Spyker has never been interested in building sports cars quite like anyone else. Now, the Dutch marque is beginning another chapter with the C8 Preliator XXV Coupé, a new flagship that combines its familiar aviation-inspired design with 800 hp, a manual gearbox and old-fashioned coachbuilding.
Although the Preliator name is familiar, Spyker describes the XXV as an entirely new car. Its aluminium body sits over a redesigned spaceframe developed in-house, with every exterior panel hand-shaped by Coventry Prototype Panels in England. NACA ducts replace the turbine-style intakes of earlier Spykers, while a prominent rear fin references the 1919 C1 Aerocoque. The XXV name is incorporated into the headlights, while the rear lamps resemble fighter jet afterburners.
The aviation theme continues with an isogrid pattern used across the grilles, vents, pedals, exhaust mesh, and upholstery. Spyker has also resisted the industry-wide move towards carbon fibre, preferring aluminium for the way it can be shaped and finished by hand. Each car takes around 2,100 hours to build.
Performance comes from a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 800 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque, enough for a claimed top speed of more than 217 mph. More unusual is the transmission. Rather than paddles or an automated manual, the XXV uses a traditional manual gearbox, complete with Spyker’s signature exposed gear linkage.
That analogue approach carries through to the cabin. A head-up display is the only screen, surrounded by turned aluminium, leather, and physical controls. Even the steering wheel takes four hours to hand-stitch, while the screw heads are individually aligned.
Just 25 bespoke examples of the C8 Preliator XXV Coupé will be built. The car also marks the beginning of Spyker’s latest revival, with future plans including the D8 Peking-to-Paris SSUV and a possible return to GT3 endurance racing.
