Spyker D12 Peking-to-Paris

The Spyker D12 Peking-to-Paris is a luxurious 4-door high performance SUV from the Dutch car manufacturer Spyker Cars.

The model was introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show and production is scheduled to begin in late 2007. After the introduction there, the model already received well over 100 orders. The model was first introduced to the North-American market, which is believed to be its main market, at the New York motor show in April 2006.

The name Peking-to-Paris refers to the Peking to Paris endurance rally held in 1907 from Peking (now called Beijing) in China to Paris in France, in which an almost standard Spyker car participated, driven by Frenchman Ch. Goddard. The Spyker car came in second in the rally after a three month drive.

Despite having a weight of 1,850 kg, the car still goes from 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph) in 5.0 seconds and has a top speed of 295 km/h. It achieves this by using a 500 bhp Audi W12 engine.

Though being an SUV, the car has a lot of design features from Spyker's sports car, the C8, such as the "aeroblade" wheels and smooth rear view mirrors. Also notable is that the back seat doors are hinged at the rear, creating so called suicide doors.

Spyker insists the 2008 D12 Peking to Paris is production-ready. The automaker will build 250 models for sale by the end of next year.

Prices are expected to start at $287,500, ranking the D12 Peking to Paris as today's priciest SUV — if that's what you can call it.

Official website about Spyker D12 Peking -to-Paris