Spyker · 2000–present

Spyker C8

The Spyker C8 is a sports car produced by the Dutch automaker Spyker Cars since 2000. The design takes visual cues from the 1999 Spyker Silvestris V8 prototype but with changes to the proportions.

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First generation (2000)

=== Spyder (2000–2009) === The Spyder (later known as the Spyder SWB to distinguish it from Spyker's long-wheelbase offerings) is the original base model of the C8, debuting at the 2000 Birmingham Motor Show. Equipped with an Audi 4.2-litre V8 engine producing 400 PS (294 kW; 395 hp), the Spyder has a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph). Two roof options were available: soft (early and late) and hardtop. The original propeller steering wheel was replaced with one from a Lotus or Lamborghini Gallardo for safety reasons. Laviolette (2001–2009). The Laviolette was the second C8 model to be developed, and was unveiled by Spyker at AutoRAI 2001. The Laviolette has the same Audi 4.2-litre V8 engine producing 400 PS (294 kW; 395 hp) as the Spyder, but replaces the Spyder's retractable soft top roof with a fixed glass canopy and an integrated roof air intake, making it the first C8 Coupé. 55 Laviolettes were built in total. The name 'Laviolette' is a reference to Belgian engineer Joseph Valentin Laviolette, who helped develop several Spyker race cars in the early 1900s. Double 12S (2002–2007). The next year, Spyker commemorated the opening of a new factory with the unveiling of the Double 12S on March 21, 2002. The Double 12S is a road-legal version of the Double 12R race car, and as such uses the same Mader-BMW 4.0L V8. The Double 12S was offered in five different stages of tune, listed below: The name 'Double 12' is a reference to the 24-hour world speed record, set in 1922 by racing driver Selwyn Edge in a Spyker C4. The long-wheelbase chassis was supposed to be equipped with a W12 engine, the C12 model, but only two copies were made - a concept and one with a C12 Zagato body. Spyder T (2003–2007). The Spyder T is a modified version of the original C8 Spyder. This updated model

Second generation (2009)

=== C8 Aileron Concept (2008) === Before the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, the company announced the C8 Laviolette LWB, but the car unveiled was called the C8 Aileron. It had the long wheelbase of the C8 Double 12S (2.67 m), but its bodywork was somewhat similar to the upcoming Aileron (2009). The modified Double 12S chassis featured a suspension layout similar to that of the future Aileron, with double wishbones and vertical shock absorbers. A single example was built because these long-wheelbase Double 12S chassis were rarer and more outdated, and because work was underway on a fully-fledged second-generation C8 Aileron (2009) - a heavily reengineered version with a 2.72 m wheelbase. The exhibition example was not running and was later converted into a right-hand drive customer car. Aileron (2009–2015). At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Spyker debuted the C8 Aileron, described by the company as the second generation of their C8 sports car, to replace the Laviolette. Though still equipped with the same 4.2L Audi V8 from the Spyder and Laviolette, the Aileron features a longer, wider body, and, for the first time in the C8, an optional ZF automatic transmission. Continuing with the aviation themes of previous C8 cars, the Aileron's wheel design is inspired by jet turbine blades, a motif that can be seen throughout the car's aluminum construction and interior. The name 'Aileron' is a reference to the flight control surface of the same name, a nod to the company's history in aviation. Aileron Spyder (2009–2015). A convertible version of the C8 Aileron was unveiled later in 2009 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Aside from the retractable roof, the dimensions and powertrain of the Aileron Spyder are identical to those of the standard Aileron. The Aileron Spyder would repla

Third generation (2016)

The C8 Preliator was officially announced at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show as the third generation C8 sportscar, replacing the Aileron. Though originally Spyker had planned to produce the Preliator with a 5.0L V8 engine supplied by Koenigsegg, in 2018 this deal was called off. Instead, the Preliator will use a 4.2L supercharged Audi V8 producing 525 PS (386 kW; 518 hp), resulting in a 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 322 km/h (200 mph). The car comes with a choice of a 6-speed Getrag manual or a 6 speed ZF automatic transmission. As with previous Spyker models, the car has typical aviation inspired design elements such as NACA styled air-inlets. Driver technology has been upgraded as well compared to previous models, with the C8 Preliator gaining a heads-up display and Bluetooth connectivity for phones. The name 'Preliator' likely comes from the Latin word proeliator, meaning "fighter". Preliator Spyder (2017–present). The following year at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, Spyker unveiled the Preliator Spyder to replace the outgoing Aileron Spyder model. Though introduced with the Koenigsegg V8 producing 600 hp (447 kW; 608 PS), due to the termination of the engine deal the Spyder will also use the Preliator's 4.2L supercharged Audi V8. Preliator XXV Coupé (2026–present). Spyker Cars officially debuted the Preliator XXV Coupé on August 14, 2026, at 10:40 AM PST during its world reveal at The Quail by The Peninsula, A Motorsports Gathering in Carmel, California. The Preliator XXV Coupé comes with a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged Audi V8 engine which produces 800 PS (588 kW; 789 hp), and a true six-speed manual transmission paired with the company's signature exposed shift linkage. It accelerates from 0-62 (0–100 km/h) in 2.7 seconds, has a torque of 1,00

In popular culture

A C8 Spyder appeared in Season 4 episode 7 of Top Gear (UK) driven by Jeremy Clarkson and The Stig. The Spyker C8 Laviolette has been featured in movies such as Basic Instinct 2, War and Fast & Furious 6. It also appeared in "Rizzoli & Isles" Money for Nothing episode. The Spyker C8 was also featured in a 2010 commercial for Reese's Puffs. The C8 has also been featured in a number of video games, including:

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Specifications

name: Spyker C8
Manufacturer: Spyker Cars
Production: 2000–present
Class: Sports car (S)
Layout: RMR layout
Predecessor: Spyker Silvestris V8

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1536463CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyker_C8CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1371883122 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2009_Spyker_C8_Spyder_fL.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Mr.choppers · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.