It seems odd to me that GM is calling the shots on the Saab deal. They probably know that the Saab name carries much more brand loyalty than the other names they put on the chopping block this past couple of years (seriously, who describes themselves as a Pontiac person?). But they nevertheless have a brand that has been losing credibility for some time now, and a brand that most of even the most die-hard of Saab fans have given up as a sad case of American capitalists making a giant, flabby, tasteless mess out of a venerable European tradition. You know, like what we did with the brewing of beer.
But I was intrigued enough by this potential deal that I decided to see just who these Spyker folks are, and what they are about. While Koenigsegg, the initial suprise bidder for Saab, is certainly a brand known for pushing every possibility to its limit, there was a certain amount of sense there. A Swedish company buying out their Swedish brethren, perhaps ushering in a new era of innovation and excitement for the "Born from Jets" brand. But who are these Dutch maniacs, and what kinds of cars do they make?
As a former Saab owner, I had only one reaction to the images of Spyker's flagship Aileron supercar.
AAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!
Where to begin?
The bizarre and seemingly nonsensical placement of turbine-inspired intakes, including the one draped like a flaccid penis between the two panels of the 80's style T-top moonroof?
Gull-wing doors? On top of everything, gull-wing doors?
The interior- resembling the result of a P. Diddy/Vivienne Westwood design collaboration on Liberace's sex room?
It's just that every single element of this vehicle is too *done*. If *one* spoiler is good, let's try two, one on top, and one on the bottom of the rear. If *some* red in an interior (for reference, look at just about every other supercar) is good, LOTS and LOTS of red must be better. It's like a supercar designed by a 12-year-old boy. Too much, everywhere, in every way. It's lacking only a flux capacitor and standard-issue bikini-clad passengers.
All in all, I'm glad Spyker is still in play, just because I think they could learn a thing or two about moderation, broad appeal, and design from collaborating tightly with the folks in Trollhattan. There is nothing wrong with going crazy on a supercar, but to make a supercar that is beyond the exotic, something teenagers buy posters of, something whose name sends shivers down a trophy wife's spine... you need to know when to quit.
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