Monterey 2009: Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder Makes World Debut

This year, at the 59th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Spyker Cars unveiled a convertible version of its widely touted second-generation sports car. There are few modern production cars that are as magnificent as the new Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder prototype, a handcrafted roadster with unparalleled workmanship and an aviation-inspired design aesthetic. The Aileron Spyder features an Audi sourced 400 bhp V8 engine generating 354 lb-ft of torque mated with a Getrag manual six-speed gearbox. An optional ZF automatic transmission with paddle shifters is also available.

This car has a top speed of 187 mph and can make the leap from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. The front and rear independent double-wishbone suspensions systems developed by Lotus provide excellent handling and AP Racing brakes offer more than enough stopping power. Even though this car isn't particularly powerful by today's supercar standard, the C8 Aileron Spyder features a lightweight all-aluminum body that allows it to exhibit tremendous performance capabilities.

As a car designed by Spyker, it's really all of the little touches and attention to detail that set it apart. This new Spyder features turbine engine-shaped air scoops, turbine blade-styled 'Rotorblade' 19 inch wheels and lots of propeller emblems. Even the mirror bodies are mounted on two turbine fan blades. The rear lights are made out of LEDs as are the turn signals and sidelights in the head lamps. The C8 Aileron Spyder is available in 16 different colors with the option to choose a custom palette.

The inside of the vehicle features plush leather from the Litano range of the Dutch Royal Tannery Hulshof, available in 14 variations with any palette optional as well. A brushed aluminum dashboard helps foster Spyker's unique identity and turbine style air vents are a nice touch. To offset the early aviation theme and modernize things a bit, a multifunctional LCD display sits between the speedometer and odometer and mobile entertainment takes the form of Kharma sound system with a digital radio, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity and GPS navigation.

As this is the new open-top model from Spyker, we can't fail to mention the electro-hydraulic roof on the new C8 Aileron Spyder which features a semi-automatic canvas soft-top. A manually-operated single latch mechanism is used to keep weight down. One particularly nice touch is the company's motto "Nulla Tenaci Invia Est Via" (a latin expression that means 'for the tenacious, no road is impassible') written across the sides of the aluminum tonneau cover. And the fun doesn't stop there as the two buttresses are upholstered in quilted Hulstof leather to match the interior. The soft top sports a real glass rear window that's available in 8 different colors. The solid billet aluminum luggage rack rests just behind the cover and sits over the engine bay.

The Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder is scheduled to enter production the first half of 2010. The car will be available with an unlimited 3-year manufacturers warranty. No list price has been set but the hardtop model runs in the low $200,000 price range.

Source: Spyker Cars