Spyker
B6 Venator
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 US$ 125,000 and US$ 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.
The
Spyker B6 Venator Concept began production in early 2014 for key markets
including Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and India, followed by the US
in autumn 2014.
