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Today I had a chance to drive the Spyker D8 mule. You know, the D8, disguised as a Landrover like car, which has the D8 engine, suspension, brakes and weight distribution. But not the interior, nor exhaust and sound of the final D8.
Michael Schouten took me out in rather rainy conditions, but that did not make a difference. The roadholding capabilities of the D8 are phenomenal. I have a Cayenne Turbo with the active suspension option, so I know what the current SUV benchmark feels like. Roughly the same torque, but around 1200LB (500+KG) lighter makes such a difference, and with less electronic wizardry, just feels so much better planted.
We are of course not mentioning any speeds here, but all of a sudden a helicopter showed up straight ahead of us......
Michael let me drive back to the factory, but not knowing the car, and in inclement weather, I drove rather calmly, just when a police car showed up "out of nowhere" on the lonely polder road we were on. I was at that point driving the speed limit, so they let us drive on
I was very impressed with the D8 capabilities. Spyker was testing different braking systems on the mule, and I loved the system they just put on and tested. Very responsive and with great pedal feel. Much better than the Porsche system, but this is also a result of the D8 being much lighter. It did not feel very fast, but that feeling changed rapidly when I glanced at the instrument panel
The most notable thing missing was the famous Spyker exhaust sound.
I want to thank Victor and Michael for giving me the chance to experience something unique, and I can't wait to see the further development of what is going to be a fantastic car. Spyker is not kidding when they call it a SSUV.
Sadly, there are no pictures.
Michael Schouten took me out in rather rainy conditions, but that did not make a difference. The roadholding capabilities of the D8 are phenomenal. I have a Cayenne Turbo with the active suspension option, so I know what the current SUV benchmark feels like. Roughly the same torque, but around 1200LB (500+KG) lighter makes such a difference, and with less electronic wizardry, just feels so much better planted.
We are of course not mentioning any speeds here, but all of a sudden a helicopter showed up straight ahead of us......
Michael let me drive back to the factory, but not knowing the car, and in inclement weather, I drove rather calmly, just when a police car showed up "out of nowhere" on the lonely polder road we were on. I was at that point driving the speed limit, so they let us drive on
I was very impressed with the D8 capabilities. Spyker was testing different braking systems on the mule, and I loved the system they just put on and tested. Very responsive and with great pedal feel. Much better than the Porsche system, but this is also a result of the D8 being much lighter. It did not feel very fast, but that feeling changed rapidly when I glanced at the instrument panel
The most notable thing missing was the famous Spyker exhaust sound.
I want to thank Victor and Michael for giving me the chance to experience something unique, and I can't wait to see the further development of what is going to be a fantastic car. Spyker is not kidding when they call it a SSUV.
Sadly, there are no pictures.
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