What's all this about?
Spyker is back, with the latest iteration of its C8 sports car. This one is called the Preliator, which means 'fighter' - to symbolise the company's recent struggles against adversity and its continuing existence. Dutch firm Spyker hand-builds all its vehicles in that romantic Netherlands town of, er... Coventry. Yes, that Coventry. Its exterior is an aviation-inspired evolution of the C8 shape, now into its third generation, while the interior is an exquisite place to be, thanks to exposed linkages, quilted hand-stitched leather and brushed aluminium surrounds.
It's a cracking looking thing. What powers it?
In the Preliator's midriff, you'll find a 4.2-litre V8 from Audi, with a supercharger generously bolted on. With 525hp and 600Nm, performance for this 1,390kg machine is brisk.
How brisk?
Very brisk. The 0-62mph time is quoted as 3.9 seconds, while the top speed is a Ferrari F40-rivalling 201mph. Power goes to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission, although Spyker will also offer an automatic. Neither example is what you'd call affordable, though.
Oh, how much are we talking?
Around £303,000 for the manual and £309,000 for the auto. It should protect its value well, though, as only 50 will be built. The only problem is, production won't start just yet. First, Spyker must complete the final five examples of its predecessor, the C8 Aileron, before it can start work on the Preliator.
Matt Robinson - 2 Mar 2016