Spyker stretches the C8 Laviolette to make the Spyker C8 Aileron

But those problems faded last year when Spyker got solid investment from a Russian banker. Which means Spyker can once more push forward after a period of struggle, although what impact the crisis engulfing the car market in general will have is anybody’s guess.

Spyker C8 Aileron - a stretched C8 Laviolette

We had half expected the story at Geneva for Spyker to be the reveal of the Spyker SUV – the Spyker D12 Peking-Paris – in something close to production ready state. The D12 was actually premièred at Geneva in 2006, so it would have been good to see the car back at Geneva 2009 ready to roll.

But Spyker are having problems with the engine choice. Originally scheduled to have a V12, it is now clear that it won’t be the Spyker D12 at all, but the Spyker D8 Peking-Paris - with a V8 instead. But this project will happen (the Russian investor apparently invested because he fell in love with the D12), but not until the power unit is sorted.

So instead, we’re treated to a stretched version of the C8 Laviolette – The Spyker C8 Aileron. The C8 Aileron gets more room, some general titivation and an Audi-sourced 400bhp lump. And by making the car bigger, Spyker hopes that its cars will be more appealing to the Americans, a potentially big market for Spyker – as long as they ‘Get’ the unique interiors and quirkiness of the cars.

Good to see Spyker back on the up. There is nothing else quite like them.

(Catch the full Spyker press release on the C8 Aileron below. Be warned – it’s big!)

World debut for the production version of the Spyker C8 Aileron at the Salon International de l’Automobile in Geneva

SPYKER C8 AILERON: A COMPLETELY NEW CAR

Technical Specifications Spyker C8 Aileron

By Cars UK