Sneak Peek: Along came a Spyker
If you’re tired of Italian exotica, maybe it’s time to go Dutch
By Hadi Soedarsono
IF FERRARIS AND Lamborghinis are passé to you, then Spyker cars may just be what you are looking for.
Based in Holland, Spyker started producing automobiles in 1898. It had a reputation for making some of the most powerful and exclusive sports cars that often established speed records. The company later ventured into building fighter aircraft and engines, but ceased operation in 1925.
Fast forward to 1999, the legal right to the Spyker name was acquired by two businessmen, Victor Muller and Maarten de Bruijin. The company Spyker Cars was reborn and it then proceeded to launch super-exclusive sports cars like the C8 Laviolette and Spyder.
The former is a coupe, while the latter is the soft-top version. They are hand-built and have aluminium space frame and body panels. An Audi-sourced 400bhp 4.2-litre V8 with 40 valves is mounted behind the cabin, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, driving the rear wheels with a limited-slip differential and ABS.
Spyker claims both C8 models are capable of a 300km/h top-speed and they will sprint from naught to
100km/h in 4.5 seconds.
A brief passenger ride in the Laviolette convinced us that the claimed maximum speed might be on the conservative side. The V8 seemed to have plenty more of juice left at 240km/h and there’s no drama or whatsoever in terms of chassis stability at that velocity.
The suspension has a sporty feel, but is surprisingly plush at the same time. The C8 should make an exceptional grand tourer that will provide a good balance between performance and comfort.
The interior is clad in posh leather and polished aluminium, and we loved the orange stitching that contrasted the black upholstery while scissors-style doors add a classy, dramatic touch.
If you have a million dollars lying around, well, that’s still not quite enough to buy a Spyker C8. Prices start from $1.05 million to be exact and there’s a list of options for you to customize your ride at extra charge.
Auto Palace Pte Ltd (subsidiary of Hong Seh Group of Companies) is Singapore’s official importer of Spyker Cars. You can visit the showroom to check out the orange C8 Laviolette that you see here in the flesh at 237 Alexandra Road, #01-08 The Alexcier.
