Two European boutique car makers have joined forces to present exotic car buyers a viable alternative to the Ferraris and Lamborhginis they are so used to. We are talking about the new Spyker C8 Preliator Spyder which made it Geneva debut last week with a Koenigsegg V8 in its midst.
The new Koenigsegg powertrain will be used in all Spyker C8 Preliator models, replacing the old Audi V8. At 600 hp and 600 Nm of torque the 5.0 liter dry sump V8 unit is not that much more powerful than the 530 hp Audi motor, but the fact that it’s a Koenigsegg adds a lot of class to the car and just makes it feel faster even if it really isn’t!
The carbon fiber-bodied Spyker C8 Preliator also gets a six-speed manual gearbox which gives the driver a lot of old-school fun. You need to be very lucky to get one though, because even if you can afford the car, they are only making a 100 units of the Spyder.
Victor R. Muller, Spyker’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, said on the occasion: “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. The 600 horsepower V8 engine with manual gearbox, ticks all the boxes of the Spyker brand; it’s Bold, Pure, and Engaging but foremost hyper-exclusive hence a perfect match to the Spyker C8 Preliator coupe as well as the Spyder we unveil this morning. In fact, this is the only 600 horsepower series produced sports car available with a manual gearbox on the market today. Although our peers believe the manual is virtually dead, and many have vowed we would never see them again, our discerning clients have clearly spoken out in favour of the manual: the Koenigsegg powered Spyker C8 Preliator Spyder will provide an engaging purist driving experience second to none tantalising all senses. The howling sound of this normally aspirated engine will be unmistakable and thrilling.”
