Autoblog

click above to view the pre-production D12 at the 2007 Geneva show

Like one of their exotics sitting impatiently on your driveway, Spyker isn't content sitting still, so the bean-counters will just have to keep up. Despite deep financial woes troubling the company, Spyker is forging ahead with new models. Following the announcement that the new long-wheelbase version of the C8 Laviolette would be hitting the show stand at Geneva, Spyker has reportedly confirmed that the radical D12 Peking-to-Paris SSUV, possibly with American muscle, will in fact begin production next year. This confirmation, however, has only been reported by one website that doesn't cite its source and claims the news comes from an investors conference at which Victor Muller, the President of Spyker's management board, made the announcement. Unfortunately, we could find no other evidence that Spyker itself has confirmed the D12 is headed into production.

The production of the exotic sport-ute would be part of Spyker's plan to expand into emerging markets in Eastern Europe where performance SUVs are valued most among the growing upper class. Meanwhile, because half of its sales are in the United States, Spyker is also forced to cave in to demand for an automatic transmission in the C8, which is also reportedly confirmed for the fall.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Spyker unveiled its Super Sports Utility Vehicle (SSUV) prototype at Geneva today, with production version due to follow in late 2007. The Peking-to-Paris model commemorates Spyker's participation in the 1907 cross-country race of the same name, and is intended to invent a luxury SUV market - answering the question, "What do supercar buyers drive when they get older?" The target markets for Spyker's SUV are the Middle East, the U.S. and China, and the Dutch automaker expects sales of the SSUV to outstrip those of its existing sports car models.

Here are some highlights:

• full-time four-wheel drive
• four doors, suicide configuration
• VW's 6-liter, W12 engine, putting out 500 hp
• 0-60 mph in 5 seconds
• carbon-ceramic matrix brakes
• all-aluminum construction

Spyker also used the occasion to unveil their revamped website at www.spykercars.com Lots of information on the SSUV and Spyker's other models - check it out. The full Spyker press release and lots of pictures follow the jump.

[Source: Spyker] Thanks for the tip, Sjoerd!

[Alberto's live shots after the jump!!!]