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Spyker Cars of Baarn, the Netherlands, is proud to present its complete model range of cars for the first time at the Geneva International Motor Show. Since October 2000 when the C8 Spyder was unveiled at the Birmingham Motor Show, Spyker has established a strong foothold in the supercar niche market. Hand built 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 want a car tailored specially for them, a car combining classic beauty with state-of-the art technology. For owners who appreciate spectacular performance tested in the international race arena. And for owners who value exclusivity over today's world of mass production. The C8 Laviolette, a coupe reminiscent of modern jet fighters, was shown at the Amsterdam Show in February 2001. The C8 Double12 R, Spyker’s endurance racer, was unveiled at the IAA in Frankfurt in September 2001 and Spyker competed at Sebring and Le Mans in 2002. The street version of the C8 Double12, the so called “S”, was unveiled at the Birmingham Motor Show in October 2002. Countless other events and shows were attended in Europe and in the USA. Production of Spyker cars commenced in March 2002 and the first cars were delivered to customers last year. 2002 also saw the advent of the first outside shareholder: Hans Hugenholtz, gentleman driver and four time Le Mans entrant who competed on Spyker in the 2002 24-hours of Le Mans became a shareholder together with the original founders Victor Muller and Maarten de Bruijn. 2003 Developments 2003 started by some important new developments. At the press day of the Amsterdam Motor Show on February 6th, it was announced that investment company Talpa Capital of Hilversum, owned by the Dutch media tycoon John de Mol, has taken a 30 percent interest in Spyker. The broadening of the financial base resulting from this participation is being used to accelerate the expansion of Spyker. The expansion of the 2003 factory race programme is a first step to broaden the exposure of the Spyker brand. This year, Spyker will not only participate at Sebring and Le Mans, as it did in 2002, but it will also participate at Miami and Petit Le Mans as well as in the French GT Championship. Discussions are currently underway with privateers who have expressed an interest in acquiring C8 Double12 Rs for the American Le Mans Series, the 24hrs of Le Mans, the Grand Am Rolex Series, and national GT championships. Victor Muller, Spyker CEO: "By demonstrating that our basically standard road cars are able to compete at the highest levels in the international race arena, we have enhanced our brand recognition worldwide. We have received a very warm welcome on the track." Sebring 2003 Spyker has entered one C8 Double12 R, chassis number 009, in the 12-hours of Sebring to be held on 15 March next. The car is to be driven by Hans Hugenholtz, Norman Simon and Patrick van Schoote. Preparation of all race cars including those for Le Mans is now carried out entirely in-house after Spyker has taken over Cavallino Engineering and its facilities. C8 Spyder TS/TR In preparation for the 2004 season, Spyker has engaged Cosworth Technology of Northampton (www.cosworth-technology.co.uk), UK, a wholly owned Audi subsidiary, to develop the current Audi V8 engine used in both the C8 Spyder and the C8 Laviolette into a bi-turbo race engine. Spyker expects to unveil the Spyker C8 Spyder T using this engine at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Both a TS version (Turbo Street) and a TR version (Turbo Racing) will be launched. These cars will be eligible for all international race events as well as for national GT championships, and will be campaign alongside the continuing Double12 program. Production In 2003, 32 new Spyker cars will be delivered to their owners. The owners of a new Spyker can follow the assembly of their car by the “SpyCam”, a dedicated webcam system developed in conjunction with Tresparc. Moreover a digital personal car file is available to owners and dealers of every car produced. It entails the buildsheet and any work and service carried out during the life span of the car in question. The demand for Spykers is such that Talpa's injection will enable Spyker to invest heavily in expanding its production capacity from 32 cars this year to 65 cars in 2004. Technology partners Spyker has 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 and Polynorm (www.polynorm,.com) were instrumental in the body and chassis development. Further technology partnerships were entered into with Koni (www.koni.com) and Philips Automotive Lighting (www.philips.com). This year Eibach Springs (www.eibach.com) , Shell (www.shell.com) and Cosworth Technology will be added to the list of technology partners. Chronoswiss But also in other fields partnerships were sought and found and we are very proud to announce today the partnership with Chronoswiss Uhren of München (www.chronoswiss.com). The 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 six thousand and eight thousand time pieces. The demand is so great that the 30 member staff of this medium-sized company are hardly able to keep up with demand. The name Chronoswiss is now mentioned together with the greatest and oldest Swiss producers of exclusive wrist watches. A previously unknown watch brand has succeeded in gaining a leading its position on 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 new cooperation between Spyker and Chronoswiss a logical match. The cooperation between Spyker and Chronoswiss will entail among others the introduction of a specially designed Chronoswiss dashboard for all models as an option. It will be one of the finest designs the car industry has seen in recent years and is expected to be unveiled in September 2003 at the IAA Frankfurt. Moreover a limited edition of a Spyker Fliegeruhr (pilotwatch) paying tribute to Spyker’s aviation heritage, will be available for owners (with their own chassis number engraved) as well as a version for Spyker enthusiasts worldwide exclusively made by Chronoswiss. 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 this year with upmarket brands in related automotive industries. Expansion of distribution Also in terms of its distribution Spyker progresses internationally. Hunt & Keal Ltd of London (www.huntandkeal.co.uk) have been appointed dealers for England effective February 1, 2003. From their beautiful mews in Kensington, Spyker will be prominently represented in one of the most densely populated super car territories. With in excess of 20 years experience Hunt & Keal have franchises for Subaru, Morgan and now Spyker. Graeme Hunt:”We are very proud to represent this prestigious marque from the heart of London. Our customers have come to expect us to bring only the best models to them and render high quality service throughout’”. |
