History and context

Spyker’s modern era deliberately connects to the original Dutch company famed for engineering audacity in the early years of motoring and aviation. The propeller and wire wheel crest and the Latin axiom are not decoration. They position the Spyker C8 Double 12 S inside a story that runs from early four wheel drive innovation to post war feats and on to modern endurance racing entries. The Brooklands Double 12 speed achievement in nineteen twenty two and later participation at Le Mans form the cultural backdrop for the Spyker C8 Double 12 S as the civilised counterpart to the track focused R models. 

Design and craftsmanship

The exterior communicates precision and purpose. The Spyker C8 Double 12 S uses an aluminium space frame clad with numbered aluminium panels that are handcrafted for each chassis. The surfacing is clean and the details are functional. The front splitter and the integrated rear diffuser are there to support ground effect while the glass canopy look and the signature side intakes give the silhouette a cockpit like character. Scissor doors open to a cabin that mixes quilted leather, turned aluminium switchgear and an exposed open gate shift. The overall impression is of an object that is built rather than simply manufactured. 

Inside, every touch point has been considered. The aircraft style instruments, the beautifully machined gear lever and the leather riveted steering wheel elevate every action. Customers originally specified colours and hides to taste and could opt for the dramatic Aeroblade wheels, further emphasising Spyker’s obsession with crafted metalwork. The result is a Spyker C8 Double 12 S that feels personal before the engine even turns. 

Engineering in detail

Beneath the artistry sits a very serious specification. The Spyker C8 Double 12 S is powered by an Audi based four point two litre V8 rated at four hundred horsepower and four hundred eighty newton metres. It breathes through individual throttle bodies, revs to seven thousand five hundred and delivers its power through a six speed manual to the rear wheels via a Drexler limited slip differential. Braking is by AP Racing with an adjustable balance and large ventilated discs. The fully independent suspension uses in board Koni dampers with components machined from solid aluminium. The underfloor is designed for ground effect which explains the stability at speed. 

Dimensions underline the car’s long legged intent. The wheelbase sits at two thousand six hundred seventy five millimetres with overall length of four thousand five hundred eighty five millimetres, width of one thousand nine hundred twenty millimetres and height of one thousand two hundred fifty five millimetres. Kerb weight for the Spyker C8 Double 12 S is about one thousand three hundred fifty kilograms and the fuel tanks integrated in the side members provide one hundred litres, a useful detail for grand touring. 

Performance is appropriately serious. Acceleration from zero to one hundred kilometres per hour is quoted at four point five seconds and top speed depends on the chosen engine power with a range from three hundred to three hundred forty five kilometres per hour. These figures align the Spyker C8 Double 12 S with the most capable exotics of its time while preserving an analogue interaction that stands out today. 

The driving experience

The Spyker C8 Double 12 S feels intimate and exact. Seating is low and centred. Visibility forward is purposeful through the sculpted bonnet and the steering communicates with clarity. The open gate shift rewards deliberate inputs and the naturally aspirated response of the V8 encourages the driver to use the rev range. Stability from the aerodynamic underfloor and the composure of the in board dampers create confidence on fast roads. Noise levels are engaging rather than isolating. This is a driver’s car that invites focus and rewards precision. 

Ownership and collectability

Production for this specific variant is not officially disclosed which adds to its sense of rarity. More important is the way Spyker involved owners in the making of their cars. Each car’s identity is tied to its chassis number and the buildsheet is updated as work is performed. Owners were even able to follow assembly through a factory camera system. This degree of personalisation enhances provenance and sets the Spyker C8 Double 12 S apart in a market where individuality is often limited to paint and trim. For collectors, originality, documented servicing and correct presentation of the aluminium structure and panel fit are central to long term value.

Why the Spyker C8 Double 12 S matters

The Spyker C8 Double 12 S offers something distinct in a world of familiar badges. It is a cohesive blend of aviation inspired design, race informed engineering and artisan execution. It looks special, it feels special and it links directly to the endurance narrative that defines the marque. For a collector who values craft and story as much as performance, the Spyker C8 Double 12 S is a compelling choice.