The Dutch super car builders from Spyker were keeping the theme of high-end debuts going at Pebble with the unveiling of the Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder. The drop top super car is based upon the exact same aluminum space frame chassis as the fixed roof version that made itself known to the world earlier this year at the Geneva Motor show replacing the long running C8. The Spyder is powered by the same 4.2 Liter Audi sourced V8 as the hard top and should be pumping out somewhere around 400 HP and for the first time is offering an automatic gearbox.
Aside from the beautiful new bodywork that hints at the automaker’s aviation heritage, the Spyder wears the company’s motto “Nulla Tenaci Invia Est Via” on the tonneau cover that hides away the semiautomatic soft-top that is capable of sealing off the cabin in just 20 seconds. The unit is also covered in quilted Hulshof leather, the same as the Aileron’s interior, surrounding a wing shaped piece of travel luggage upholstered in the same quilted leather and resting on the CNC-machined aluminum luggage rack.
The C8 Aileron Spyder’s chassis was designed to be much more rigid than the outgoing C8 which will work wonderfully with the vehicle’s new suspension that was designed and supplied by Lotus to make this a very capable super car. Adding a bit of bling to aviation inspired road rocket are a set of 19 inch Aeroblade wheels housing a set of massive AP Racing brakes. Spyker expects that half of all C8 Spyders produced will end up here in America, so what better place to unveil the new open air machine to the U.S. market. With a move like this, Spyker is living up to their motto inscribed on the shoulders of the car, ”For the tenacious, no road is impassable.”
The Dutch built Spyker C8 Aileron was unveiled back at the Geneva Motor Show in production trim. The first models have already made their way out the showroom doors and on to the streets of Europe. This particular cherry red metallic Aileron managed to be caught by the trigger happy automotive paparazzi.
The C8 Aileron is powered by a Audi 4.2 Liter V8 engine that delivers 400 HP and is available with two transmission options. The first one is a 6 speed Getrag manual gearbox, with ratios perfectly matched to suit the FSI power plant. The other option is a ZF 6 speed automatic gearbox, which comes standard with paddle shifts behind the steering wheel, giving you that Formula 1 feeling as you shift up through the gears. This particular C8 is able to go from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.5 seconds and hit a top speed of 187 MPH.
Check out the gallery on the right after the jump.
The GT field will look a little different in the 2010 Le Mans Series because a few teams will be both moving up and down in class. The Corvette Racing Team, hot off their GT1 win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, will be stepping down into the GT2 category in order to compete on the track with the same vehicles that the production car competes with in showrooms. Meanwhile, the Dutch super car builder Spyker, who has been competing in the GT2 category since 2002, has bigger dreams of entering their new C8 Aileron as a GT1 racecar.
The new C8 super car will make its production car debut at the Geneva Motor Show early next year, but on the racetrack the Spyker Squadron plans on entering two machines, while a privateer team will handle the older C8 Laviolette.
The C8 Aileron is powered by an Audi sourced 4.2 Liter engine that delivers 400 HP and will be available with two transmission options. The first is a 6 speed manual gearbox built by Getrag with a set of gear ratios perfectly matched to the FSI powered eight cylinder. If you want to shift your Spyker with paddles, you get a ZF 6 speed automatic. The Spyker C8 Aileron can go from 0 to 60 MPH in 4.5 seconds and hit a top speed of 187 MPH.
This video was taken last weekend during the 1000 km of Spa, part of the 2009 Le Mans Series. The homologated road version, the Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 is powered by a 4.2 Liter V8 producing 400 HP and the engine is mated to a manual six-speed Getrag gearbox. Perfect for taking down Porsches, Lamborghinis and even a few Ferraris.
First revealed as a concept car two years ago at the same show, the C8 Aileron finally saw its final design: production version was revealed today at the Geneva Motor Show. The first cars are being built now with customer production and deliveries starting in May 2009.
C8 Aileron is powered by a Audi 4.2 litre V8 engine, delivers 400 bhp and will be available with two transmission alternatives. The first one is a 6-speed Getrag manual gearbox, with ratios perfectly matched to the V8 engine. This is joined by a ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox, which comes standard with paddle shifts behind the steering wheel, to progress smoothly through the ratios. It makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 4.5 seconds and can hit a top speed of 187 mph.
The C8 Aileron’s design is heavily inspired by Spyker’s aviation heritage, as was the case with all previous models. Compared to previous models, the C8 Aileron features a larger grille that gives additional cooling. Also the rear diffuser was redesigned for improved functionality. An extra spoiler has been placed under the diffuser, providing additional downforce to boost the ground effect produced by the diffuser.
Spyker has been milking this one for a while. We first saw the concept of the C8 Aileron (pictured below right) at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, and since then Spyker has been taking it to all the major car shows in 2008. Now the production car will be in Geneva this year, and Spyker is inticing us with this teaser.
For a car that is a sort of like the second-generation of the C8 line, a year is a long time to wait. What the C8 Aileron has to offer is more interior room through a longer wheelbase (4.5 inches), 40% better torsion rigidity, and an available automatic transmission. The C8 Aileron will use the same 400 hp 4.2-liter Audi-based V8 engine as the other C8 models.
How different will it look than the concept? We’ll find out on March 3rd.
Isn’t homologation wonderful? If manufactures want to go racing in the GT2 class, they have to cough up a few examples for the public to fight over. One such street racer is Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85, which will make its official debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It is a road version of its GT2 LeMans car and will be limited to only 24 units. The car will go into production by the end of 2008 and will be offered in both left and right hand drive.
The LM85 is powered by an Audi-sourced 4.2-liter V8 engine producing 400 bhp. The engine is mated to a manual six-speed Getrag gearbox, driving the rear wheels with a Drexler limited slip differential.
It will come with lots of racing characteristics: aluminium chassis, GT2 livery (Burnt Almond Orange with Gun Metal ‘S’ logo), carbon fiber rear spoiler, and GT2 windscreen streamer.
This Sunday at Pebble Beach the Spyker C8 Aileron will make its U.S. debut. Faithful readers will have already seen this car from its debuts at the British and Frankfurt Motor Shows, but we are always looking for a good excuse to show pics of these curvy sports cars.
This appearance will mark Spyker’s 8th presence at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance since the rebirth of the company. The C8 Aileron is a longer wheelbase version of the C8, allowing for more room and convenience options such as an automatic transmission. Expected to enter production by the end of the year, the car will still be powered by the 4.2-liter V-8 from Audi making 400 hp. That should be good for a top speed of 187 mph and acceleration from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. No official U.S. pricing has been announced, but expect to pay over the C8 Laviolette’s $278,000 for this new version.
Although it had its first appearance at the Geneva Motor Show last March, the Spyker C8 Aileron is now making its U.K. debut. And that’s a good enough excuse to show some pics of this awesome hand-built supercar. The C8 Aileron will utilize the same 400 horsepower V-8 from Audi that is in use in the other C8 models. This is the second generation of C8s for the Dutch carmaker. The Aileron updates the C8 line with more interior room through a longer wheelbase, 40% better torsion rigidity, and an available automatic transmission.
Also at the British Motor Show will be the C12 Zagato concept car. This car incorporates the W-12 from Audi, making 500 horsepower. This debuted over a year ago in Geneva, and Spyker has been tempting us with it ever since. So until we can get our hands on the real thing, enjoy the photo gallery.
Picture Gallery
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