If it is for the US market only, my answer would be: I have no idea which engine suits the Spyker SSUV best.
If it is for the European market as well, my answer would be: Neither. I admit a Viper V10 or Corvette V8 could work fine from a technical point of view. But over here American engines are not considered sophisticated and true sports car material. Not based on facts, simply based on emotions from non US citizens.
I thought Lotus had a hand in the Corvette engine - isn't it an alloy block as well; whilst I thought the Viper's was an iron block and relies on cc's rather than sophistication.
The US is still Spykers largest market. Personally I don't expect the SSUV to be a hit anywhere in Europe. I can see them better suited for markets like the Middle-East, Russia and China.
So, being able to say that you have a V10, rather than a V8, in your SSUV, adds to its exclusivity. Even if the V8 is much more sophisticated.
The figures showed are Dutch taxes which will be introduced on February 1, 2008. But more and more countries in Europe are introducing CO2 related taxes.
It's amazing that the car brands that use the least gas are paying the highest taxes.
I totally agree, that is one of the reasons I dislike our government.
When you buy a Ferrari F430 you have to pay € 21k CO2 tax (Dutch name: Slurptax). The Seat Leon TDI of pterps for instance won't have to pay CO2 tax as it is considered clean enough.
Since the tax is CO2 related, let's see how much they actually pollute on a yearly basis:
Ferrari: 3,000 kms x 420g = 1,260 kg
Seat: 60,000 km x 161g = 9,660 kg
Which means the Seat in this example produces 7,6 times as much CO2 on a yearly basis. Therefore the Ferrari owner has to pay € 21k extra tax
I will not even consider buying one if it has one of those engines in it. I would prefer to see a diesel engine. Perhaps the 6 cyl that International puts in their MXT. I still don't know what the hell Spyker is thinking on this SUV thing...
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