Geneva 2009: Spyker C8 Aileron

Unique? You bet. Dutch niche manufacturer Spyker Cars has unveiled it's next generation model, the signature C8, dubbed the C8 Aileron.

Presaged by last year's C8 Aileron Concept, the 2009 C8 Aileron shows Spyker stepping up it's game significantly. Inside and out, the Aileron is much more refined and shows an increased developmental sophistication that hasn't been seen previously from the company.

If it looks significantly different from the C8 Laviolette, that's because it is. I've always thought that while neat, the C8 Laviolette looked a bit odd and cartoonish.

No more! The C8 Aileron's beautiful design is miles ahead of it's predessor and posseses a sleek and refined style. To me this is truly the epitome of automotive coolness. I love to see the products that small companies create, as they posess a spirit of innovation and uniqueness that is unmatched.

The original Spyker company produced planes during World War II, and as such Spyker's designs have always been inextricably linked to that aviation heritage. (Think "Born From Jets" x100).

That hasn't changed one bit with the C8 Aileron, but there is a big difference in approach.

Unlike the C8 Laviolette, the C8 Aileron draws it's inspiration primarily from turbine powered planes rather then propeller propulsion. You can see evidence of change show up in the longer, sleeker design.

For instance, look at the changed air scoops, which have been converted from bright polished air inlets to a turbine-engine like design. Or, the Aeroblade wheels that have been replaced with Rotorblade ones. Details like this really make a difference, you can tell the different referencing immediately.

Inside there is one important change as well....more room! As this car is from the ground up according to the company, Spyker created brand new all-aluminum space frame that has been stretched to provide for a larger cabin area. This is one of the requests Spyker has gotten from owners of the current vehicle, and the company certainly delivered on it.

Overall, the car is 5.9 inches longer then it's predecessor, weighing in at 3,142 pounds. The C8 Aileron Spyder is currently in final stages of development, with launch scheduled for Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August 2009.

The C8 Aileron sticks to the original Spyker identity through and through, but also shows us a more refined interpretation with how the company is going to proceed with it's future designs.

It also shows a better use of technology, like the new LED headlight units (I love the design) that will also be used on the D8 Peking-to-Paris SUV once it goes into production.

The C8 Aileron and aforementioned D8 are part of an attempt to position better for success in North American markets as well, which figures a large part in Spyker's future.

The first cars are being produced right now, with customer deliveries expected to start in May 2009.

An Aileron is the device used to turn an aircraft, and Spyker hopes the C8 will begin a new direction for the company, a change to profitability. If this is the future of Spyker, I love it and I suspect enough of the buyers Spyker needs for it to succeed will as well.