Autoblog

The current standard-wheelbase Spyker C8 Laviolette

Spyker may be down, but it's not out. The Dutch exotic automaker has fallen on some hard times, but that's not going to stop it from moving forward with at least some of its plans. The C12 Zagato has been postponed indefinitely, but at the upcoming Geneva auto show in March, Spyker is expected to unveil an improved version of its existing C8 Laviolette.

As wonderfully quirky as the current C8 is, owners complain of constricted space. In response Spyker has stretched the wheelbase, giving more space in the cabin while improving the vehicles proportions. The C8 Laviolette LWB will feature an elongated version of the current model's glass roofline. A long wheelbase Spyder version is expected to follow sometime thereafter, benefiting from a proper motorized convertible roof instead of the largely useless folding rag on the current short-wheelbase model. It's a small step forward for the ailing company, but a step forward nonetheless.

Follow the jump for a video rendering of the upcoming C8 Spyder LWB doin' the turntable thing.

[Source: Spyker Owner Forum]

UPDATE 1 - Motor Trend's blog confirms the rest of the details that were floating around. 8-inch stretch, privacy seating, etc.

A couple of sites have posted reports that Cadillac will be unveiling a long-wheelbase version of the DTS at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Intrigued, we checked with some of our sources and have it on good authority that the General will indeed have a long-wheelbase DTS in LA. We think we can also quell speculation about the possibility of a V-Series edition of said car, as our understanding is that this stretched DTS is primarily oriented toward the livery market. That means that the recently saved-from-execution Lincoln Town Car is about to have a serious new competitor breathing down its neck in the executive sedan segment. We expect to hear full details on the new Caddy towards the end of the month. Stay tuned.

[Source: Internal]

Rick Kranz of Automotive News recently penned a piece asking just how popular will the upcoming Chrysler 300C LWB (Long Wheelbase) be, and is Chrysler underestimating its appeal to the public. DCX is saying it expects to sell around 70 percent of its LWB models to the livery business, which includes limo and high-end taxi services. But Myles Kovacs, president of Dub magazine, thinks the company is underestimating the car's appeal to the public, which includes the superstar athletes and entertainers that grace his mag's covers.

And it's not just the 300C's image, but also it's practical increase in interior volume, that will endear it to the big and tall among us. Its wheelbase is stretched by a full six inches, and we can tell you after sitting in one at the New York Auto Show that the difference in interior volume is profound.  Back seat passengers sit so far back that an intercom system should be standard equipment so they can communicate with those up front.

And don't forget about all the old money out there that Lincoln has been attracting with its Town Car Executive L. While prices of the 300C LWB have yet to be announced, Chrysler has assured us that it will be substantially under the Town Car's price of around $51,345.

[Source: Automotive News via Winding Road]

Absent the Imperial Concept, nothing says “Upper Middle Class” like the Chrysler 300 LWB and its six-inches of extra length, 10.2-cubic feet of additional interior space and whopping 46-inches of rear legroom. Those extra six inches are extremely transparent from the outside, as evident from the ten minutes we wasted unsuccessfully attempting to pick out the LWB from a group of 300s Chrysler had on display.

As you can see, our dogs quit their barking once we sat down in the LWB’s back seat. What you can’t see is that we took a time out from the show back there that lasted another ten minutes. While the rear seats may not recline in place or offer a retractable ottoman like some multi-hundred-thousand-dollar luxury cars we know, on our middle-class incomes we’ll take what we can get.

More shots of my feet and some official images from Chrysler after the jump…