Spyker C8

The Spyker is an enigma. On one hand, it's a basic, down-to-earth sports car, thankfully bereft of modern electronic gimmickry that too often comes between the driver and the driving experience. No traction control, no launch control, no irritating paddle shifters, no power brakes or even the option of an automatic transmission. A proven, off-the-shelf Audi V-8 pumping out around 400 hp propels the C8 along at an impressive, if not earth-shattering by supercar standards, rate. Ease of service at a reasonable price sets it apart from most exotica, and the distinctive baroque styling shouts "exotic sports car" without looking Italian in the process. The little Dutch sports car has much to commend it, if, on the other hand, you can just get around the $260,000 base price.

Mouse That Roars
Spyker is a young car company, founded in 2005, that has resurrected the name of a long-dead Dutch manufacturer that made high-end sporting machinery from 1898 to 1925. The new Spykers are the brainchild of company founder Victor Muller who launched the tiny company with modest goals—to build 100 cars per year, win Le Mans and compete in Formula 1. In other words, it's a mouse that roars.


At present Spyker has only one basic platform, the C8, which is sold in a number of versions. The C8 Spyder is a convertible with an emphasis on open-air motoring. The C8 Laviolette is a coupe with a bubble top, while the C8 Double 12S is a slightly longer version with sporty riveted-on wheel flares. There is also a racing version, the C8 Spyder GT2R. Spyker plans to soon add a hotter sports car and an SUV powered by W-12 VW engines.


The street car side of Spyker is working very hard toward its goals, but has built less than 100 cars total to this point. The C8 is based on an aluminum monocoque chassis with a rocker-arm suspension and a mid-mounted Audi V-8 driving through a six-speed manual transaxle. The aluminum bodywork is flawless, and the sumptuous leather interior is almost too nice to sit in. The polished metal interior trim can best be described as "automotive jewelry." With its lavish use of chrome and polished metal, the Spyker takes on a "Fifties futuristic" look straight out of an old Buck Rogers movie.

Well-Bred, Race-Bred
You might think that for $260K you would get everything up to, and including, a platinum-plated kitchen sink, but in fact the Spyker has a long list of expensive options not included in the $260,000 base price. Quilted leather seats, Louis Vuitton fitted luggage, Chronoswiss instruments and engine-turned interior trim are but a few of the extras that can shoot the price of a C8 over $300,000.