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.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
