Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder (2009) first pictures

By Gareth Evans

First Official Pictures

17 August 2009 12:30

Dutch supercar maker Spyker unveiled a prototype for its forthcoming C8 Aileron Spyder at the 2009 Pebble Beach concours d'elegance. It's a drop-top version of the company’s hand-crafted C8 Aileron and production versions are due early in 2010.

There's a coupe version as well - which was unveiled at this year's Geneva motor show - and together the two cars mark Spyker's second generation of supercars after the original C8s. The new cars sit on a 150mm longer wheelbase, and both Ailerons are powered by a 400bhp/345lb ft 4.2-litre V8.

In the Spyder the Audi-derived engine can be mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed auto (with the company's trademark exposed gear linkages) and it's enough for the aerospace-inspired car to fly to 60mph in 4.5 seconds and top out at 187mph.

The fabric hood is semi automatic, so you have to manually unlatch it, but after that the canvas roof and integrated glass rear window electrically fold away under an aluminium tonneau. The tonneau is flanked by two buttresses which are quilted in the same leather as the interior, and between them sits a a wing-shaped luggage case mounted to a rack made from solid billets of aluminium.

Beyond that there are 19-inch wheels, suspension designed and supplied by Lotus, the option of a five-piece Louis Vuitton luggage set as well carbon ceramic brakes, so if you want one of the first production cars due early in 2010, get your name on the waiting list now.

By Gareth Evans