Spyker ’s C8 Aileron made its debut earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show, but the automaker waited until August to introduce a roofless Spyder variant at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Monterey, California.
The vehicle shown at Pebble Beach was Spyker’s first C8 Aileron Spyder concept car; the first production car is set to be hand assembled beginning in early 2010.
A semi-automatic canvas top, which saves weight and preserves the classic and elegant look Spyker tries to achieve, marks the biggest difference compared to the hardtop variant. Available in eight colors, it also features a glass rear window. Once folded, the top slides beneath an aluminum tonneau with two leather-upholstered buttresses surrounded by a panel that bears the company’s motto: “Nulla Tenaci Invia Est Via” (For the tenacious, no road is impassible).
A small CNC-machined aluminum luggage rack rests directly behind the rollover hoops. A leather-covered, aluminum suitcase attaches directly to the rack for small storage capacity.
Like the hardtop, the Spyder is powered by a 400-horsepower Audi -sourced 4.2-liter V8 that puts out 354 lb-ft. of torque. A six-speed manual transmission delivers power to the rear wheels, although the Spyder marks the first time that Spyker will offer an automatic transmission for the C8 Aileron. The six-speed automatic comes from ZF and features paddle shifters mounted to the steering wheel.
The C8 Aileron Spyder features a longer wheelbase than the outgoing C8 Spyder, which improves interior room and, Spyker says, provides more stability at high speeds.
Spyker did not release pricing for the C8 Aileron Spyder.
