The world of electric-cars is ever expanding as the combustion engines seem to fade away into history. One brand, all but forgotten to time, has been back in the headlines in recent years. The automaker, Hispano Suiza, had been lying dormant since 2000, when they last debuted a car, the HS21 concept. Before that, Hispano Suiza had not been heard from in the automotive world since their last vehicle, the A11, in 1953. Originally founded in 1904 by a group of industrialist in Barcelona, Spain, Hispano Suiza manufactured cars, trucks and at one point, airplane engines.
In 2019, Hispano Suiza, now under ownership of Suiza’s great-grand daughter, debuted the Hispano Suiza Carmen. It was the brands first car since the 2000 concept, and the brands first all electric car. The million dollar plus hypercar was followed up with Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne in 2021. Now onto its 3rd iteration, the Hispano Suiza Carmen Segrera celebrates the brands 120th anniversary.
Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera
The Sagrera represents the latest model from the Hispano Suiza brand. The 2024 Carmen Sagrera shares its carbon fiber monocoque and body panels with the 2021 Hispano Suiza Boulogne, but shows advancements in both the interior design and performance. Interior design was handed off to Italian coach-builder, Italdesign. The result is a newly designed center console, more Alcantara, and an updated infotainment system. Executives at Hispano Suiza also aimed to make the Sagrera a better handling track car than it was previously. The Sagrera gets an eye-catching yet fully functional rear-wing, one Hispano refers to as being “stork winged shape”.
Performance
The Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera is powered by a 103.0 kWh battery pack and four 275-hp electric motors sending power only to the rear-wheels. Horsepower remains the same as previous Carmen models at 1,100. However, the battery pack in the Carmen Sagrera weighs only 1,350 pounds; that’s 400 pounds lighter than the Carmen Boulogne. Range is estimated to be around 250 miles although official EPA testing has not yet been completed. Hispano has not released a top speed however zero-to-sixty miles per hour is done in a blisteringly quick 2.6 seconds.
The goal of having a better performing car on the track came in the form of many upgrades on the Sagrera. A software system is now responsible for managing the torque, rather than a traditional physical connection found in most cars. Hispano developed a dynamic parallelogram suspension system, which features adjustable shocks and coils. The battery pack also has a 50:50 weight distribution which helps handling. A roll bar, massive carbon ceramic brakes and a new cooling system are all there to help increase lap times.
Design
Well, where to start? There’s no denying the Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera is a head-turner. In a good way or in a bad way is for you to decide. The black-pointed grill dawns the Hispano Suiza name and logo. There is thought behind the fronts unique design too, as it was designed to send air to the side vents and rear-wing. The massive stork-shaped rear wing not only draws attention but helps provide downforce at high speeds. The carbon fiber front fenders display a 120th anniversary design, while a stork emblem sits slightly above it. The cars color, Cava Gold, was inspired by a bottle of wine. There’s also a black stripe along the side of the car with a Segrera signature. The rear of the car has more carbon fiber and massive vents to help with cooling. Looking at the brake lights you’ll find yet another stork emblem. On the wheels you’ll find a unique design inspired from the mosaics of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi.
Pricing and Availability
If you’re thinking a car with all this horsepower and technology isn’t cheap, you’re exactly right. Starting price is around $3.2 million USD, which is inline with other cars from elite automakers like Pagani, Bugatti, and Koenigssegg. Unlike those brands, the Hispano Suiza Carmen Segrera is currently not road-legal in the United States and can only be driven on “show and display” tags. It’s currently road-legal in Europe, and the brand plans to open dealerships in the United States, signaling a U.S. legal car could be on its way. Hispano plans to build on 24 Carmen Segrera’s worldwide.
