Dutch Startup Aims to Create a Supercar You’ll Straddle Rather than Sit In

      Sanrivatti

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      With a plethora of prestigious supercars available, entering the market as an unfamiliar startup is quite challenging. However, although Sanrivatti, based in the Netherlands, lacks a long history or a renowned figure leading it, it offers something distinctive: you won't merely sit in its upcoming supercar; you'll straddle it.

      Sanrivatti has introduced what it refers to as the “Apex Position,” a motorcycle-inspired seating arrangement that the company asserts will pair with proprietary technology to provide the driver with a “heightened sense of awareness, superior balance, and enhanced connection during acceleration, braking, and cornering.” This approach aims to make the driver feel more attuned to the car's actions, as Sanrivatti CEO Santiago Sánchez Rivero explained in an interview with Top Gear.

      “On a high-performance motorcycle, the rider and machine function as one,” Rivero stated. “In contrast, even the most capable performance cars often create a disconnection between driver and machine due to layers of structure, design, technological systems, and traditional practices.”

      The exact method Sanrivatti plans to implement this improved connection remains unclear. The company mentions “immersive ergonomics” and “controls tailored to natural human movement.” Furthermore, as reported by Top Gear, the staff includes veterans from McLaren, Lotus, Bentley, and Singer. However, specifics about the vehicle’s design, powertrain, or a definitive unveiling date have yet to be revealed.

      Other manufacturers have attempted to capture the motorcycle feel with additional wheels, focusing more on how bikes lean into corners rather than the seating itself. Another Dutch company, Carver, which was founded in 1994 and went bankrupt in 2024, created a three-wheeler that featured two standard seats arranged in a line. Its unique control system allowed the narrowly-built vehicle to lean while cornering without tipping over. Similarly, the Mercedes-Benz F400 Carving concept from 2001, a more typical four-wheeled roadster, achieved comparable results by adjusting its wheel camber.

      In terms of offering an unfiltered driving experience, vehicles like the Ariel Atom and BAC Mono don't particularly pamper or insulate their drivers. Moreover, there are numerous motorcycles (and three-wheelers) available for those seeking a more raw experience. While it may not be essential, Sanrivatti will be able to claim it has something unique that sets it apart—something that could make a center-seat McLaren F1 or Czinger 21C seem ordinary. Considering the array of options supercar buyers already have, this uniqueness could be as crucial to the company's success as its engineering.