Currently reading: Spyker returns with C8 supercar – and plans to finally finish SUV

C8 Preliator XXV has 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that kicks out 800bhp, plus Coventry-built chassis

Dutch sports car maker Spyker is back after years in the woods, having revived its C8 supercar – and it plans to finish the development of its SUV, two decades after first showing a concept.

Following bankruptcy and a long-running legal dispute, company co-founder Victor Muller reacquired the rights to the historic brand name in October 2025.

This June, a large stake in Spyker was sold to Ukrainian-born cryptocurrency magnate Volodymyr Nosov, prompting the comeback.

The first car of the firm’s new era is the C8 Preliator XXV Coupé, a development of the C8 Preliator that was shown at the 2016 Geneva motor show.

It references Spyker’s heritage as an aircraft manufacturer in the early 20th century, with propeller-style wheels and rear lights shaped to resemble jet fighters’ afterburners.

The XXV is based on an aluminium spaceframe chassis assembled by a contractor in Coventry and powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8. This puts out 800bhp and 737lb ft of torque, pushed to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

The car is capable of more than 217mph but, Spyker said, is intended to maximise engagement rather than pure pace.

Its interior largely forgoes screens: the only digital surface is a head-up display. The switchgear and gauges are “deliberately analogue”.

There's also a ‘butterfly mode’ that opens every panel for display at the push of a button, including the engine bay.

A total of 25 examples of the XXV are planned to be built. Prices have yet to be disclosed, but Spyker is targeting multi-millionaires and billionaires in its new phase.

To that end, it has made its debut at The Quail gathering, an exclusive event hosted as part of Monterey Car Week in the US.

Spyker D12 Peking-to-Paris

In addition to the new supercar, Spyker said it's considering a return to endurance racing in the GT3 class and “is expected” to finish development of the D8 Peking-to-Paris SUV.

This was first shown in D12 concept form (pictured above) at the 2006 Geneva motor show, but a production version has never materialised.

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Charlie Martin

Charlie Martin Autocar
Title: Senior Staff Writer

Charlie plays a leading role in Autocar's coverage of new car launches and industry events. He’s also a regular contributor to its reviews and social media channels, creating content for Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook and Twitter.

Charlie joined Autocar in July 2022 after a nine-month stint as an apprentice with sister publication What Car?, during which he acquired his gold-standard NCTJ diploma with the Press Association.

He is the proud owner of a Mk4 Mazda MX-5 but still feels pangs of guilt over selling his first car, a Fiat Panda 100HP.