Dutch boutique carmaker Spyker says its B6 concept car is the first step in a global resurgence

By Stephen Edelstein February 19, 2013

Wacky Dutch carmaker Spyker says it is on the verge of a global resurgence, and that it will all begin with the unveiling of a concept car at the Geneva Motor Show. That concept, codenamed B6, may preview a future production model that could broaden Spyker’s appeal.

A few weeks ago, Spyker CEO Victor Muller announced that his company would be bringing a new car to Geneva, and rumors of a smaller, less-expensive sports car designed to take on the Porsche 911 began circulating.

Muller hasn’t elaborated any further on the B6’s design or market segment, instead preferring to whet appetites before the car’s March 5 unveiling in Switzerland.

It looks like the B6 will be a sports car, and that should be cause enough to celebrate. Spyker’s neo-Victorian styling has won it many fans, but the company won’t be able to keep the momentum going forever with the one model it currently produces.

Spyker has been building different versions of the C8 since 1999. The current C8 Aileron sports a 4.2-liter Audi V8, with 400 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque.

Although it has been continually refined over the years, the C8 is still basically a 14-year-old car, so an infusion of new technology could be helpful.

Positioning the B6 below the C8 as a 911 fighter also opens up a wider potential customer base, and could potentially allow Spyker to grow from a boutique carmaker into a Dutch Porsche or Aston Martin.

Spyker Cars NV spent the past few years buying and trying to operate Saab, but with the demise of the Swedish brand, it seems the company is turning its attention back to the Spyker brand itself.

There is more to this kooky Dutch brand than meets the eye. Spyker started out in 1880 as a coachbuilder, and even built the carriage used by the Dutch Queen. At the turn of the 20th century, Spyker transitioned to car and airplane (hence the propellor in the company’s logo) manufacture. The company went bust in 1926, and was revived as Spyker Cars NV in 1999.

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations

The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.