Spyker reveals 500bhp supercar
Audi-powered Spyker to run at Sebring and Le Mans
Dutch supercar maker Spyker showed off a new 6.0 litre car this week, and announced its entry into GT motor-racing at Sebring and Le Mans.
The new car is the C12 LaTurbie in Geneva this week, the first Spyker powered by the 6.0 litre W12 Audi engine. The car has a power output of 500bhp and torque of 442lb-ft, delivering a top speed of 202mph with acceleration of 0-60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. The 1,400Kg car will be fitted with a manual six-speed gearbox, with an F1 style paddle shift under development.
It sits on Spyker’s in-house designed 19-inch Aeroblade wheels as standard. Power to the rear wheels passes through a Drexler limited slip differential, and the car features ABS and a lightweight aluminium space frame with integrated roll cage. Spyker said that, "the double twin exhausts make the overwhelming signature Spyker sound".
This new model brings Spyker’s long wheel base range up to three models: the eight cylinder C8 Double12 S, the C8 Double12 Spyder and the twelve cylinder Spyker C12 LaTurbie.
Spyker CEO Victor Muller said, “The rich racing heritage of Spyker was the inspiration for the Spyker C12 LaTurbie. Its front end treatment is heavily influenced by the impressive radiator of the Spyker C4 of the 1920s (right) with which Spyker achieved so many sporting successes.
In order to house the mighty W12 engine we have widened the Double12 chassis and bodywork by 100 millimeters/4 inches. Based on the interest shown by our customers we have decided to put the car in production and expect worldwide deliveries to commence in the second half of 2006.”
Ex-factory prices, including glass hard top, start at 290,000 Euro, excluding taxes.
Sebring 2005 and Le Mans 2005
Also on show in Geneva is the Spyker C8 Spyder. Spyker’s new race model, the Spyker C8 Spyder GT2R, is based on the production car (right). Spyker Squadron, the factory’s race department, has entered two entirely in-house developed Spyker C8 Spyder GT2Rs for both the 12 Hours of Sebring, Florida, USA (19 March 2005) and for the 24 Heures du Mans (18-19 June 2005).
Muller said, “2005 will again be a challenging year for Spyker Squadron, which intends to make its return to the international endurance racing arena. This is the third time since our incorporation in 2000 that we are participating in the world famous race at Sebring. Both Sebring and Le Mans are particularly demanding. Le Mans, however, is the ultimate endurance test for our cars.
“In 2004 Spyker investigated a number of alternatives for Le Mans 2005. We considered building a Le Mans prototype car for the GTP class or return to GT racing with a penalty free Spyker. We chose the latter option and in the Autumn of 2004 started developing the Spyker C8 Spyder GT2R, a race version of the Spyker C8 Spyder.”
The Spyker C8 Spyder GT2R runs the Audi V8 engine used in all road cars. The race version of this engine has been developed in-house by Spyker Squadron’s technical team, headed by Peter van Erp and is mated to a Hewland six speed sequential gearbox.
Spyker will hold a press conference regarding its participation, drivers and sponsors and present its race cars at a later date in its factory in Zeewolde.
Participation at Sebring is confirmed with starting numbers 47 and 48 allocated. The challenging 12-hour classic is on 19 March 2005. Invitations for Le Mans will be issued by the Le Mans organisation Automobile Club de L’Ouest after Sebring and the test weekend is on 4 and 5 June 2005.
The Spyker C8 Spyder GT2R will become available to privateers after Le Mans 2005. Depending on specifications prices will start from 325.000 euro (excluding any taxes, ex factory). The factory will provide full service to privateers throughout Europe and the United States.
US expansion
Spyker also announced that it will cars in the US, having obtained the highly desired approval for its C8 short wheel base models by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Muller said, “This is truly a dream come true. Our team has worked so hard with Cosworth Technology to obtain this certificate which will allow us to import our cars into the USA, by far our number one market. Also thanks to Audi AG we have managed to achieve this unrivalled result in relatively a short period of time.
"It is hard to express the pride I feel for those who have made this reality. This is a milestone for our company comparable to finishing at Le Mans in 2003 and going public in2004. We are currently awaiting the final approval by NHTSA of two waiver applications, upon receipt of which we will be fully US road legal. NHTSA’s decision is expected shortly.”
New dealers
Spyker also announced new dealers for Switzerland and California, USA and its participation in the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans (subject to invitation by the ACO). Spyker is present at the Geneva Motor Show for the third time since its incorporation in 2000.
Thanks to Naumann Farooq for the heads-up.
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