Click above for a high-res gallery of the Spyker C8 Aileron.
Lotus and Spyker have worked together on a variety of projects over the past four years, but today, they've announced a new partnership that will further solidify both automaker's technical and design prowess. As its name would imply, the "Parts and Platform Commonality Agreement" involves Lotus supplying both elements to Spyker, helping to build the Dutch supercar producer's new C8 Aileron and possible the D12 Peking-to-Paris SSUV. According to AutoCar, that could mean that future Spyker's could be based of the Lotus Esprit and that Lotus will increase its stake in the development of Spyker's cars.
Hit the jump for the Lotus/Spyker press release.
PRESS RELEASE
Spyker Cars N.V. and Lotus Cars Ltd., of Hethel, England, announce the signing of a cooperation agreement.
Spyker and Lotus have reached agreement today on the outline of their intended cooperation, which will include a Parts and Platform Commonality Agreement (PPCA), a Parts and Accessories Supply Agreement pursuant to which Lotus would provide certain parts for Spyker's new C8 Aileron super sportscar, and a concept Design and Engineering Agreement relating to all of Spyker's future models.
The parties' objective is to reduce costs of parts and components by sharing technology.
Victor R. Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars comments: "Our company has had a very fruitful cooperation with Lotus, developed over the past four years, relating to engineering services in respect of certain components of our cars, as well as in respect of worldwide certification. Spyker and Lotus have now come to the conclusion that they need to intensify their cooperation to the point that we intend to share parts and platforms, as well as an agreement on the supply of parts. Moreover, Lotus Engineering has become Spyker's preferred subcontractor in respect of a number of engineering projects relating to the Spyker C8 Aileron and the Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris.
Michael Kimberley, CEO of Lotus Cars, added: "Lotus is very pleased to be identified as Spyker's preferred Engineering supplier for these unique "high Brand Image" ground breaking cars. We look forward to working with Spyker to expand our global business opportunities, projects and interests for our mutually synergistic Products and Technologies. Lotus Engineering has a great heritage and solid track record in developing innovative solutions for clients and we look forward to using Lotus' advanced light weight vehicle know-how and vehicle dynamics technology to enable Spyker to establish itself as a dynamic premium automotive player."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
bakka @ May 13th 2008 2:01PM
Nice interior.
inteller @ May 13th 2008 2:01PM
oh wow....those scoops are really not a joke. And I thought the 2009 Focus looked bad.
Bob @ May 13th 2008 2:02PM
Those air ducts look like rocket launchers. Is this Bonds next lotus...
Tai @ May 13th 2008 2:34PM
Exactly what I was thinking. This thing looks like a killing machine.
SayWhat? @ May 13th 2008 2:46PM
I thought the same thing folks! If I were to see one of those things come up from behind me on the highway, I'd definitely move over into the next lane for fear of being blown up or something!
dwsage @ May 13th 2008 2:13PM
it needs more vents!! more vents!!!
John @ May 13th 2008 2:14PM
Looking at all those scoops reminds me of the girl at the bar wearing too much makeup. Stop trying so hard!
Soccer Mom @ May 13th 2008 2:18PM
I never understood the idea behind Spyker - its looks like a Maserati equipped with a do-it-yourself kit.
gino @ May 13th 2008 2:49PM
How unfortunate.
Alex @ May 13th 2008 3:06PM
I want a Spyker in the worst way. If only to sit in it. They have the most well thought-out interiors of any car i have ever seen. Every single detail has had countless hours poured over it to make sure its proportions, placement, matierial, craftsmaship, and beauty were flawless. Then they took the doodles form my fifth grade notebooks and used them as the basis of the exterior.
Seriously, i hope part of this partnership will include some of the Lotus exterior designers moving over to Spyker to give them some tips.
Syslik @ May 13th 2008 3:20PM
Although I do have to say that it looks pretty cool, and a lovely, traditional spyker interior. I especially love how you can see how you are swithching the gears. Niice
ToMiTa @ May 13th 2008 3:24PM
A little too much nose overhang. Wheels should be pushed to the corners.
steve-o @ May 13th 2008 3:27PM
word is this is being labeled the next BAskin Robbins car,
for the sheer amount of scoops.
Rick @ May 13th 2008 3:35PM
How many torpedo bays does it have?
henrykrinkle @ May 13th 2008 3:42PM
Cool speaker enclosures. They'd sound better on the inside, though.
Fooman @ May 13th 2008 4:29PM
You have to see a spyker in person. If you see one in person they are amazing. They look so good in person that they do not look like they tried to hard. I do not care if it went 0-60 in 12 seconds, the interior and overall proportions are simply pure sex.
As for the lotus connection, perhaps this allow spykers to handle well... As well as lower costs, Spyker making a car based on the elise... yummy.
Russell @ May 13th 2008 4:41PM
What would the love-child of the Spyker & Saleen look like?
Mi key @ May 13th 2008 6:23PM
Spykers are some sweet rides mixs that with Lotus Performance/Mechanicals and these could be the best vehicles on the planet.
blacktip007 @ May 13th 2008 7:23PM
More cowbell
Rocky @ May 13th 2008 8:19PM
That's a car?? Is it supposed to go backwards with all of those retro-rockets on it? Or are those rocket launcher tubes to blow slower drivers out of your path?
Oh! They're WARP NACELLES! They generate a warp field around the car so it can travel faster than light!