After a troubled few years, Spyker is finally back on track. The Dutch supercar manufacturer showed up to this year’s Geneva Motor Show with an all-new car called the B6 Venator. It’s smaller than the company’s previous cars and carries and equally reduced price tag – that doesn’t make it cheap however, it’s expected to fetch somewhere between $125,000 and $150,000 when it goes on sale next year.
The name ‘Venator’ means ‘Hunter’ in Latin. The name recalls Spyker’s roots as an aircraft manufacturer, and the Hunter was one of the fighter aircraft they produced in the early 20th century. As usual with Spykers there’s a number of aeronautical-themed designed details throughout the concept. Not to mention that double-bladed propeller badge.
The Spyker B6 Venator is powered by a transverse-mounted V6 engine which produces 375 horsepower. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 6-speed automatic gearbox. If 375 horsepower doesn’t sound like a lot for a supercar in an age when 500+ horsepower sedans are readily available, that’s because it isn’t a lot. But Spyker have never tried to be the fastest or most powerful cars on the block. Their appeal comes from the fact they make extremely classy and stylish looking cars. They have been described before as being like a fine suit. You wear it to look good. Not to play sports.
Underneath the chiseled carbon fiber bodywork is and all-aluminium chassis. That helps keep things light, and the B6 Venator weighs in at 1,400 kgs. Not bad considering the levels of refinement inside.
The aircraft-cockpit inspired interior of the Spyker B6 Venator features a number of bespoke elements which can be tailored to suit the buyer. Clients can choose from diamond stitched quilted leather or Alcantara suede upholstery with contrasting stitching. Leather and aluminium festoon the cabin meaning there’s very few plastic elements to the interior. The bright red ignition switch sits in the middle of the center console and is the same type of safety switch used on many modern aircraft. Below it sits the starter button, you have to thumb both before the engine will start. Like previous Spyker cars, the B6 Venator features a gorgeous exposed chrome gear linkage. As an option Spyker offer a turned aluminium fascia for the interior paneling.
Spyker B6 Venator Specifications:
Body: All carbon fibre
Chassis: All aluminium platform
Engine mount position: rear-mid
Engine orientation: transverse mounted V6
Drivetrain type: RWD
Transmission: 6-spd automatic
Overall length: 4347 mm
Wheelbase: 2500 mm
Kerb weight: less than 1400 kg (3100 lbs)
The Spyker B6 Venator Concept will begin production in early 2014 for key markets including Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and India, followed by the US in autumn 2014.
Below is information from the Spyker B6 Venator press release:
Exterior highlights include:
- The trademark radiator grille’s mesh is V-shaped, referencing Spyker models of the previous century. The 1903 Spyker logo harkens back to an era when Spyker built racers such as the amazing 60HP.
- The aerodynamically shaped glass aircraft canopy extends rearwards to minimize drag, optimizing performance.
- The 3D LED rear lights are akin to the iris-type after burners of a jet engine from a modern fighter aircraft.
- The brake light has been sculpted into the rear panel design to ensure smooth, flowing design lines.
- Elegantly aggressive 19″ TurbofanTM wheels are shown in mirror polish finish.
Interior highlights include:
- Interior surroundings crafted from the finest materials are unusually open and airy for a sports car, the light and glass akin to an aeroplane cockpit. The leather is sourced from the Litano range produced by the Royal Hulshof Dutch Tanneries in Lichtenvoorde. Hulshof uses only West European first choice bull hides and a special tanning process that produces the beautifully rich color palette.
- The red cover on the ignition switch evokes the spirit of starting an aeroplane, as does the dashboard that lights up as part of the ‘pre-flight check.’ The dashboard is shown with a turned aluminium fascia, similar to those seen on Spykers of the 1920s.
- Pressing the engine start button brings to life a powerful V6 engine that delivers 375+ bhp.
Source: Spyker
If ever I could buy a really nice car, it would be a Spyker.
It’s not the best looking car ever, but it’s pretty sweet, I’ll give it that. Though I like some of the other Spyker’s better.