Spyker B6 Venator “Concept” Signifies Automaker’s Comeback at Geneva

Spyker B6 Venator “Concept” Signifies Automaker’s Comeback at Geneva Dutch automaker Spyker is planning a big comeback that hinges on its new Aston Martin V8 Vantage- and Porsche 911-fighter, a concept of which debuts at the Geneva Motor Show. Dubbed the Spyker B6 Venator concept, The Wall Street Journal reports this mid-engined sports car will go on sale with a price in the $150,000 range.

Spyker B6 Venator “Concept” Signifies Automaker’s Comeback at Geneva

Spyker B6 Venator “Concept” Signifies Automaker’s Comeback at Geneva

 Spyker B6 Venator “Concept” Signifies Automaker’s Comeback at Geneva

Spyker B6 Venator “Concept” Signifies Automaker’s Comeback at Geneva

Spyker B6 Venator “Concept” Signifies Automaker’s Comeback at Geneva

Named for the Latin word for “hunter,” the new Spyker B6 Venator couldn’t be mistaken for anything but a Spyker. Up front, the B6 Venator sports new LED accents, Spyker’s signature V-mesh grille, and “Spyker” written in a similar script that graced the company’s 1903 60 HP race car.

Spyker B6 Venator interior 300x187 imageLike the Spyker C8 and C12, the Venator pays tribute to Spyker’s aircraft manufacturer heritage with an airplane-inspired interior. The aluminum and leather interior features the automaker’s signature exposed gear change mechanism, as well as an engine start button hidden under a red cover.

Powering the B6 Venator will be a mid-mounted V-6 that’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The V-6 is said to make about 375 hp, though no other engine specs are available. Given Spyker’s history of using Audi-sourced powertrains, we suspect the Venator is powered by Audi’s 3.0-liter supercharged V-6, which makes 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque in the S5.
The Spyker B6 Venator features a carbon fiber body that sits on an aluminum chassis. Given the lightweight materials and small dimensions, the report says the B6 will weigh less than 3080 pounds – which, coincidentally, is just about the same as Porsche’s claimed curb weight for a base-model 2013 911 with the PDK automatic transmission.

Flush with cash thanks to a partnership with Chinese automaker Youngman Lotus, the B6 Venator will likely join the D8 Peking-to-Paris SUV as one of two new Spykers set to debut in 2014.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Ruf Transforms Porsche Boxster With 911 Muscle – 2013 Geneva

Ruf Transforms Porsche Boxster With 911 Muscle – 2013 Geneva German supercar manufacturer, Porsche tuner, and restorer Ruf Automobile GmbH arrived in Geneva with plenty of heavily modified Porsches including a Boxster with 911 muscle. The automaker made news with the announcement of an investment and cooperative agreement signed with investment group GENII Capital with that group’s founding partner Gerard Lopez — owner of the Lotus F1 team — becoming non-executive chairman of the board. Alois Ruf hopes to leverage the arrangement to help his group “undertake a major technological push,” adding that this liaison with an F1 partner will help further propel the company in the direction of high-technology supercars (an area Ruf has already explored with electric high-performance models), as the brand grows with recent expansions into China and Thailand.

Ruf Transforms Porsche Boxster With 911 Muscle – 2013 Geneva

Ruf Transforms Porsche Boxster With 911 Muscle – 2013 Geneva

 Ruf Transforms Porsche Boxster With 911 Muscle – 2013 Geneva

Ruf Transforms Porsche Boxster With 911 Muscle – 2013 Geneva

Ruf Transforms Porsche Boxster With 911 Muscle – 2013 Geneva

1964 901

Porsche 901 300x187 imageRuf had a large presence on the main show floor at Geneva this year, highlighting the breadth of its range of products and services, starting with a gorgeous Porsche 901. This freshly restored example was on hand to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the model quickly renamed 911 after Peugeot enforced a French trademark on three-digit names with a zero in the middle. Ruf has a full restoration shop that has undertaken refurbishment of several of the original 82 901s built, of which this was the 18th.

3800 S

Here Ruf 3800 S rear side view 300x187 imageis the car I’ve been clamoring for Porsche to offer, but which the automaker apparently never will: a proper mid-engined Boxster or Cayman with full 911 muscle. Porsche engineers have mumbled about structural problems with this, but Ruf proves them wrong, easily shoehorning the 3.8-liter, 414-hp, 332-lb-ft flat-six and a seven-speed PDK transmission into either model.

Rt 35 Roadster

Speaking of cars Porsche can’t, won’t, or hasn’t built yet, here’s the first twin-turbo convertible body offered on the new 991 architecture. Ruf RT 35 Roadster from above 300x187 imageChoose rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK transmission of your 621 hp and 610 lb-ft. Air intakes atop the rear fenders and Ruf wheels are the only clues to this stealthy Rt35’s Rufness. (The coupe body style is also offered.)

Rt 35 S

Paying homage to the legacy of the original Ruf Yellowbird, this S model adds 20 hp to the standard Rt 35 package, and the coupe gets an integral roll cage incorporated in the bodywork while preserving everyday usefulness. The cage improves torsional rigidity, for improved handling. The rear wing provides greater downforce, for improved high-speed handling.

Rt 12 R

This competition-oriented model is still based on the 997, but remains available. Lightened weight, the integrated roll cage, more advanced aerodynamics, and a lift system to help the aggressive front airdam clear driveways and such are part of the package. In this installation, the 3746cc six produces 740 hp and 708 lb-ft. Read our Ruf RT 12 R First Drive here.

RGT-8

To me, the most impressive offering in Ruf’s 911-based line is the RGT-8, which manages to install a compact, lightweight, four-cam, hemi-head, dry-sump V-8 in place of the standard flat-six with very little modification of the existing body structure. Designed, developed, and manufactured entirely in-house at Ruf, this naturally aspirated 4499cc wonder produces 542 hp and 370 lb-ft. Two were delivered in 997 bodywork, and delivery of 991-based cars is expected in August.

CTR 3 Clubsport

The Ruf CTR 3 Clubsport front side view 300x187 imageCTR 3 is entirely manufactured by Ruf, with styling that apes the LeMans racers of the 50s and 60s. This Clubsport variant gets extra carbon embellishments on the wheel arches, sills, and engine lid, and it gets a “Mohawk” air intake running over the roof. Its 3.8-liter six makes 766 hp and 723 lb-ft of torque.

For price and availability, contact Ruf’s U.S. distributor, Grand Sport LLC at 248-304-9091, or grandsport-michigan.com

Refreshed 2014 Volvo XC60, S60 Hit the Geneva Show Floor

Refreshed 2014 Volvo XC60, S60 Hit the Geneva Show Floor Nearly every Volvo on sale in the U.S. has been refreshed for the 2014 model year, and we got our first in-the-flesh look at the new sheetmetal at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Though a light-blue 2014 Volvo S60 and a copper-colored 2014 Volvo XC60 scored starring roles at Volvo’s display, the brand’s floor space also included a revised XC70 and S80.

Refreshed 2014 Volvo XC60, S60 Hit the Geneva Show Floor

Refreshed 2014 Volvo XC60, S60 Hit the Geneva Show Floor

 Refreshed 2014 Volvo XC60, S60 Hit the Geneva Show Floor

Refreshed 2014 Volvo XC60, S60 Hit the Geneva Show Floor

Refreshed 2014 Volvo XC60, S60 Hit the Geneva Show Floor

The Volvo XC60 has always been a good-looker, but the car really pops with the color on the show floor car pictured above. Like the refreshed 2014 S60 sedan, the 2014 XC60 has revised headlights that use the space formerly occupied by the independently housed LED daytime running lights. Along with a revised grille and lower front fascia, the XC60 offers a customizable digital instrument cluster display. Also offered on the S60, the system can even notify the driver how much power is being used at any given time.
As for the 2014 S60, with the Geneva show car’s big two-tone wheels and revised headlights, the car looks more like its S80 big brother from the front than it ever has before. Throw in the S80's newly available exhaust tips that are integrated into the rear fascia, and overall, you’ve got a more refined design.
Take a close look at the 2014 Volvo XC70 and you may notice a surprisingly intricate six-spoke wheel design. The SUV may be a bit overshadowed in sales by the XC60, but is the last remaining wagon-like vehicle Volvo sells in the U.S. Get your fill of from-the-auto-show-floor photos of refreshed Volvos in the gallery below.

Mini Celebrates Dakar Win with Special-Edition Countryman

Mini Celebrates Dakar Win with Special-Edition Countryman Mini’s feeling pretty proud after winning this year’s Dakar Rally in Chile. So proud, in fact, that it will make 11 special-edition John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4s to celebrate its win at the historic race.

Mini Celebrates Dakar Win with Special-Edition Countryman

Mini Celebrates Dakar Win with Special-Edition Countryman

 Mini Celebrates Dakar Win with Special-Edition Countryman

Mini Celebrates Dakar Win with Special-Edition Countryman

Mini Celebrates Dakar Win with Special-Edition Countryman

2013 Mini JCW Countryman All4 Dakar Rally rear three quarter 2 300x187 imageWhile the Mini Countryman didn’t fare well in the 2011 Dakar Rally, it pulled out a win in 2012. This year, co-pilots Jean-Paul Cottret and Stephane Peterhansel piloted the all-wheel drive crossover to victory after 14 stages between Lima, Peru to Santiago, Chile. This win marks Peterhansel’s eleventh victory in the famous rally.

That number—eleven—is significant, because it’s the number of special-edition cars that Mini will make to mark the occasion. All 11 are based on the stock Mini John Cooper Works Countryman, which means they’ll be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter I-4 engine (producing 218 hp) and featuring an electronically controlled all-wheel drive system that shifts torque to the rear wheels only in low-traction situations. Mini doesn’t say if the 11 models will use the six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, although we’d guess that the Dakar-edition cars stay true to their namesake and offer a manual (although the actual Dakar rally car uses a sequential manual transmission).

2013 Mini JCW Countryman All4 Dakar Rally right side view 300x187 imageThe special-edition cars won’t offer any more horsepower than the base cars, but they will show off some limited-edition graphics and visual upgrades. The paint is matte black, and on top of that Mini puts bright-green bonnet and side stripes that show off the Mini ALL4 Racing logo and Peterhansel’s signature. No replica rally car would be complete without a race number card and some spotlights, to the Dakar JCW Countryman has both: the front doors show off Peterhansel and Cottret’s name and entry number, and Mini puts a set of driving lights in front of the upper grille insert. The car sits atop 19-inch “cross-spoke crusher” alloy wheels.

On the inside, the floor mats and the gear shifter have bright green contrast stitching, which match the green stripes on the center console trim. As usual, the special edition car has its own plaque with serial number, just above the glove compartment.

Pricing for the car hasn’t yet been announced, but when it is, it’ll be in Euros: in deference to Peterhansel, all eleven Dakar Rally JCW Countrymans will be sold in his home country of France.

Source: Mini