“Spyker is back with a vengeance and we look forward to a bright future for the company I founded 15 years ago,” affirmed CEO Victor Muller in a related statement.
As ambitious as ever, Spyker’s first post-bankruptcy move will be to merge with Volta Volare, an electric aircraft manufacturer based in Portland, Oregon. Details of the merger are still vague at best, but Muller hinted that the two companies will team up to build electric cars and airplanes. Volta Volare has not commented on Spyker’s comeback.
Surprisingly, Spyker made no mention of the Porsche 911-fighting B6 Venator models that it was working on before it filed for bankruptcy. Presented in 2013, the coupe (pictured) and convertible versions of the B6 Venator were high-zoot mid-engined sports cars powered by a 375-horsepower V6 that many speculated was sourced from the Lotus parts bin. Both cars were on track for a limited production run up until late last year, and they’re still prominently showcased on the company’s official website.
Similarly, Spyker had negotiated a lucrative contract with China-based Youngman before finding itself in dire financial straits. In 2013, Youngman invested about €25 million (roughly $33 million at the time) to help Spyker turn the wild-looking D8 Paris-to-Peking concept into a reality. Aimed at super-SUVs like the Bentley Bentayga and the Lamborghini Urus, the D8 was billed as the world’s first mid-engined crossover.
All told, Spyker’s surprising comeback raises more questions than it answers. We suspect we’ll hear more about what the future holds for the automaker and its burgeoning partnership with Volta Volare on the sidelines of this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
