Wednesday 28th September 2011

Spotted: 2009 Spyker C8 Laviolette

Bugatti exclusivity for Ferrari money... or a diamond-stitched posing pouch?

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Let's face it; if you're going to spend £140,000 on a car that you want to deliver pure driving enjoyment, the C8 Laviolette probably isn't on your radar.

It's not that they don't have a healthy amount of performance; 400bhp to lug around just 1275kg should be enough for most people, and when they were launched those who tested them generally reported a very stiff, neutrally-handling car. But when you gaze at the detailing and that interior, you realise that out-and-out hoonery just isn't what this car is about.

This one (number 186) was spotted at the Bob Forstner showroom in Park Lane, London, where they have some rather delectable stock (Zonda F Roadster 'Final Edition', Koenigesegg CCX-R, Zonda S and so on...). It's a one owner car with just 2,300 miles and a decent specification.

Built before the fitment of the airbag-equipped steering wheel it sports the earlier four-spoke 'propeller' item (who needs airbags when your organs could instead be impaled on something so cool?), as well as the quilted hide and Alcantara interior options.

Fans of Audi's sonorous V8 will be glad to also learn that it boasts the Sports exhaust with 'Whisper Function'. Many prefer the idea of a bi-modal exhaust system which is loud by default and which can be hushed at the press of a button, as opposed to one which is quiet and delivers the decibels only when you give it the berries.

As exquisitely-detailed, hand-built supercars go, £149,000 seems pretty reasonable when you stack one against, say, a Zonda. What do you reckon?

[don logan]

I saw that when driving past and thought it was an Aileron.

[Fetchez la vache]

That's the first C8 I've seen with an interior colour scheme I could actually live with. Rather like that

[R500POP]

Look at the interior, I mean LOOK AT IT, it's fantastic.

[Chicane-UK]

I think there's no doubt that it would always feel like an occasion driving that! I've really come round to liking them.. a lot.. and with the Audi V8 engine it should be pretty reliable!

[jke11y]

Pretty sure it was this car (not the TKO one) I saw one morning on Kings Road a few months back on trade plates.

I was surprised at how small it was in amongst the traffic. No doubting the craftsmanship of the interior.

[only1ian]

What!!! These are common as muck.... used to admire the one in Cheltenham that was in the window of the Spyker showroom across the road from Sainsbury's and bore my missus of the time about it!

[Gruffy]

Best-sounding road car I've ever heard.

[Tyre Smoke]

I love them. They're the modern Bristol, with style.

Sure there are prettier cars, but these really make me wibble!

[theJT]

I get off the bus (yes, I know, but I can't afford to drive in london these days) opposite that place all the time. Personally I like the little orange baby spyker that you can just see next to it. I don't know if it's got a moped engine in it / electric / pedal car or what, but it's such a cute little toy.

[BMWill]

I reckon I'd still take the Spyder

= )

[timewatch]

Any Airbags?

Or would you consider it an honour to be impaled on such a steering wheel?

TW>>>

[uncle tez]

Am i the only person who doesn't like the interior ? I personally think the diamond plate metal makes it look cheap and tacky

[Ricky Cox]

If I were buying a single car for that price I would shop elsewhere, I don’t know enough about the driveability of the thing. However if I were the type of person who can afford a number of cars I would have one like a flash, talk about a thing of beauty and the exclusivity. I don’t think the word depreciation will ever appear in the same sentence as Spyker either!

[doublelink]

Can someone tell me what is the yellow car facing out to Park Lane, Spyker is a bit of nonsense IMHO. Beautiful, but none sense! Thanks in anticipation.

[al1991]

doublelink said:

Can someone tell me what is the yellow car facing out to Park Lane, Spyker is a bit of nonsense IMHO. Beautiful, but none sense! Thanks in anticipation.

Lamborghini Diablo.

[kambites]

doublelink said:

Can someone tell me what is the yellow car facing out to Park Lane, Spyker is a bit of nonsense IMHO. Beautiful, but none sense! Thanks in anticipation.

It's a Diablo isn't it?

[Zod]

Yes. Saw it the other day when I had other business close by. It's taken the place of the CF Koenigsegg.

[soad]

R500POP said:

Look at the interior, I mean LOOK AT IT, it's fantastic.

Does look special.

[P7ULG]

Just popping out to put a lottery ticket on for tonight

[myhandle]

kambites said:

It's a Diablo isn't it?

It looks like the Diablo Jota derivative of the Diablo SE30.