BRIEF HISTORY
Since October 2000 when the Spyker C8 Spyder was unveiled at the Birmingham Motor Show, Spyker has established a strong foothold in the super car market niche. Hand build in the best tradition of the old Spykers by the most dedicated craftsmen of our time using the very best materials available. Created with passion for the most passionate of drivers.
For owners who are desirous for a car built specifically for them, a car combining classic beauty with state of the art technology. For owners who appreciate spectacular performance, put to the test in the international race arena. And for owners who value exclusivity over today’s world of mass production.
The Spyker C8 Spyder won instant acclaim and was awarded the 2000 Institute of Vehicle Engineers Design Award on 18 October 2000.
The Spyker C8 Laviolette, a coupe reminiscent of modern jet fighters was shown at the Amsterdam Motor Show in February 2001. And subsequently the Spyker Double12 R, Spyker’s Le Mans endurance racer, was the IAA in Frankfurt in September 2001.
The street version of the Spyker C8 Double12, the so called “S”, was unveiled at the Birmingham Motor Show in October 2002. In the meantime countless other Concours d’Elegance and events were attended in Europe and the USA.
Production commenced in March 2002 and the first cars were delivered to customers at the end of that year.
In the 2003 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Spyker won its greatest victory so far: finishing 10th in class and 30th overall with the totally in-house prepared Spyker C8 Double12 R chassis number 009. Victor Muller, Spyker CEO; “It was a truly a dream come true when we finished on June 15th last at 4 p.m. We feel that we have succeeded in demonstrating that our basically standard road cars are capable of competing at the highest levels in the international race arena. By doing so we enhance our brand recognition worldwide and have caught the attention and won the hearts of many passionate car enthusiasts around the globe”.
PRODUCTION
In 2002 22 new Spyker cars will be delivered to their owners. The customers of a new Spyker can follow the assembly of their car by the “Spy Cam”, a dedicated web cam system developed in conjunction with Tresparc (www.tresparc.nl). Moreover digital personal car file is available to owners and dealers of every car produced. It entails the build sheet and any work and service carried out during the life span of the car in question. In view of demand Spyker is currently investing heavily in expanding its production capacity to 50 cars in 2004 and 100 cars in 2005.
TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS
Spyker had and will be able to move ahead so expeditiously only because it has sought cooperation with the best possible partners right from the start. Coventry Prototype Panels (www.coventryprototypepanels.co.uk) and Polynorm (www.polynorm.com) were instrumental and chassis development. Further technology partnerships were entered into with Koni (www.koni.com), Philips Automotive Lighting (www.philips.com), Eibach Springs (www.eibach.com), Shell (www.shell.com) and Cosworth Technology. All these partners are heavily involved in the technical development of our product.
SPYKER C8 SPYDER T
At the Amsterdam Motor Show in February 2003 Spyker announced that it would unveil a twin turbo variant of its C8 Spyder at the IAA. In cooperation with Cosworth Technology of North Hampton (www.cosworth-technology.co.uk), a wholly owned Audi subsidiary, the Audi V8 twin turbo engine is prepared for use in a Spyker C8 Spyder. In order to cope with the increased engine output (525 instead of 400 BHP) the Spyker C8 Spyder T has a wider track, extended wheel arches incorporated into the body and a small rear spoiler. Moreover, the car has additional front wing louvres, sill louvres and Koni’s newest four way F1 show absorbers. It is anticipated that the Spyder T will go into production into the second half of 2004 with the intention of building 25 prior to the 2005 race season and to homologate it for events both under ACO (Le Mans and American Le Mans series rules) as well as under FIA GT rules. The launch of the Spyker C8 Spyker TR is expected in the 3rd quarter of 2004 and will be campaigned alongside the continuing Double12 program.
The specifications of the Spyker C8 Spyder T are attached to this press release.
CHRONOSWISS
One partner has not only been involved in the technology development but mainly in esthetics. At the Geneva International Motor show last March, Spyker and Chronoswiss (www.chronoswiss.com) proudly announced their partnershipThe Chronoswiss company was founded in 1983 by master watchmaker Gerd-R Lang.
Since 1987 the watch company has exclusively manufactured its own models with the annual output ranging between 6.000 to 8.000 timepieces. The demand is so great that the 30 members staff of this medium sized company are hardly able to keep up. The name Chronoswiss is now mentioned together with the greatest and oldest Swiss producers of exclusive wristwatches.
20 Years Chronoswiss
10 Years Election for the “Watch of the Year“
1st Place Chronoswiss Chronoscope
The “anniversary watch” on the occasion of the 20-year existence of Chronoswiss was the most interesting novelty piece released during the last season for the majority of the readers of the watch trade journal “Armbanduhren” (Wristwatches) and those of the “WELT am SONNTAG” (The World on Sunday). During this 10th election year, 17,869 readers of Armbanduhren and WELT am SONNTAG elected the Chronoscope as the “Watch of the Year” with 1573 votes, chosen among 104 models of the world’s best producers. Gerd-R. Lang could not make himself a nicer birthday present for his 60th birthday. By the way, Chronoswiss also won the watch of the year 2003 in the Netherlands. Not a bad result for just starting the distribution.
A previously unknown watch brand has succeeded in gaining a leading position at the top end of the market. A clear identity and product philosophy are associated with the name Chronoswiss. The mutual passion for outstanding technological products at the highest level of perfection and quality makes this corporation between Spyker and Chronoswiss a logical match.
Today both Chronoswiss and Spyker are very proud to unveil the first product of their cooperation. Chronoswiss has specially designed a dashboard for all Spyker models available to Spyker’s esteemed customers as an option. In our view with one of finest designs the car industry has seen in recent years (picture attached). The typical Chronoswiss designfeatures and values as well as Spyker’s aviation heritage have contributed to this outstanding design.
Moreover, Chronoswiss is in a process of developing a Chronoswiss Spyker Fliegeruhr (pilot watch) paying tribute to Spyker’s aviation heritage. It will be available for owners (with their own chassis number engraved) as well to enthusiasts.
Co-branding and cross marketing with triple A brands is one of Spyker’s goals to enhance its brand value. It is expected that similar agreements will be entered into in the course of the coming year with up-market brands with are related to the automotive industry.
EXPANSION OF DISTRIBUTION
In terms of distribution Spyker progresses internationally.
Effective September 1, 2003 Future Motors of Dubai, United Arab Emirates (www.futuremotors.com) have been appointed dealers for the Gulf region. From their fabulous location in Dubai city Spyker will be prominently represented in this territory so densely populated by supercars. Under the name of “Spyker Cars of the Gulf” Omar Bin Dhaher will manage Spyker’s operation in the territory.
Omar Bin Dhaher: “We are very proud to represent this prestigious mark in our territory from our Dubai showroom. We will present these high quality hand built supercars to a very educated audience. Our customers are used to us presenting them only the best products on the globe and we render the highest possible level of service to each and every one of them. We are very proud to announce that Spyker will be present at the 7th Middle East international Motor Show to be held on December 11th through 15th 2003 in the Dubai International Exhibition center. Spyker will be at stand 4 D in Hall 4”.
SPYKER IS AT THE INTERNATIONALE AUTOMOBIL AUSSTELLUNG IN FRANKFURT, STAND NUMBER A25, HALL 4.0
Download Technical Specifactions: Spyker C8 Spyder T
For further information please contact:
Mrs Miriam Diekman
Spyker Automobielen BV
Edisonweg 2
3899 AZ Zeewolde
The Netherlands.
Telephone : 00-31-365358787
Fax : 00-31-365358780
E-mail :
Website : spykercars.com