds, the Preliator’s AP Racing brakes will do the trick.
Some indicators of Volta Volare’s hand can be seen in the C8’s design, such as its NACA ducts (similar to ones found in the aviation industry). As for the rest of its figure, aerodynamics have clearly been a focus. Spyker reworked the rear diffuser, side skirts, and front splitter to better manage airflow.
Spyker says it will only produce 50 examples of the C8 Preliator, each costing €324,900/$352,925 for the manual version and €330,990/$359,541 if you’d prefer the automatic.
