2007 Spyker C8 Spyder Review

Taking Flight

In short: An exotic, Dutch-built super car of a roadster.

One of the greatest advantages of driving a Spyker is that you will find yourself in quite a unique situation. Only a handful of these exotic works of art are on the road, and each are, more or less, custom made. Welcome to the $300,000 car club! It is a superior automobile in many ways and simple in many others. It’s the one you get when you are done impressing your Porsche-driving friends with your Bentley GTC, Aston-Martin roadster or Ferrari F430 Spider.

It's simple because there is no radio. In fact, you can switch the engine sound mode from normal to accentuated. It’s simple because there is limited power steering, and no braking assistance or traction control. This is a true driver car loaded with modern engine technology, in this case loaned by Audi, evoking the early days of racing. When you take this unit out for a drive, it promises to be a workout—not a good daily driver option. It is designed to accelerate fast, turn tight corners at high speeds and stop on command. Simple, no?

The craftsmanship of the interior is stunning, with apparent mechanical linkage for the transmission, chromed old fashion switches and supple quilted leather. Outside, you have a fluid, original-looking body with lots of entry opportunities for air cooling and induction. The name came out of a Dutch coachbuilder firm from the 1890s, which also built airplanes into WWI; hence the propeller logo and the aircraft theme throughout the car. Will such a automobile prove to be reliable and become a classic? Will it continuously impress your friends as much as it did your bank account? These are questions that remain to be answered… but if you ever get a ride in a Spyker C8 Spyder, you will not soon forget it. Next to the real thing, it’s as close to flying an open cockpit aircraft.

Warranty/Service: Two-year, 24,000-mile basic warranty.

QUICK SHEET Base Price: $269,995 / As Tested: $297,000 Technical Specifications Vehicle type: rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door roadster convertible Engine: 4.2-liter V8 Horsepower: 400 bhp @ 6500 rpm Torque: 354 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm Transmission: 6-speed manual Curb weight: 2,750 lbs Wheelbase: 101 in Length/Width/Height: 165.0/74.0/42.0 in Turning circle: N/A Brakes: four-wheel disc with ABS Suspension: independent front and rear Traction: none Safety: front air bags 0-60 mph: 4.5 seconds Top Speed: 187 mph EPA City: N/A EPA Highway: N/A

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Photography: AlphaMedia

P121806

(Updated: 01/12/12 NW)