Spyker Is Gearing Up for Yet Another Comeback

The modern history of Spyker reads like a cycle of financial turbulence. Bankruptcies and revivals have followed one another ever since the company acquired Saab from General Motors back in 2010. Through it all, the brand has remained under the leadership of its longtime figurehead and driving force, Victor Muller. Now, Muller has announced yet another attempt to bring the struggling marque back to life.

The first hints of Spyker’s return surfaced about six months ago. In mid-October, Muller revealed that he had reached an agreement with bankruptcy administrators and regained control of the brand’s intellectual property, including its trademarks. He also confirmed plans to restart small-scale, hand-built production of Spyker supercars in the Netherlands. At the time, he promised that the first revived model would debut this year at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, though he held back most details.

Now, more information has emerged. The first model to return will be the Spyker C8 Preliator—a car originally unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show about a decade ago but never fully realized as a production vehicle. This time around, the “Preliator” (Latin for “warrior”) is expected to feature a completely new powertrain: a twin-turbocharged V8 producing around 800 horsepower, with no hybrid assistance.

Top speed is projected to reach approximately 217 mph. However, the engine supplier and detailed specifications remain undisclosed. For reference, the 2016 version of the C8 Preliator used a supercharged Audi-sourced V8 delivering 525 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual from Getrag or an automatic transmission from ZF.

The exterior and interior design of the revived model have yet to be revealed—possibly because development is still ongoing. So far, the car has only been shown as a rolling chassis, reportedly unit number 270, sitting on an assembly jig.

The finished vehicle is scheduled to make its official debut in Pebble Beach, California, on August 14, 2026, where pricing will likely be announced. A decade ago, the original C8 Preliator started at around $350,000 after conversion, and it’s safe to assume the new version won’t come any cheaper.