Spyker’s B6 Venator concept – image: Spyker Cars
If you’ve been wondering what happened to Dutch supercar builder Spyker, wonder no more: Saab’s former parent is back with a new concept car, the B6 Venator, launched this week in Geneva. Like the currently-available C8 Aileron and C8 Aileron Spyder, the B6 Venator (Latin for “hunter”), pays homage to Spyker’s aircraft roots, down to the engine-turned dash, vintage gauges, afterburned-styled taillights and “missile launcher” ignition switch.
Spyker’s B6 Venator concept – image: Spyker Cars
Outside, the B 6 doesn’t stray too far from familiar territory. The coupe’s lines are a bit more aggressive than we’ve seen from the brand in the past, but the radiator grill and greenhouse still carry a very familiar shape. While the C8 Aileron conveyed more luxury than sport in its appearance, the B6 seems to lean a bit more towards the sporting side in exterior design.
Spyker’s B6 Venator concept – image: Spyker Cars
Drivetrain layout is mid-engine, rear drive, and the Venator gets its power from a transverse-mounted V-6 engine, said to be good for “over” 375 horsepower. Don’t expect to see a manual gearbox if the Venator sees production, since the concept’s build sheet references a six-speed automatic transmission. Spyker hasn’t published any performance figures, but the B6’s curb weight of under 3,080 pounds should ensure spirited performance.
Spyker’s B6 Venator concept – image: Spyker Cars
We’re glad to see Spyker planning for the future, and we’ll even admit to favoring the B6’s retro-futuristic styling. Still, we’ve been down this concept road with Spyker a few times in the past, and it always seems to come to a dead end. The D12 (later the D8) Peking-To-Paris uber-SUV was shown as a concept in 2006, and has yet to reach production.
Spyker’s B6 Venator concept – image: Spyker Cars
The same holds true for the Spyker E8, a sedan concept that has yet to progress from the drawing board to the concept stage. While we take the reveal of the B6 Venator as good news, Spyker’s track record of putting concepts into production tell us that the car may never progress beyond the show car stage. Spyker clearly needs more models in its portfolio than the aging C8, but we’re not sure the market needs another luxury sport coupe from a low-volume builder.
