Geneva Motor Show: Spyker C8 Preliator Spyder revealed

The boutique Dutch sports car maker unveiled its hard-top coupe at the Geneva motor show this time last year, complete with a 391kW version of the (now-defunct) Audi V8 engine that started life powering the 2006 RS4 and original R8 supercar.

One year later and now – in a move not helpful for those who suffer from dyslexia – Spyker has revealed the Spyder version of its C8 Preliator complete with a heart transplant.

The new naturally-aspirated dry-sump 5.0-litre V8 has been developed by Koenigsegg “specifically to meet Spyker’s needs”, although it’s unclear whether the unit shares parts and design with the twin-turbocharged versions found in the Koenigsegg Agera. Either way, there’s no electric assistance here.

It delivers for the C8 Preliator a handy 50kW-plus power increase to 447kW at 7100rpm on the way to an 8000rpm cut-out, while torque is now pegged at 600Nm at 5700rpm. It also decreases the 0-60mph (0-97km/h) performance claim by a tenth to 3.6 seconds, despite the 1390kg electrically foldable soft-top mechanism adding 85kg to the 1305kg hard-top.

Spyker and Koenigsegg each commented on the engine collaboration following the unveiling of the C8 Preliator Spyder at the Geneva motor show.

“Spyker cars have always been bespoke in every aspect apart from their drivetrain,” Koenigsegg chief Christian von Koenigsegg said in a statement.

“Therefore it gives us great pleasure to work with Spyker to design and produce an engine specifically for them that will suit the handcrafted, luxurious and high-performance nature of all Spyker cars.”

Added Spyker CEO, Victor Muller: “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.”

It’s a six-speed manual-only proposition, too, with Muller further noting that “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.”

Production of the C8 Preliator Spyder will be limited to 100 units per year coming out of the company’s Coventry, UK, facility. While the hard-top is priced in US $354,900 the soft-top commands a decent hike – US $429,000 or AU $565K.