Spyker C8 Aileron road test

What is it?It’s effectively a brand new car from Dutch brand Spyker, only 20 per cent of the previous C8 (evo video here) surviving.  Technical highlights?The big change is an all-new but still aluminium chassis boasting a much wider front track and an extra 150mm in the wheelbase compared with previous C8 models. As before it’s powered by a 400bhp Audi V8, but this time it’s mated to a ZF six-speed auto.

What’s it like to drive?The chassis feels stiff, but absorbs bumps beautifully, inspiring confidence and encouraging you to push it further. This is the result of handing the job of setting up the chassis to Lotus. If you peer underneath the Aileron you’ll find it’s equipped with the same forged aluminium wishbones and coil-over dampers as fitted to the Evora.  How does it compare?After the stiff, uncomfortable C8 Laviolette (evo test here) it’s a revelation. The chassis is two and a half times more rigid than before and the steering has more feel. The brakes are not perfect, but this is a prototype and they are still being worked on.   Anything else I need to know?Inside, it gets a new dash which retains all the beautiful detailing Spykers have become famous for but now includes an LCD screen. With a starting price of £191,000 the Aileron can hardly be considered a bargain, but for a bespoke, handmade, all-aluminium supercar, built by a dedicated team of engineers in Coventry, the price doesn’t seem too bad.   For a more in-depth look into the Spyker C8 Aileron, grab a copy of evo 141, on sale now.

Specifications