March 17, 2009Bump, Set, SPYKE.

2006 Spyker C8 Spyder (via www.motorcities.com)

The Spyker.  Let’s just take a moment to ogle.  Oooooh.  Aaaaah.  The progeny of gracefulness and athleticism, the Spyker (pictured above is the 2006 Spyker C8 Spyder) is German in body and Dutch in spirit.  What does that mean?  Dutch design, Audi engine.  This proves to be a winning combination as the Spyker’s unusual lines and crevices make it distinct from any other auto on the road.  

The Spyder is the most—what I would call—“down-to-earth” of the Spyker models.  Still bearing traits characteristic of Spyker genes, the Spyder is a nice amalgam of conventional and unusual.  It is no slouch on the road either. The latest Spyder (the Spyder SWB) can reach a top speed of 187 mph and boast 400 horsepower.  

If you fancy something more exotic, the other Spyker models should satisfy your desires.  The rear of the Laviolette bears some resemblance to a 1950s Cadillac, Studebaker or the like, but the gull-wing doors, hard brushed steel accents, and transparent roof option make it very uber futuristic.  Meanwhile, with its reptile-like fins and body, the Zagato looks like something plucked from the set of Transformers.  A powerful monster of a vehicle, the 2008 C12 Zagato can reach 60mph in 3.8 seconds.  And then there is the Aileron, which looks, all at once, part Aston DB9, part muscle-y Corvette, part ocean-ready vessel.  

With so many cars that look the same and so many others that are just a little dull,  it is nice to seem some fresh auto design, even if the designs are a little outlandish. 

The Spyker Zagato (via www.leftlanenews.com)

Spyker Aileron (via www.autoblog.com)

Spyker Laviolette / Spyder Interior (via www.caranddriver.com)