Since the Spyker nameplate isn’t exactly the most recognizable among the non-auto enthusiast crowd, let us provide some background history on one of the lesser-known automotive companies in the world today.
The Spijker brothers founded the coach-building Spyker company in 1880. By the turn of the century, Spyker introduced its first automobiles, and shortly thereafter the company went on to build World War I airplanes and aircraft engines. This marked the beginning of Spyker’s symbolic and enduring aeronautical heritage, which still serves as inspiration for some of the styling cues found in current Spyker cars. The business side of things, however, was far from glorious and financial woes prompted the Spyker company to fold in 1926.
Present-day company, Spyker Cars was founded in 1999 and is unrelated to the aforementioned Spyker company, but Spyker Cars hold the legal rights to its brand name. The first prototype of the Spyker C8 supercar was unveiled by Spyker Cars in 2000, and remains in production. The production volume is very low and, therefore, the C8 command a very high price. The Spyker C8 comes in a number of variants, including the C8 Laviolette and C8 Double 12R, but this review will cover only one variant: the C8 Spyder.
the luxury ride
The “Spyder” moniker means that this particular C8 is a convertible, and an exceedingly good-looking one at that. It packs a potent 4.2-liter 40-valve Audi V8 that pumps out 400 horsepower and scorches the pavement going from 0-62 mph in only 4.5 seconds. All that power is kept under control with a sophisticated F1-style independent suspension system that provides racecar-like handling with pinpoint accuracy. The 6-piston brake calipers ensure that the Spyker Spyder will rub away speed as vigorously as it produces it. Its aluminum space-frame chassis clad with aluminum panels results in a package that tips the scales at a lightweight 2,750 pounds.Step inside and you’ll quickly notice that excess and embellishment are not words you can use to describe this Spyker. This is a different type of high-end: It's a no-nonsense type of luxury, which means the interior of the Spyker Spyder is a far cry from the burled-walnut and leather soaked Jaguar XKRs or the Mercedes CLS' of the world. The 1920s aeronautical theme permeates throughout the interior, with wheel mags that look like propeller blades and an airplane cockpit-like instrument cluster accented with machined aluminum. In fact, there is so much of this machined aluminum in the interior that it gives the car a cold, almost industrial look. The seats are covered in quilted Connolly leather, but that doesn't prevent the overall look of the interior from looking relatively minimal. The car has a stereo, but if you choose to drive any faster than you would in a cul-de-sac with children present, you won’t be able to hear it anyway. I'm not sure if all this is intended to be understated luxury, but it certainly is modest.
The verdict
Despite some of its tangible shortcomings, the Spyker Spyder is a delight to your aesthetic side in its own ways. Its distinctive styling ostensibly flaunts Spykers aeronautical heritage. In addition, its low production volume ensures that you’ll be a member of an exclusive club of privileged Spyker owners, and there’s no greater luxury than exclusivity. The Spykers exclusivity is something that brands such as Mercedes, Jaguar and even Aston Martin cannot match.Overall rating: 38/50
Can the Spyker's hot looks make up for it's lack of practicality?
the practical ride
Although the Spyker Spyder brings a new meaning to low-slung automotive styling, it manages to provide two luggage compartments, one in the back and one in the front. This car only seats two, meaning three’s not only a crowd, it’s downright illegal. But in all fairness, the Spyker Spyder was never intended to be particularly accommodating to passengers and cargo alike. The same goes for the racing-tuned suspension, which produces a ride so harsh that it's physically tiring to drive this car for extended periods of time on stretches of less-than-perfect pavement.Considering the performance of this Spyker and its exotic car status, its 14 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 19 mpg on the highway is quite impressive, if not outright exceptional. For comparisons sake, a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti gets 10 mpg in the city and just 17 mpg on the highway, while the Bentley Arnage can barely achieve 10 mpg in the city or 15 mpg on the highway. You won’t be the darling of any environmentalist groups, but at least you can assure yourself that you did your fair share as a member of the extremely wealthy.
European cars have never been known for reliability, and the Spyker C8 Spyder should be no exception. Finding replacement parts for this car should prove to be a challenge at the very least, and an expensive one at that.
The verdict
And speaking of expensive, did we mention that the Spyker Spyder boasts a sticker price of $270,000 to $300,000 USD depending on options? Keep in mind that this car is also produced in low volume, meaning that finding this car won’t be easy and once you do find it, expect to pay dealer markups in addition to the retail price. With the price of one Spyker Spyder, you can purchase the Mercedes CLS three times or two Porsche 911 Turbos. This Spyker costs even more than the faster and much more recognizable baby bull, the Lamborghini Gallardo.Overall rating: 35/50
and the total is...
As mentioned before, the Spyker Spyder is indeed an exclusive automobile for the unusually wealthy, but an almost $300,000 sticker is a stiff price to pay for a model your neighbors wouldn’t even recognize or appreciate. This car has some serious power, but in today’s competitive market there are cars costing less than half as much that can either match or exceed the Spyker's power and presence.On the flip side, its radically seductive styling befits a car of its price, and a Dutch car will be a delight for the non-conformists who don't want the mundane German-bred automobiles. The Spyker Spyder is an intriguing ride overall, and a great car for those who wish to stray from the norm of the extremely well-to-do.
Overall rating: 73/100
Resources:
http://autos.aol.com/
http://www.spykercars.com/?pag=8
http://en.wikipedia.org/
http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-Spyker-C8-Spyder-T.htm
http://drivingsports.com/mag/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z2761/Spyker_C8%20Spyder/default.aspx
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/205680/spyker_c8.html
http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=fuel&subject=fuelList&story=mpgWorst&referer=&aff=national
http://www.gayot.com/lifestyle/automobile/reviews/2006/spyker_c8.html
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