Spyker releases full details of $500,000 C8 Preliator

Netherland’s supercar-maker, Spyker, has released full spec and pricing for its first model since it went bankrupt in 2014.

Called the C8 Preliator -- an unusual name is said to be derived from the Latin word for ‘fighter’ and inspired by the famous war planes made by Spyker during 1914-1918 -- Spyker's latest creation is said to be an evolution of the C8 Aileron that went on sale back in 2009.

The new Dutch supercar is powered, again, by an Audi-sourced 4.2-litre V8, but this time it’s been supercharged to produce 386kW/600Nm.

Weighing in a just 1390kg, Spyker claims the Preliator can sprint from standstill to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds and top out at 322km/h.

Available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic ZF transmission, both models come with the firm’s exposed gear selector.

Now made at a new plant in Coventry in the UK, the Preliator is said to have a completely new aero package compared to the Aileron it replaces that includes aircraft-inspired NACA ducts. There are also small ailerons added to the front splitter and side skirts to channel air more effectively.

New LED lights are now used in the front and rear lamps as well as the indicators.

Under the skin the old car’s aluminium space-frame chassis carries over, but is said to have been redesigned to increase torsional rigidity by 10 per cent to improve handling.

British sportscar-maker Lotus, meanwhile, is said to have helped Spyker develop a completely new suspension for the Preliator that includes new double wishbones all around, plus coil-over dampers and front and rear anti-roll bars.

New, bigger versions of the firm’s ‘Turbofin’ 19-inch alloys wheels are also added.

To reign in the C8’s newfound performance, Spyker teamed up with AP Racing to come up with a powerful braking package. Carbon ceramic discs are also an option.

Spyker has announced it will make just 50 C8 Preliators.

It’s unlikely any will venture Down Under, but if they do, using European pricing as a guide, expect the C8 Preliator to cost around $480,000 for the manual and another $10,000 for the auto.

With Spyker now debt-free after being declared near bankrupt in 2014, the C8 Preliator is seen as a stop-gap before the new range of Spyker supercars arrive in the next year or so.

Following its merger with US-based electric aircraft maker, Volta Volare, it’s thought the first all-new supercar from the rebooted supercar-maker will take advantage of its new parent company’s pure-electric knowhow and be a zero-emission hypercar.