The 2012 Spyker C8 Aileron

 

 

The Netherlands answer to the Ferrari F430

 

 

                (Spyker Aileron)                                                          (Ferrari F430)

 

     Ever wanted a car that looks incredibly shiny inside and has first class leather upholstery? If so the Spyker C8 Aileron is the car for you. Made in the Spyker Cars factory in Amsterdam, Netherlands, the Spyker Aileron is the kind of car somebody would buy if they want both performance and posh looks from inside and out. In fact Forbes Magazine states that many Ferrari owners across the world will have at least one Spyker in their garage. Even more interesting is the fact that Spyker customers can view the construction of their Aileron from a camera in their homes to make sure nothing bad is happening to their car. This is all very good and all but you came to hear about car facts from an average American Joe and not from a magazine.

     Now for the Aileron's engine. The Aileron uses a powerful V-8 engine from Audi hence the number 8 in the car's name. This mighty German engine delivers a top speed of 187 mph, 400 horsepower, and a 0 to 62 time of 4.5 seconds. Given the class this car is in some video games like Forza Motorsport 4 that is very impressive. Torque is at 354 LB-FT at 3,500 RPM. Maximum RPM output is at 7,200. The Aileron is also rear-wheel drive and features a six-speed automatic gearbox.

     Let's talk about the interior now. The Aileron's interior uses Hulshof leather and aluminum. Very little glass is used in the interior's construction. The aluminum stick shift is completely revealed so driver's can see what they're doing when they shift gears and perform other functions like parking. Cool huh? In fact all of this is done to make the interior look like the inside of an aero plane. This is also shown in the red ignition switch which drivers must flick to start ignition. Doing this lights up the gauges. Although the gauges look like those found in a old aero plane you have the option of switching them for German Chronoswiss milled dials. Chronoswiss milled dials can also be applied to the switches in the car as well. As for the engine you power it up by pressing a black button near the steering wheel featuring the Spyker Cars logo.

     The Aileron uses radial-mounted caliper disc brakes provided by AP Racing and originally come in black and have the word Spyker in silver. These radial-mounted caliper disc brakes are made of aluminum. Now get this. The suspension was developed jointly between Spyker Cars and Lotus which means this car has some British in it as well. The suspension features a wishbone style and is adjustable.

     Now for the really cool stuff. The Aileron's doors open with a scissor-like motion similar to most Lamborghinis and the first car to feature them; the Alfa Romeo Carabo. The leather on the seats can be customized to the buyer's tastes. The car also comes in sixteen color choices as shown on the Spyker Cars website. Price ranges from $125,000 to $150,000 depending on what you decide to put in your Aileron. That's basically Lamborghini Diablo money.

     I have driven a stock version of this car on Forza Motorsport 4, and I honestly believe that it has borderline Ferrari performance in cornering, speed, and braking. However given that the engine is from Audi and the suspension was jointly made by Spyker Cars and Lotus, it shows that the Dutch can't make a good sports car on their own, or that they simply don't want to.