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]

Click on the image above to view 17 high-resolution images

Spyker was focusing our attention on the C12 Zagato, its new super-exclusive supercar which took center stage. But sitting inconspicuously at the back of the booth was the D12 Peking-to-Paris "Super Sport Utility Vehicle" (SSUV). Most people passed it by, as it was all but completely indiscernible from the show car Spyker unveiled here a year ago. But the D12 was no concept, this was the pre-production version.

A Spyker corporate spokesman confirmed that they didn't highlight the pre-production D12 on their stand or during their press conference because they didn't want to detract from the C12 super-exotic, but said they'd be making a bigger deal of the SSUV at the New York show next month.

Aside from the different color scheme – last year's concept was black with tan interior, whereas this year's version was a dark grey over Dutch orange – the pre-production D12 Peking-to-Paris is 99-percent the same as the concept, according to Spyker. The main difference was what we couldn't see, as this version sat on Spyker's own aluminum frame instead of the "borrowed" underpinnings on which the concept sat.

Related posts:

• Dutch Treat: Spyker to unveil production SUV and concept four-door at Geneva
• Geneva Motor Show: world premiere Spyker D12 Peking-to-Paris

Click below for our full gallery of the pre-production D12 Peking-to-Paris SSUV, along with some other Dutch treats from the Spyker stand.

After doubling production over 2005 totals, Spyker is reporting that it should show a profit for 2006. Although coming in just shy of its target of 100 vehicles, the 94 cars sold last year should be enough to get them in the black. The number of orders written has grown from 191 at the end of 2005 to 327 at the end of last year.

Spyker is also hoping that the high visibility of its Formula 1 entry will help attract even more new customers. The Dutch automaker sells several versions of its jewelry-like 2-seat sports car at prices starting around $325,000. With Audi engines putting out 400+ hp and very lightweight structures, the cars are incredibly quick. The cars are pretty striking in person. In fact, a Spyker was the vehicle of choice for Sharon Stone's character in Basic Instinct 2. Spyker also still intends to build a production version of its Super Sport Utility Vehicle, the SSUV, that debuted at last year's Geneva Motor Show.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req]

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!!!]