Car of the Day - Spyker C8 Aileron

Car of the Day - Spyker C8 Aileron

Spyker first displayed their new 2nd generation car in prototype form at the 2008 Salon International de l’Automobile in Geneva, the production version was launched at the same show one year later.

After establishing the new Spyker brand in 2000 the company has had enough success to have get through the hump years and is now one of the top three niche SuperCar builders in Europe. Spyker, Pagani and Koenigsegg are to the naughties what De Tomaso, Bizzarini and Iso where to the sixties. All have built individualistic cars using sourced engines clothed in beautiful European designs.

The original Spyker company was formed in 1875 as a coachbuilder, it built its first car in 1898 and ceased trading in 1925. During its fifty years of operation it also built aircraft and engines and has a proud aviation heritage that is reflected in its new design language. In both automotive and aviation fields it developed a reputation for building quality exotic machinary using advanced technologies. It also prided itself on its cars and planes being dependable.

The company is built on five defining pillars that give the brand its direction; - heritage, design, craftsmanship, performance and exclusivity, which is paired with the company slogan of “Nulla tenaci invia est via.” For the tenacious no road is impassable. A completely apt slogan for a niche SuperCar builder.

The new C8 Aileron is seen by the company as a turning point in the companys history (in this case towards profitability), hence the name Aileron, which is the moving plane at the end of an aircrafts wing that enable it to bank and turn.

The Aileron is a completely new car from the ground up and features and all-aluminum spaceframe with increased torsional rigidity and an all new suspension system. The wheelbase has been extended by 150 mm over the first gen Spyker cars; the Spyker C8 Laviolette and C8 Spyder This extension to the wheelbase provides extra interior space and stability at high speeds. The front track has also been substantially increased by 155 mm. The front and rear track are now 1625 mm and 1645mm respectively, this, combined with the longer wheelbase means the road handling has been significantly improved.

The new suspension sees a front and rear independent double-wishbone set-up and includes front and rear stabilizer bars, mono-tube dampers, coil over damper steel springs, anti-dive and anti-squat setup and the shock absorbers are now placed vertically within the wishbones. A number of suspension components are made of forged aluminium

The design of the first gen Spyker cars was tied to the aircraft propeller and while Spyker have maintained the aviation themeing they have moved it to the turbine. Turbine references abound in the beautifully detailed and unique interior.

The longer wheelbase from a visual point of view has been absorbed by stretching the canopy rearwards. The front end now features a larger grille providing additional cooling. The rear diffuser has been redesigned and an extra spoiler has been placed under the diffuser which boosts the ground effect produced by the diffuser.

One of the biggest improvement to overall design is the elimination of the split side windows having been replaced by single-pane side windows that are fully retractable. This not only ads to the visual appeal by being a much more cohesive solution but also considerably improves driver comfort.

The C8 Aileron still uses the Audi sourced 4.2 litre V8 in 400 bhp tune. Two transmissions are on offer; the 6-speed Getrag manual gearbox or a ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifts

The interior is a sight to behold and the wheelbase extension means there is now more of it. The extra space has resulted in a higher
comfort level, improved ergonomics and more practicality. The high quality leather is from the Litano range of the Dutch Royal Tannery Hulshof and available in 14 standard colours, but any other colour – if desired by the customer – can be ordered.

Complementing the body design and aviation theming are new optional 10-blade, 19-inch directional rotor wheels, branded Rotorblade.

Rod Halligan