The name 'Laviolette' is a reference to Belgian engineer Joseph Valentin Laviolette, who helped develop several Spyker race cars in the early 1900s.
The Double 12S was offered in five different stages of tune, listed below:[6] The name 'Double 12' is a reference to the 24-hour world speed record, set in 1922 by racing driver Selwyn Edge in a Spyker C4.
This updated model, announced by Spyker at the Amsterdam Motor Show in February 2003, features a twin-turbocharged version of the Spyder's 4.2L V8, resulting in a power increase to 525 PS (386 kW; 518 hp).
At the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, Spyker introduced a long-wheelbase C8 Laviolette to be produced alongside the original standard-wheelbase car.
[9] At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Spyker debuted the C8 Aileron, described by the company as the second generation of their C8 sports car, to replace the Laviolette.
[10] Though still equipped with the same 4.2L Audi V8 from the Spyder and Laviolette, the Aileron features a longer, wider body, and, for the first time in the C8, an optional ZF automatic transmission.
As with previous Spyker models, the car has typical aviation inspired design elements such as NACA styled air-inlets.
Driver technology has been upgraded as well compared to previous models, with the C8 Preliator gaining a heads-up display and bluetooth connectivity for phones.
Though introduced with the Koenigsegg V8 producing 600 hp (447 kW; 608 PS), due to the termination of the engine deal the Spyder will also use the Preliator's 4.2L supercharged Audi V8.
The Double 12R was a version of the C8 developed specifically for the 24 hours of Le Mans, using a Mader BMW V8 racing engine with a displacement of 4.0L and power output of 487 PS (358 kW; 480 hp).
[24] Aileron and Preliator models adopted an updated suspension setup developed by Lotus, with an increase number of parts manufactured from forged aluminum and new mono-tube dampers.