Spyker C8 Preliator
Founded in the Netherlands in 1880 as a producer of carriages, Spyker pivoted to create fighter planes at the outset of the World War I but eventually failed in 1925. In 2000, the name was revived, with the company now focusing on producing boutique high-end sports cars, the latest of which, the C8 Preliator. The coupe iteration was introduced in 2016, while the Spyder was introduced a year later at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show rocking a fresh powerplant courtesy of Koenigsegg Automotive.
Like its hardtop counterpart, the C8 Preliator exhibits a two-door exterior aesthetic inspired by the company's aviation past. Examples of this design philosophy can be seen in the propeller-like design of the C8 Spyder and turbine engine-inspired design in the C8 Aileron. The Preliator continues the philosophy with submerged air intakes and NACA ducts. The updated look of the Preliator also translates into increased aero and thermal efficiency thanks to high-re computational fluid dynamics simulations run by Wirth Research Ltd.
Lotus was brought in to complete the suspension design which comprised up fully independent wishbones on all four corners and an updated kinematic layout. Further updates include front and rear stabilizer bars, anti-dive and anti-squat geometry all forged from aluminum to save weight. The suspension is mated to an aluminum space-frame chassis making it a lightweight package, tipping the scales at roughly 3,000lbs. Accompanied by the lightweight and superior suspension design is a sensitive steering rack that takes just three turns from lock-to-lock, making the car very eager to change directions. To stop the vehicle, Spyker is fitted with 13.8-inch vented, cross-drilled steel discs and four-pot calipers in front, plus 332 mm (13.1-inch) vented and cross-drilled steel discs with four-pot calipers in the rear from AP Racing. Optional Carbon Ceramics were also available to customers.
The engine supplied and developed by Koenigsegg specifically for the C8 application is a 5 liter, naturally aspirated, dry sump, 32 valve nuke putting out 600hp and 442lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Top speed is limited to 201 mph, and the Preliator can run 0-60mph in just 3.2 seconds.
The C8 Preliator was a significant leap for the young boutique car manufacturer, as stated by CEO Victor R. Muller, “This is our single most important advancement in technology since I founded Spyker in 2000. I have always admired the amazing technologies developed by Christian von Koenigsegg and his dedicated team creating one of the most sophisticated cars and engines on the planet, and I am convinced our Spyker C8 Preliator clients will tremendously enjoy the huge performance leap.” Christian Von Koenigsegg had some kind words to say about the company as well, “I have always admired Spyker’s tenacity and their commitment to building one-of-a-kind cars that stay true to a well-honed ethos and always been impressed by their amazing craftsmanship and beauty. The attention to detail is amazing.”
