Spyker Cars  is a Dutch sports car marque. The modern Spyker Cars holds the legal rights to the brand name. The company's motto is "Nulla tenaci invia est via", which is Latin for "For the tenacious, no road is impassable". The marque's logo displays the rotary engine of an airplane, a reference to the historic Spyker company which manufactured not only automobiles but also aircraft. In an attempt to save Spyker from bankruptcy, Swedish Automobile in September 2011, announced the immediate sale of Spyker to American private equity and hedge fund North Street Capital for €32 million (US$41 million). On December 18, 2014, Spyker confirmed that it deliberately had gone bankrupt, hoping to restructure its finances and getting back on its feet. However, the bankruptcy declaration was reverted early 2015 and the company announced to continue with the production of sports cars.

carriage

In 1896, the Spijker brothers built their first automobile, maintaining the same quality features as with their carriages. In the years that followed, they gained an excellent reputation in the still young car scene, which was expressed, for example, in Great Britain as follows: “The vehicles are like a Rolls-Royce from the continent”. At the same time, the company was also active in motorsport, for example in the hillclimb race at La Turbie near Monte Carlo or in the endurance rally Beijing-Paris. At this rally they used a 14/18 hp car, which was probably the first time in motorsport history that sponsor imprints were applied to – at that time by Louis Vuitton. In 1903 the world’s first vehicle with four-wheel drive and at the same time the first inline six-cylinder engine with an enormous 8.6 liters capacity was created. Both were developed by Joseph Laviolette, their chief technician at the time from Belgium. During World War 1, the company concentrated on the production of planes and aircraft engines, which were sold to all interested countries. Subsequently, automobile production was resumed, an aircraft propeller was added to the brand logo and the company name was changed from Spijker to Spyker in order to be better positioned internationally. By the time the plant was closed in 1926, due to financial problems, around 1,500 vehicles had been produced, of which only around 20 are known today. 13 of them can be seen in the Louwman Musem in The Hague, which well worth seeing.

60 hp

1903

Four-cylinder models were introduced in 1903, along with the six-cylinder Spyker 60 HP, a racer which was the world's first ever four-wheel drive car with a single engine and four-wheel brakes. It was the first ever car built with front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout, and its engine with six cylinders was also a world's first.

The 1905 cars featured a round radiator grille, which became a feature of many of the pre war cars. In 1907, an 18 hp model competed in the 15,000 km Peking to Paris monster race, finishing second in the most gruelling race of its time.

Hendrik-Jan Spijker died in 1907 on his return journey from England when the ferry he was on, the SS Berlin, sank, and this loss led to the bankruptcy of the original company. A group of investors bought the company and restarted production, but Jacobus Spijker was no longer involved.

the reborn

This was followed by 84 years of sleep for the Spyker brand. At the end of the 1990s, however, a certain Mr. DeBruijn worked on a sports car project in the Netherlands. He put a design-loving prototype on the wheels, but didn’t have enough knowledge to set up his own car production. By chance, the entrepreneur and multimillionaire Victor R. Muller became aware of this vehicle, recognized its potential and bought the project from Mr. DeBruijn. He then acquired the long unused name rights to Spyker and revived this Dutch brand in 2000 by presenting the very first C8 Spyder in the UK. Shortly afterwards, the coupé version followed, which was christened ‘Laviolette’ with a view to the brand’s history. In the years that followed, a small factory in Zeewolde produced around 250 sports cars. The bodyshells of which were produced at times by Karmann in Osnabrück/Germany and also by CPP in Coventruy/UK. The successor model for C8 Spyder and C8 Laviolette was called C8 Aileron and didn’t make it beyond a small series of ten due to some financial difficulties, which were caused not least by the dependence on Russian banks, an entry into Formula 1 and a failed takeover of Saab in Sweden. Things looked even bleaker for models such as the C12 Zagato, D8 Peking-to-Paris, C8 Preliator or B6 Venator, most of which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show over the years but never went into series production. No car has been completed since 2018. The Swedish carmaker Koenigsegg withdrew from an engine deal announced in Geneva in 2017, as Spyker hadn’t put a drivable prototype on wheels after more than one year. Thus the second 20th anniversary of the brand is cancelled for the time being. However, the motto ‘Nulla Tenaci Invia Est Via’ was already chosen in the 1920s – For the tenacious no road is impassable.

c8 spyder

The Spyker C8 is a sports car produced by the Dutch automaker Spyker Cars since 2000. The design takes visual cues from the 1999 Spyker Silvestris V8 concept car but the proportions have been changed vastly. The Spyder (later known as the Spyder SWB to distinguish it from Spyker's long-wheelbase offerings) is the original base model of the C8, debuting at the 2000 Birmingham Motor Show. Equipped with an Audi 4.2L V8 engine making 400 PS, the Spyder has a top speed of 300 km/h. 

The Spyder T is a modified version of the original C8 Spyder. This updated model, announced by Spyker at the Amsterdam Motor Show in February 2003, features a twin-turbocharged version of the Spyder's 4.2L V8, resulting in a power increase to 525 PS. To handle the new powertrain, the Spyder T features a wider track and tires over the standard Spyder, as well as suspension and aerodynamic upgrades.

c8 laviolette

The C8 Laviolette is actually the first hardtop vehicle in the history of the brand. It was unveiled in 2001 with aircraft-inspired design and craftsmanship touches in the interior. One of our favorite details is the six-speed gearbox with exposed linkage in the cabin.

Speaking of the drivetrain, just like the C8 Spyder, the C8 Laviolette is powered by a 4.2-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine sourced from the first-generation Audi R8. It has 400 horsepower and 480 Newton-meters of torque delivered to the rear wheels. The power is enough for a 0-100 kilometers per hour acceleration in just 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 300 km/h.

The name 'Laviolette' is a reference to Belgian engineer Joseph Valentin Laviolette, who helped develop several Spyker race cars in the early 1900s.

c8 double12

Later Spyker commemorated the opening of a new factory with the unveiling of the Double 12S on March 21, 2002. The Double 12S is a road-legal version of the Double 12R race car, and as such uses the same modified 4.0L Audi V8. The Double 12S was offered in five different stages of tune. The name 'Double 12' is a reference to the 24-hour world speed record, set in 1922 by racing driver Selwyn Edge in a Spyker C4.

The Spyder T is a modified version of the original C8 Spyder. This updated model, announced by Spyker at the Amsterdam Motor Show in February 2003, features a twin-turbocharged version of the Spyder's 4.2L V8, resulting in a power increase to 525 PS. To handle the new powertrain, the Spyder T features a wider track and tires over the standard Spyder, as well as suspension and aerodynamic upgrades.

c12 la turbie

The Spyker C12 La Turbie is a sports car produced by Dutch automaker Spyker Cars in 2006. The LaTurbie was the first version of the C12 platform, being followed by the C12 Zagato one year later, which featured a unique Zagato designed body. Spyker originally planned to produce 25 LaTurbies, however, in October 2007 it was announced that Spyker had cancelled production of all C12 models, including the C12 LaTurbie and its sister model the C12 Zagato, before any cars were produced, in order to focus their resources on other models.

The Spyker C12 LaTurbie was the first Spyker to run the 6.0 litre VW Group W12 dry sump aluminum engine, giving a power output of 500 bhp and a torque of 600 N⋅m. Top speed is 325 km/h (202 mph) with acceleration from 0–100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.

The car has two luggage compartments, with a leather Louis Vuitton luggage set available to order, specially designed to fit. Inside, gauges are designed by Swiss watchmaker Chronoswiss, which also produces limited-edition Spyker branded wristwatches.

This is Spyker's third long wheelbase car, along with the C8 Double12 S and the C8 Double12 Spyder, which have V8 engines rather than W12s.

c12 zagato

The Spyker C12 Zagato is a limited edition, all-aluminium, mid-engine/rear-drive exotic luxury sports car. It is based on the C12 platform, alongside the Spyker designed C12 La Turbie which debuted the previous year, and features a unique body designed with help from Italian design house Zagato. The Milanese design house Zagato co-designed the model. The C12 Zagato featured all-new design elements inspired by Formula 1. Though the exterior styling is somewhat of a departure from the C8, it retained key features of the C8 such as the scissor doors, interior styling, and general aviation theme. The C12 Zagato is powered by a 6.0 L W12 engine sourced from VW Group (the same engine as featured in the Audi A8 and Volkswagen Phaeton). For the C12 Zagato, Spyker Cars have tuned the W12 to produce 500 PS. The C12 Zagato was to be offered with a choice of a 6-speed automatic gearbox with paddle-shifters or a traditional 6-speed manual.

In July 2007, it was announced that C12 production was delayed, and a couple of months later in October announced that it was cancelled, as Spyker had decided to focus their resources on other models such as the C8 and then-upcoming SSUV. Reportedly, only one prototype was built before production was cancelled. Only 1 was made.

aileron

Powering the C8 Aileron is an engine borrowed from Audi. It's a 4.2-liter supercharged V-8 that produces 525 horsepower at the crank. Paired with a 6-speed automatic, Spyker says the car will run from 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds.

Since launching in late 1999, the modern incarnation of Spyker has sold somewhere just north of 300 vehicles. A peak sales year in 2006 saw nearly 100 of those sales ship out the door. Now Spyker is hoping to relive some of those strong-sales months with the launch of the C8 Preliator and some additional models.

The price for one of these special edition C8 Aileron LM85 examples? Spyker  it's not sharing the window sticker. You can be sure that it won't be cheap.

preliator

The C8 Preliator was officially announced at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show as the third generation C8 sportscar, replacing the Aileron. Though originally Spyker had planned to produce the Preliator with a 5.0L V8 engine supplied by Koenigsegg, in 2018 this deal was called off. Instead, the Preliator will use a 4.2L supercharged Audi V8 producing 525 PS, resulting in a 0-100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 322 km/h. The car comes with a choice of a 6-speed Getrag manual or a 6 speed ZF automatic transmission. As with previous Spyker models, the car has typical aviation inspired design elements such as NACA styled air-inlets. Driver technology has been upgraded as well compared to previous models, with the C8 Preliator gaining a heads-up display and bluetooth connectivity for phones.

The name 'Preliator' likely comes from the Latin word proeliator, meaning "fighter".

The following year at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, Spyker unveiled the Preliator Spyder to replace the outgoing Aileron Spyder model. Though introduced with the Koenigsegg V8 producing 600 hp, due to the termination of the engine deal the Spyder will also use the Preliator's 4.2L supercharged Audi V8.

le mans

The Spyker Squadron was the factory racing team from Dutch sportscar manufacturer Spyker Cars. The team raced in various endurance championships and non-championship races from 2002 to 2010. Daily operations were managed by Peter van Erp, the later Spyker Cars COO.

2005-2008

On 26 January 2010, General Motors (GM) confirmed that Spyker and GM had come to an agreement allowing Spyker to purchase Saab Automobile, subject to regulatory and government approval; the sale was completed on February 23, 2010.  General Motors would continue to supply Saab with engines, transmissions and also completed vehicles in the shape of the new Saab 9-4X from GM's Mexican factory. The deal included a loan from the European Investment Bank, guaranteed by the Swedish government.

Saab Automobile quickly ran out of money and Spyker was unable to fund the losses. The companies stopped paying their bills in early 2011. On March 30, 2011, production was halted at Saab Automobile, due to suppliers refusing to deliver without payment.

Spyker CEO Victor Muller made several attempts at acquiring funding. A joint venture with Chinese company Hawtai was announced on May 3, 2011, only to fall apart a week later. Shortly afterwards joint ventures with Chinese car maker Youngman, and Chinese car-dealership chain Pang Da were announced. Negotiations ended with Spyker attempting to sell all of the shares in Saab Automobile to the Chinese companies on October 28, 2011, for 100 million euros. This transaction did not have the approval of former Saab-owner General Motors, who refused to supply technological licenses to Youngman and Pang Da. The proposed deal fell apart. Spyker CEO Victor Muller applied for the bankruptcy of Saab Automobile on December 19, 2011.

saab spyker 9+

When Spyker announced to purchase troubled Saab from General Motors in 2010, it was easy to get upbeat about the possibilities of a Dutch boutique sports car maker with interesting designs and a small car manufacturer from Sweden. Eduard Gray is from the Trollhattan area and his design firm Gray Design also penned their vision of a new Saab 93 based on the designs from the early Saab years.

Mr. Gray took advantage of the unique opportunity to create a design that takes the best qualities of each brand and combines into one super car. Spyker influences are a supercar chassis with a mid-mounted engine and a low-to-the-gound aerodynamic design. Saab contributes with their history of engineering, unique design language and character.

The “Saab Spyker 9+ Tribute” is just a quick expression of optimism for the future of the brand, according to the designer. This design was created in 2010 and the Spyker-Saab future is all but a distant memory. But it still is nice to dream of what could have been.

d8 peking-to-paris

The Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV produced by the Dutch car manufacturer Spyker Cars. The car was designed by Michiel van den Brink and introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show as the D12. With a change in proposed engine to a V8, the Peking-to-Paris was renamed D8. The name Peking-to-Paris refers to the Peking to Paris endurance rally held in 1907 from Peking (now called Beijing) in China to Paris in France, in which an almost standard Spyker car participated, driven by Frenchman Ch. Goddard. The Spyker car came in second in the rally after a three-month drive.

Although the D8 is a crossover SUV, it shares many design features found on Spyker's other sports cars such as the C8. Among these features are the D8's aluminum "aeroblade" wheels and one piece aluminum rear view mirrors. Also notable is that the back seat doors are hinged at the rear, giving the D8 suicide doors.

The D12 was initially shown to the public at Geneva Motor Show in 2006. Designed with a 500 bhp  VW Group Volkswagen W12 engine, Spyker aims for a weight of 1,850 kg and an acceleration from 0–100 km/h  in 5.0 seconds. After the introduction in Geneva, the model already received "well over 100 orders".

The Spyker F1 Team, known as the Etihad Aldar Spyker F1 Team for sponsorship reasons, was a Formula One team that competed in the 2007 Formula One World Championship. It was created by Spyker Cars after their buyout of the short-lived Midland F1 (formerly Jordan Grand Prix) team. The change to the Spyker name was accompanied by a switch in racing livery from the red and white previously used by Midland, to an orange and silver scheme—already seen on the Spyker Spyder GT2-R—orange being the national colour and the auto racing colour of the Netherlands. At the end of the 2007 season the team was sold and renamed Force India.

Spyker F1 Team was the second Formula One constructor to represent The Netherlands nationality since Boro Racing that competed in the 1976 and 1977 seasons.

Although created in 2006, the team's roots can be traced back to the year 1991, when it was founded as Jordan Grand Prix. The Silverstone-based squad and facilities were bought by the Midland group in 2005 and renamed Midland F1 in 2006, before being sold to Spyker Cars towards the end of the 2006 season.

On 9 September 2006, it was revealed that the team was sold to Spyker Cars, a Dutch manufacturer of hand-built cars. Spyker paid $106.6 million for the team. On 10 September, ITV commentators said that both Shnaider and former consultant Johnny Herbert were no longer involved in the team since the announcement of the sale.

Former Midland drivers Christijan Albers and Tiago Monteiro were retained for the remaining part of the 2006 season, while it was also confirmed at Spyker's debut race in China that Albers would be staying with the successor team for the 2007 season. As part of the purchase of Midland by Spyker, the cars had a revised livery for the final three races of 2006. The name of the team also changed to Spyker MF1 Racing, as FIA regulations preclude a change of a team's name during a season but do allow for a sponsor name to be added to the front.

On 14 August, Spyker Cars announced that it might need to sell all or part of the team due to a potential split of the team from its parent company. The team was sold to a consortium named "Orange India" led by Indian businessman Vijay Mallya and Dutch entrepreneur (and existing board member) Michiel Mol after approval by Spyker's shareholders. Mallya attended the Chinese Grand Prix as team owner. The team was renamed Force India for the 2008 season.