Simply Abu Dhabi XIII

3 3 2 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I The small fact that it’s not quite as fast as similarly priced rivals from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and all the other supercars doesn’t really matter either, because as far as Spyker is concerned – its customers aren’t interested in pure speed alone. What does matter, according to Spyker, is how the Aileron will feel, sound, and look to its exclusive group of 80 to 100 owners who’ll buy the car every year. All of whom will doubtlessly already have a fleet of much faster supercars in their luxuriously appointed garages. Slipping inside the C8 is to enter into another world. A world furnished in a truly astonishing fashion. The cabin is swathed with padded leather - and not just any old leather. The leather for Spyker cars is sourced from the Litano range produced by the Hulshof Royal Dutch Tanneries in Lichtenvoorde. Hulshof use only West European first choice bull hides, and the special tanning process they employ produces a beautifully rich colour palette and a silky feel with an irresistible super-soft, warm touch. In all, 11 complete hides are taken up by the interior of every Spyker. An amazing feat in what isn’t exactly the largest space I’ve ever seen. Looking further, everything that isn’t leather-covered is aluminum, including the instrument panel, which in this car is further enriched by an optional engine-turned finish. This finish again adds an aeronautical touch as it was originally seen on planes in the 1920s and 30s, the effect achieved by hand turning metallic dust or fine shavings into the dashboard with a cork. Various secondary gauges are arrayed ’50s-style across the flat surface, a classic look enhanced by an aircraft-style toggle sheltered by a red flip-up cover, which forms the master switch for all electrical functions. Flipping that red cover to start the car really summons up the feeling of starting a classic aeroplane, in my imagination a fighter plane, of course. Activate the ignition switch and listen to the reassuring “clack” as the aluminium switch moves into place. Then watch as the dashboard lights up before pressing the engine start/stop button to unleash the rumble of the mighty V8 engine. It really is a wonderful soundtrack and, cossetted by that rich leather, you’re listening from the best seat in the house. Look up and the aircraft theme continues: the emotive dual roof structure is finished in stainless steel with laminated glass, the cockpit inspired configuration providing plenty of natural light and a real sense of drama to the driving experience. All the dials and switches in this car are otherworldly too. Plastic has been positively banished in favour of metal, so it’s aluminium everywhere you touch. The dials can even be upgraded to milled items by Chronoswiss, the legendary German watchmakers famous for their exquisitely milling techniques. Go a little further and they’ll apply their magic to all the switches too. It’s this kind of detail that sets the Spyker C8 Aileron apart from even its most expensive and exotic rivals. That total commitment to creating a real atmosphere by using the best materials every step of the way, and I mean every step of the way. Did I mention the matching Louis Vuitton luggage that’s on the options list? No? Well now I have and, trust me, it’s fabulous. So, if you haven’t considered it before, it’s time you added Spyker to your list of ‘must have’ supercars. It may not be the fastest but it’s something very special indeed.

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