Spyker Cars
Encyclopedia
Spyker Cars is a Dutch
sports car
marque. The modern Spyker Cars only has the legal right to the brand
name. The company's motto is "Nulla tenaci invia est via", which is Latin
for "For the tenacious, no road is impassable". The marque's logo displays the piston engine of an airplane, a reference to the historic Spyker company which manufactured aircraft. To save Spyker from bankruptcy, Swedish Automobile sold Spyker to American
private equity
and hedge fund
North Street Capital, LP for €32 million.
and Maarten de Bruijn
in 1999, and since 2000 Spyker has been building exclusive sports cars like the C8 Spyder
and the C8 Laviolette (with its elegant glass roof). Spyker's history of producing aero engines is reflected in details in these new cars as well as in the logo.
The C8 Laviolette and C8 Spyder have a 4172 cc Audi V8
engine delivering 400 bhp, acceleration 0–60 mph in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 300 kilometre per hour. On July 14, 2005, it was announced that the C8 was approved for sale on the United States
market.
From 2002 until 2006 Spyker built the C8 Double 12 S, they were available from factory with 5 different levels of performance called "Stage I (400 h.p.), until "Stage V (620 h.p.)", depending the customers need for performance.
From 2003 until 2007 Spyker built the C8 Spyder T, with the Twin turbo developed in conjunction with Cosworth from England. These engines were capable of 525 h.p. and acceleration times of 4.0 seconds.
In 2005 the head designer
and founder, Maarten de Bruijn, left the company.
In 2006 Spyker built the C12 La Turbie with an V12 engine capable of 500 horsepower and acceleration 0–60 mph in less than 4 seconds.
In September 2006, Spyker bought out the Midland F1 team. The team competed in the final 3 races of the 2006 season
as Spyker MF1. In the 2007
, the team competed as Spyker F1
using engines supplied by Ferrari
. Driver Adrian Sutil
was paired with Christijan Albers
until the European Grand Prix
where the latter was replaced by reserve driver Markus Winkelhock
, the team then signed Sakon Yamamoto
to fill in the slot for the rest of the year. The team itself had minimal success, suffering from multiple retirements (including double retirements in Malaysia
, Canada
and Brazil
) before Sutil scored the teams first and only point in Japan
. At the end of the season, the team was sold to a consortium named "Orange India" led by Vijay Mallya
and was subsequently renamed as Force India
.
In 2007 Spyker, in collaboration with Italian car-design firm Zagato, produced the C12 Zagato, based in the La Turbie, but with more appealing body work, and the Zagato trademark roof bubbles. This is perhaps the more exclusive Spyker car to date.
On May 27, 2004 Spyker Cars listed on the Euronext Amsterdam
Stock Exchange at €15.50, falling to a low of €8.28 in April 2005. The stock rebounded sharply in early 2006 to over €22 per share. Early in 2007 the stock showed a sharp decline to levels beneath €13 because of financing issues. As a result, several stock issues were announced to big investors. Notably, all shares have been sold at higher prices than the market price at the moment of announcement. On November 13, 2005, Spyker Cars and Mubadala Development Company, a principal investment company wholly owned by the government of the United Arab Emirates, announced their strategic alliance with Mubadala, acquiring 17% of Spyker. Mubadala has a strong relationship with sports cars, also controlling 5% of Ferrari
.
In November 2009 Spyker announced that it would be moving production from Zeewolde to Whitley, Coventry
, where assembly would be done in partnership with CPP Manufacturing. UK production began in February 2010.
and hedge fund
North Street Capital, LP, for €32 million. Founded by Alex Mascioli in Greenwich, Connecticut
.
In 2009 the Spyker C8 Aileron
debuted at auto shows with the same power output as the C8 Spyder and C8 Laviolette, but with more modern technology, and manufactured in a more modern way.
high-performance SUV, was announced at the Geneva Motor Show.
But the mass-production was delayed and the V12 engine from the concept car has been changed to a supercharged Cadillac V8 at around 550 BHP and its name was therefore changed to the D8.
Spyker hope that the assistance of Saab
, which they now own, will help the D8 reach production.
have hinted at a Maserati Quattroporte
, Porsche Panamera
rival with a eight-cylinder (the E8) or a twelve-cylinder (the E12) engine but due to problems getting the D8 into production, the idea was ignored until recently when Muller has said he "believes now could be the time to resurrect the saloon."
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
sports car
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
marque. The modern Spyker Cars only has the legal right to the brand
Brand
The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "Name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."...
name. The company's motto is "Nulla tenaci invia est via", which is Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
for "For the tenacious, no road is impassable". The marque's logo displays the piston engine of an airplane, a reference to the historic Spyker company which manufactured aircraft. To save Spyker from bankruptcy, Swedish Automobile sold Spyker to American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
private equity
Private equity
Private equity, in finance, is an asset class consisting of equity securities in operating companies that are not publicly traded on a stock exchange....
and hedge fund
Hedge fund
A hedge fund is a private pool of capital actively managed by an investment adviser. Hedge funds are only open for investment to a limited number of accredited or qualified investors who meet criteria set by regulators. These investors can be institutions, such as pension funds, university...
North Street Capital, LP for €32 million.
History
The reborn company was founded by Victor MullerVictor Muller
Victor Roberto Muller is a Dutch businessman. He is the founder and CEO of Dutch car company Spyker Cars NV, and current chairman and CEO of the Swedish car company Saab Automobile AB.-Education and early career:...
and Maarten de Bruijn
Maarten de Bruijn
Maarten de Bruijn is a Dutch engineer.Born in Naarden, he graduated in 1996 at University of Amsterdam with Master Degree in City Planning. 1990-1996 he single-handed designed, constructed and made functional prototype Spyker Silvestris V8. 1999 he co-founded with Victor Muller company Spyker...
in 1999, and since 2000 Spyker has been building exclusive sports cars like the C8 Spyder
Spyker C8
-Models:There are several variants of the C8:* C8 Spyder SWB * C8 Spyder T* C8 Laviolette* C8 Laviolette LM85* C8 Double 12S* C8 Double 12R* C8 Spyder GT2-R* C8 Laviolette GT2-R* C8 Aileron* C8 Aileron Spyder* C12 LaTurbie...
and the C8 Laviolette (with its elegant glass roof). Spyker's history of producing aero engines is reflected in details in these new cars as well as in the logo.
The C8 Laviolette and C8 Spyder have a 4172 cc Audi V8
Audi V8
The Audi V8 is a large luxury four-door, five-seat saloon , built by Audi AG at its Neckarsulm plant in Germany from October 1988 to November 1993, as the company's range-topping flagship model...
engine delivering 400 bhp, acceleration 0–60 mph in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 300 kilometre per hour. On July 14, 2005, it was announced that the C8 was approved for sale on the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
market.
From 2003 until 2007 Spyker built the C8 Spyder T, with the Twin turbo developed in conjunction with Cosworth from England. These engines were capable of 525 h.p. and acceleration times of 4.0 seconds.
In 2005 the head designer
Automotive design
Automotive design is the profession involved in the development of the appearance, and to some extent the ergonomics, of motor vehicles or more specifically road vehicles. This most commonly refers to automobiles but also refers to motorcycles, trucks, buses, coaches, and vans...
and founder, Maarten de Bruijn, left the company.
In 2006 Spyker built the C12 La Turbie with an V12 engine capable of 500 horsepower and acceleration 0–60 mph in less than 4 seconds.
In September 2006, Spyker bought out the Midland F1 team. The team competed in the final 3 races of the 2006 season
2006 Formula One season
The 2006 Formula One season was the 57th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship which began on March 12 and ended on October 22 after eighteen races. The Drivers' Championship was won by Fernando Alonso of Renault F1 for the second year in a...
as Spyker MF1. In the 2007
2007 Formula One season
The 2007 Formula One season was the 58th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship, which began on 18 March and ended on 21 October after seventeen events. The Drivers' Championship was won by Ferrari driver Kimi Räikkönen by one point at the...
, the team competed as Spyker F1
Spyker F1
Spyker F1 Team was a Formula One team that competed in the 2007 Formula One World Championship, and was created by Spyker Cars after their buyout of the short-lived Midland F1 team...
using engines supplied by Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...
. Driver Adrian Sutil
Adrian Sutil
-Biography:Sutil is the son of professional musicians Monika, a German, and Jorge, a Uruguayan. He has two brothers named Daniel and Raphael. He weighs 165 pounds and is 6 feet tall. A talented pianist, Sutil started karting at 14 before moving up to Swiss Formula Ford 1800 in 2002...
was paired with Christijan Albers
Christijan Albers
Christijan Albers is a Dutch racing driver. After success in the DTM he drove in Formula One from until the 2007 British Grand Prix, shortly after which he was dropped by his Spyker F1 team...
until the European Grand Prix
2007 European Grand Prix
The 2007 European Grand Prix was the tenth race of the 2007 Formula One season. It was held from 20 to July 22 at the Nürburgring....
where the latter was replaced by reserve driver Markus Winkelhock
Markus Winkelhock
Markus Winkelhock is a German racing driver, who has taken part in one Formula One Grand Prix, which he briefly led...
, the team then signed Sakon Yamamoto
Sakon Yamamoto
is a Japanese racing driver. He competed in 21 Formula One Grands Prix during the and 2007 and 2010 seasons.- Before Formula One:Yamamoto began his racing career in 1994 at the Suzuka Circuit Racing School , and worked his way up through the ranks, to become the test/third driver for the Jordan...
to fill in the slot for the rest of the year. The team itself had minimal success, suffering from multiple retirements (including double retirements in Malaysia
2007 Malaysian Grand Prix
The IX Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race, held on 8 April 2007 at the Sepang International Circuit and the second race of the 2007 Formula One season. Reigning world champion Fernando Alonso won the race from second on the grid, with McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton...
, Canada
2007 Canadian Grand Prix
The 2007 Canadian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 10 June 2007, at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada. It was the sixth race of the 2007 Formula One season...
and Brazil
2007 Brazilian Grand Prix
The 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix was the seventeenth and last race of the 2007 Formula One season. It was held from 19 to October 21 at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo. The Championship was decided in the race, which was won by Kimi Räikkönen...
) before Sutil scored the teams first and only point in Japan
2007 Japanese Grand Prix
The 2007 Japanese Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 30 September, 2007 at the Fuji Speedway, Oyama, Shizuoka. The race, contested over 67 laps, was the fifteenth round of the 2007 Formula One season. It was held at the recently revised track in very heavy rain and misty conditions...
. At the end of the season, the team was sold to a consortium named "Orange India" led by Vijay Mallya
Vijay Mallya
Vijay Mallya is an Indian liquor and airline baron. The son of industrialist Vittal Mallya, he is the chairman of the United Breweries Group and Kingfisher Airlines. His United Spirits is world's second largest liquor maker, by volume...
and was subsequently renamed as Force India
Force India
Sahara Force India Formula One Team, the trading name of Force India Formula One Team Limited, is a Formula One racing team based in Silverstone, United Kingdom which currently holds an Indian licence. The team was formed in October 2007 when a consortium led by Indian businessman Vijay Mallya and...
.
In 2007 Spyker, in collaboration with Italian car-design firm Zagato, produced the C12 Zagato, based in the La Turbie, but with more appealing body work, and the Zagato trademark roof bubbles. This is perhaps the more exclusive Spyker car to date.
On May 27, 2004 Spyker Cars listed on the Euronext Amsterdam
Euronext
Euronext N.V. is a pan-European stock exchange based in Amsterdam and with subsidiaries in Belgium, France, Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom. In addition to equities and derivatives markets, the Euronext group provides clearing and information services...
Stock Exchange at €15.50, falling to a low of €8.28 in April 2005. The stock rebounded sharply in early 2006 to over €22 per share. Early in 2007 the stock showed a sharp decline to levels beneath €13 because of financing issues. As a result, several stock issues were announced to big investors. Notably, all shares have been sold at higher prices than the market price at the moment of announcement. On November 13, 2005, Spyker Cars and Mubadala Development Company, a principal investment company wholly owned by the government of the United Arab Emirates, announced their strategic alliance with Mubadala, acquiring 17% of Spyker. Mubadala has a strong relationship with sports cars, also controlling 5% of Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...
.
In November 2009 Spyker announced that it would be moving production from Zeewolde to Whitley, Coventry
Whitley, Coventry
Whitley is a suburb of southern Coventry in the West Midlands of England.-Industry and commerce:Whitley is the home of the Whitley plant, which is the Engineering Centre and Headquarters of Jaguar Cars Limited...
, where assembly would be done in partnership with CPP Manufacturing. UK production began in February 2010.
North Street Capital, LP
In September 2011 it was announced that Swedish Automobile would sell Spyker Cars, in a all cash offer to an American private equityPrivate equity
Private equity, in finance, is an asset class consisting of equity securities in operating companies that are not publicly traded on a stock exchange....
and hedge fund
Hedge fund
A hedge fund is a private pool of capital actively managed by an investment adviser. Hedge funds are only open for investment to a limited number of accredited or qualified investors who meet criteria set by regulators. These investors can be institutions, such as pension funds, university...
North Street Capital, LP, for €32 million. Founded by Alex Mascioli in Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
.
Models
In 2009 - 2010 Spyker sold the C8 Laviolette LM85, which is a special edition car with orange paint, black wheels, and many "ready-for-track" enhancements. The interior is black with orange piping, and the customers of this car were permitted to stay with the Spyker crew in any of the 2009 LeMans races.In 2009 the Spyker C8 Aileron
Spyker C8
-Models:There are several variants of the C8:* C8 Spyder SWB * C8 Spyder T* C8 Laviolette* C8 Laviolette LM85* C8 Double 12S* C8 Double 12R* C8 Spyder GT2-R* C8 Laviolette GT2-R* C8 Aileron* C8 Aileron Spyder* C12 LaTurbie...
debuted at auto shows with the same power output as the C8 Spyder and C8 Laviolette, but with more modern technology, and manufactured in a more modern way.
Current models
Spyker currently has two production ready cars they are (as of 2012 model year):- Spyker C8 AileronSpyker C8-Models:There are several variants of the C8:* C8 Spyder SWB * C8 Spyder T* C8 Laviolette* C8 Laviolette LM85* C8 Double 12S* C8 Double 12R* C8 Spyder GT2-R* C8 Laviolette GT2-R* C8 Aileron* C8 Aileron Spyder* C12 LaTurbie...
2009 - present - Spyker C8 Aileron SpyderSpyker C8-Models:There are several variants of the C8:* C8 Spyder SWB * C8 Spyder T* C8 Laviolette* C8 Laviolette LM85* C8 Double 12S* C8 Double 12R* C8 Spyder GT2-R* C8 Laviolette GT2-R* C8 Aileron* C8 Aileron Spyder* C12 LaTurbie...
2010 - present
Spyker C8
Spyker's C8 is their only real production car, and comes in many variants (past, current and concept models shown):- C8 Spyder SWB (Wide Body)
- C8 Spyder T
- C8 Laviolette
- C8 Laviolette LM85
- C8 Double 12S
- C8 Double 12R
- C8 Spyder GT2-R
- C8 Laviolette GT2-R
- C8 Aileron
- C8 Aileron Spyder
Spyker D12/D8
In 2006 the Spyker D12 Peking-to-ParisSpyker D12
The Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris is a luxurious 4-door high performance crossover SUV from the Dutch car manufacturer Spyker Cars, a subsidiary of Swedish Automobile. The car was designed by Michiel van den Brink and introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. The car is currently still under...
high-performance SUV, was announced at the Geneva Motor Show.
Spyker hope that the assistance of Saab
Saab Automobile
Saab Automobile AB, better known as Saab , is a Swedish car manufacturer owned by Dutch automobile manufacturer Swedish Automobile NV, formerly Spyker Cars NV. It is the exclusive automobile Royal Warrant holder as appointed by the King of Sweden...
, which they now own, will help the D8 reach production.
Spyker C12
Spyker's most recent model, the C12 is a luxury sportscar, and has two variants:- Spyker C12 La TurbieSpyker C12 La TurbieThe Spyker C12 La Turbie is a sports car produced by the Dutch automaker Spyker Cars in 2006.There are two variations of the La Turbie. One differs because has a special body designed by Zagato...
2006 - Spyker C12 ZagatoSpyker C12 ZagatoThe Spyker C12 Zagato is the second production car from the Dutch automobile manufacturer Spyker. The C12 Zagato is an all-aluminium, mid-engine/rear-drive exotic luxury sportscar....
2007
Spyker E8/E12
Spyker shareholders and CEO, Victor MullerVictor Muller
Victor Roberto Muller is a Dutch businessman. He is the founder and CEO of Dutch car company Spyker Cars NV, and current chairman and CEO of the Swedish car company Saab Automobile AB.-Education and early career:...
have hinted at a Maserati Quattroporte
Maserati Quattroporte
The Maserati Quattroporte is a luxury four-door saloon made by Maserati in Italy. The name translated from Italian literally means "four doors". There have been five generations of the car, each separated by a period of roughly five years....
, Porsche Panamera
Porsche Panamera
The Porsche Panamera is a four-door a coupe. It is front-engined with rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive versions also available....
rival with a eight-cylinder (the E8) or a twelve-cylinder (the E12) engine but due to problems getting the D8 into production, the idea was ignored until recently when Muller has said he "believes now could be the time to resurrect the saloon."
External links
- Spyker Cars web site
- Spyker Cars UK Spyker News, History and Information
- Spyker Owner and Enthusiast Forum