Earlier this year at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, Spyker unveiled its B6 Venator concept, and now a top-down variant will be revealed before the end of the year.

The B6 Venator is a compact, two-door, mid-engine sports car powered by a transverse-mounted V6 boasting at least 375 hp. It’s built on an all-aluminum chassis and thanks to plenty of carbon fiber on its body, the sports car weighs in at a scant 3,086 pounds.

SEE ALSO: Spyker B6 Venator Concept Revealed with 375+ HP V6

In the midst of a press release announcing its financial figures and business plan, the automaker revealed that a convertible B6 Venator will be unveiled “later this year” and mentioned that the launch of the B6 will mark the beginning of a new era for the brand. The B6 is scheduled to go into production starting next year while US-bound models will start later in fall 2014.

What does “later this year” mean? Probably the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

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As Spyker looks to rebuild its brand this year, the automaker is kicking off the revival with its B6 Venator Concept, a compact, two-door, mid-engine sports car.

Unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the B6 Venator might not hold much weight against the likes of the LaFerrari and Veneno, but it’ll also be priced around the $125,000 to $150,000 range. The Venator is built on an all-aluminum chassis with a transverse-mounted V6 that will boast at least 375 hp according to the Dutch automaker. Its body is full carbon fiber, allowing it to weigh in at less than 3,086 pounds.

“There is no denying that Spyker went through a very rough period in recent years,” said Victor Muller, Spyker CEO in a statement. “However, today we prove the truth of our motto since 1914, ‘Nulla tenaci invia est via’ – ‘For the tenacious no road is impassable.’ Our dealer body and prospective clients have been asking us to make a more affordable car for everyday use.

SEE ALSO: 2013 Geneva Motor Show Coverage

The B6 Venator was designed by Spyker’s CEO, Victor Muller, and pays homage to the brand’s past. The radiator’s mesh grille features trademark Spyker design, with its unique V-shape while the 1903 Spyker logo reflects back to the Spyker-built racers such as the 60HP. Other features on the exterior of the Spyker B6 Venator are 3D LED rear lights that resemble after burners from a jet engine, a brake light that has been sculpted into the rear panel for a smooth, flowing finish, and 19-inch TurbofanTM wheels in a mirror polish finish.

The Spyker B6 Venator will begin production in early 2014 and will be available in key markets throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and India, before heading to the U.S. in fall, 2014.

“The Spyker B6 Venator Concept is that car and more: it is the highlight of our hard work to create a viable future for our company. By offering an exquisite, hand-crafted, exclusive car at a more accessible price point of approximately $125,000 / $150,000, more of those discerning drivers who have aspired to own a Spyker will be able to achieve that dream,” Muller said. “Spyker B6 Venator Concept represents our view of the future, the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our history.”

GALLERY: Spyker B6 Venator Concept

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Spyker hinted that it would be heading to the 2013 Geneva Motor Show with a B6 Concept, and the above photo appears to be the first image of the concept sports car.

The Dutch automaker is looking to prove that it has landed on its feet after the Saab buyout fiasco, with its new B6 Venator concept where Venator is Latin for “hunter.” According to The Wall Street Journal, the Venator concept will be powered by a mid-engine V6 with 375 hp mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

SEE ALSO: Spyker B6 Concept to Spawn Brand’s “Global Resurgence”

The exotic will be built on an aluminum chassis with a carbon fiber body and aims to weigh in at under 3,080 pounds. It’ll essentially be the same size as a Porsche Boxster, though Spyker’s Chief Executive Victor Muller is realistic that “anybody who says they’re going to build a Porsche killer is crazy.”

Pricing will be set between €125,000 ($162,725) and €150,000 ($195,270) said Muller, and he currently anticipates production will be in the hundreds.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

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Spyker is returning to the global stage at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show with the B6 concept, a car which the brand is teasing today. 

No details have been released regarding the concept, but rumor has it that it will be smaller and cheaper than the brand’s C8 Aileron sports car. If that proves true, the new car from Spyker will target the Porsche 911 and Audi R8.

SEE ALSO: Spyker Might Debut Porsche 911 Rival in Geneva

After almost going bankrupt, Spyker is set to begin building cars again on its own, as it was outsourcing production to British Coachbuilder CPP. This new sports car is part of what the brand calls its “global resurgence,” as it plans to sell more mainstream products and step away from its troubled history

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Spyker is working to bring its brand back into the spotlight, and rumor has it that the Dutch brand plans to debut a Porsche 911 rival at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

Details are scarce, but Spyker CEO Victor Muller said that “it [the vehicle] will surprise you.” Speculation has it that it’ll be a smaller and cheaper variant of the C8 Aileron sports car.

SEE ALSO: Spyker C8 Aileron Production Ramping Up: Brand Says

As production begins to ramp back up for Spyker, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it moved quickly to get another model out onto the market. The company’s equipment has been moved from England to Holland as it continues to recover from the Saab disaster.

[Source: Telegraaf]

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Uncertainty overshadowed Dutch sports car maker Spyker over the last few years, and that’s something the brand is hoping to change.

It quietly launched an all-new website that it says is meant to offer “a contemporary look and quick and easy access to essential information on the Spyker brand and its products.” That access, it says, is meant to be easier not only for consumers but for its dealer partners. More importantly, the brand also announced that the redesign would coincide with a ramp-up in production of the C8 Aileron sports car, although actual projections are still unannounced.

In case you’re unfamiliar, Spyker is responsible for the line of C8 cars first sold in 2000. At the time, the brand only sold one, but went on up grow production, selling 94 units during its peak in 2006.

Fast-forward to 2013 and the company has seen a series of failed sales attempts, but is finally partnered with Youngman, a Chinese automotive firm that made headlines several times last year as it tried to buy then-floundering Saab.

SEE ALSO: Spyker Teams Up With Youngman to Develop D8 P2P

The C8 Aileron is powered by a 4.2-liter V8 borrowed from Audi. Thanks to that engine, the car boasts 400 hp, a 4.5-second 0-62 mph sprint and a 187 mph top speed.

While plans for the brand aren’t clear yet, but recent reports suggest Youngman plans to see Spyker build the D8 P2P SUV. A Spyker spokesman has yet to comment.

Coincidence? Shortly after Spyker sues GM for $3 billion over the Saab buyout, the Dutch automaker has signed a deal with Chinese automaker Youngman. As many know, Youngman attempted several times unsuccessfully to bid for Saab, but was blocked blocked by GM.

It seems Youngman has invested $12.5 million for a 29.9 percent stake in Spyker with no intent to take more than that in the future. In addition, the Chinese automaker will invest another $31 million to develop the D8 P2P SUV, which will be an all-new Spyker vehicle. A while back, Spyker revealed a concept (seen above) and the D8 P2P will resemble the original concept. On schedule to launch by the end of 2014, the car could cost as much as $250,000.

The collaboration will also allow Spyker to take advantage of the Phoenix architecture that Saab had built. Late last year, the platform was sold off to Youngman and will be the basis for a second new model for Spyker.

“We have felt all along that a cooperation with Spyker had to be pursued, even after we both unjustifiably lost the opportunity to restructure Saab,” said Pang Qingnian, Youngman CEO. “With this agreement, many of our original intentions with the Saab brand will take shape.”

Here we go again. Just when we thought the Saab buyout saga would be coming to a quiet conclusion, Dutch automaker Spyker has filed a lawsuit against General Motors on behalf of Saab, accusing GM of intentionally driving Saab into bankruptcy.

It’s well documented that China group Youngman tried multiple times to buy Saab, potentially saving it from bankruptcy, but GM decided such a sale would unfairly hand technology over that’s used in the 9-4X model.

Seeking $3 billion, Spyker is covering all the litigation costs on behalf of Saab in exchange for a “very substantial share” of the award when the proceedings are successful. A third party investor has helped Spyker secure the financial backing required to see the lawsuit to the very end, according to the automaker.

“Ever since we were forced to file for Saab Automobile’s bankruptcy in December of last year, we have worked relentlessly on the preparation for this lawsuit which seeks to compensate Spyker and Saab for the massive damages we have incurred as a result of GM’s unlawful actions,” said Victor Muller, Spyker CEO. ”We owe it to our stakeholders and ourselves that justice is done and we will pursue this lawsuit with the same tenacity and perseverance that we had when we tirelessly worked to save Saab Automobile, until GM destroyed those efforts and deliberately drove Saab Automobile into bankruptcy.”

Left languishing in the wake of Saab’s failure, Swedish luxury supercar maker Spyker desperately needs investors to stay afloat but it may be too much to ask for the company to overcome its current catch-22. 

Investors don’t often like putting money into a weak-looking company, but in Spyker’s case that money could very well be its last life raft. The company went by the name Swedish Automobile during the brief period when it owned Saab, but as since returned to its old moniker and monetary problems.

Spyker’s quest for investment isn’t new, but Saab’s failure prompted potential suitors like CPP Global Holdings and North Street Capital to put the brakes on, probably to be assured of Spyker’s buoyancy before forking over any cash.

In the first half of this year, Spyker posted a net profit of 126 million euros despite an operating loss of 1.4 million euros, according to De Telegraaf. The Swedish publication says that profit is largely from a financial restructuring and company recapitalization, which added 131 million euros to its bottom line.

If all goes as planned, that will help the company solve its struggle with getting parts from suppliers, allowing the company to build its exclusive Spyker C8  Aileron and hopefully woo investors.

Despite the tragic demise of the Saab brand, former Saab CEO Victor Muller isn’t going to quit just yet.

Found wandering around the 2012 Geneva Motor Show during its first press day, Victor Muller announced, “I’m a reborn man!”

Victor Muller elaborated upon the proclamation and revealed details to keep Spyker Cars, the Dutch hand-made supercar marque that put him on the automotive map. “I’m excited to get back into this business,” said Muller, adding that he has already put most of the liabilities incurred during the Saab fiasco behind him. Cash and finances will now be dedicated to restoring Spyker.

What’s more, Russian business partner Vladimir Antonov invested a significant amount into Saab and Spyker during its most turbulent period. Now, Muller is happy to say that Antonov is “out of the picture” entirely, suggesting more freedom for Muller to run his business. He ambitiously suggests the expansion of the Spyker line-up as well, which had never produced more than 100 vehicles a year.

Letting out a sigh at the mention of Saab, Muller hinted that Saab isn’t through with all nine of its lives. Some reports have indicated the possibility of several potential investors that could revive the Swedish brand. Unfortunately, the speed bump is dealing with intellectual properties from GM that are found within the 9-5 and 9-4X models.  In any case, Saab is no longer Muller’s problem.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

Bold and ambitious, Victor Muller founded Spyker Swedish exotic sports cars before purchasing Saab, believing in its return to past glory under his leadership. Confident in his abilities, Muller’s gamble on Saab put Spyker in danger as well.

Following Saab’s devastating bankruptcy, Swedish Automobile N.V. (Swan for short, formerly Spyker Cars N.V.) have announced that there are talks on the possible sale of Spyker as well. On the other hand, if Swan chooses to keep Spyker, then the company faces the difficult challenge of securing funds. However, if Swan is unable to raise capital or if a suitable buyer cannot be found, Spyker will likely suffer an unfortunate fate similar to Saab.

Plans to sell Spyker were hinted in the past as financial firms CPP Global Holdings and North Street Capital showed interest in the Swedish boutique automaker. But, inexplicably, both deals fell apart without any statements issued or information disclosed. Meanwhile, Spyker is also carrying debt held by Tenaci Capital BV, controlled by Victor Muller himself and wealthy Russian, Vladimir Antonov. Making matters even more serious, four of Swan’s supervisory and management board members, Hans Hugenholtz, Maurizia La Noce, Alex Roepers, and Rob Schuijt have resigned after disagreements with Victor Muller. Seeking nothing less than a Hail Mary pass, Swan issued 2.5 million shares to seek more investors. Despite the effort, existing shares of Swan have fallen to €0.22.

While the Spyker was never a popular marque, its sports cars are a celebration of spirited driving, luxury, and attention to the smallest detail. As time and money runs dry, we may soon witness the end to Spyker’s brilliant and short existence.

[Source: Autoweek]

U.S. private equity firm North Street Capital will give Saab a $70 million investment, including an equity stake worth $10 million and a $60 million loan to the ailing car maker.

With Chinese-backed financing looking increasingly unlikely, the investment from North Street Capital, a firm run by auto enthusiast Alex Mascioli, will give Saab the resources it needs to (literally) keep the lights on at their facilities. The Chinese government has yet to approve the bridge loan being offered by both Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co and Pang Da, and Saab’s owners fear that full payment will not be received on the October 22nd due date.

[Source: Automotive News]