February 28, 2024

MWCapital and Hispano Suiza present the first driving simulator of the Spanish hypercar brand

Francesc Fajula, CEO of Mobile World Capital Barcelona, Sergio Martínez Campos, CEO of Hispano Suiza, Luis Pérez Sala, former Formula 1 driver and Hispano Suiza driver ambassador, and Pablo Suárez, Hispano Suiza test driver.
  • The simulator allows visitors to live the experience of driving a Carmen Boulogne, Hispano Suiza’s 100% electric hypercar, on a track that emulates the historic urban racing circuit of Montjuïc (Barcelona).
  • The initiative was presented this morning by the CEO of Hispano Suiza, Sergio Martínez Campos and the CEO of MWCapital, Francesc Fajula, who also spoke about the future of the industry and electric vehicles.
  • The activity is part of ‘Remember the future’, MWCapital’s proposal at MWC Barcelona, which this year, addresses reindustrialisation to show how technology and innovation are shaping the future of key sectors.

Barcelona, February 28th, 2024.- Mobile World Capital Barcelona and Hispano Suiza presented today, at MWC Barcelona, the first virtual driving simulator that allows you to drive the Carmen Boulogne hypercar along a route that emulates the legendary Montjuïc street circuit.


The initiative was presented at a press conference by the CEO of Hispano Suiza, Sergio Martínez Campos, and the CEO of Mobile World Capital Barcelona, Francesc Fajula. Both have reflected on the future of the industry and electric mobility, its challenges, and advantages, as well as discussing details of the linking of both entities for this unique project.

According to Martínez Campos, “from our first factory, through Sagrera, to our current facilities in Montmeló, Hispano Suiza continues to be a driving force for progress by fostering innovation”. “We are a very unique project – Martínez Campos continues – the only hypercar brand in our country, and we are literally blazing a trail. That is why, as we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our commitment to constant evolution.”

For his part, Francesc Fajula stated that “designing a simulator between MWCapital and Hispano Suiza is a challenge with which we want to bring the mobility of the future closer to the public“. “We wanted to work with a historic benchmark in the automotive sector, Hispano Suiza, to bring together car and technology in a unique driving experience“, concluded Fajula.


The unique experience of driving an electric hypercar

The Carmen Boulogne pays tribute to Hispano Suiza’s motor racing heritage and offers a unique driving experience, which has been reproduced using the latest technologies in this simulator: 820kW (1,114 hp) of power provided by four electric motors (two on each rear wheel), a top speed of 290 km/h (180 mph) and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in under 2.6 seconds.

The simulator, the R&D and engineering work behind the Carmen Boulogne and the role of Hispano Suiza as the seed of the automotive industry in our country were the protagonists of the round table with the participation of the CMO of Hispano Suiza, Victor Cobos, the CIO of Mobile World Capital, Eduard Martín, the former Formula 1 driver and driver ambassador of Hispano Suiza, Luis Pérez Sala, and a test driver of Hispano Suiza, Pablo Suárez.

A journey to the Barcelona of the future through industry 

This experience is part of ‘Remember the future’, MWCapital’s proposal that covers the past, present and future of the sectors that have transformed industry and the economy, and that have placed Barcelona as a global benchmark.   

At MWCapital’s booth at MWC Barcelona, users can see originals of some of the iconic inventions that have transformed the industry over the last century, experience an immersive sensory journey through the four great industrial revolutions (from mechanics to electricity, digital to AI), and participate in four gamified experiences to understand how technology and innovation are shaping the future of four countries. cutting-edge sectors such as health, mobility, fashion and energy. All this, with a focus on a more sustainable, more resilient and more human-centered technology.   

About Mobile World Capital Barcelona 

Mobile World Capital Barcelona is a public-private foundation that promotes the digital development of society to build a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future through the humanistic use of technology. MWCapital contributes to positioning Barcelona as a global benchmark in the digital field and consolidating MWC’s legacy throughout the year by promoting initiatives in the field of technology transfer, the promotion of digital talent, the development of innovative technological projects with social impact and the generation of knowledge. MWCapital hosts MWC in Barcelona, is the founder of 4YFN and connects citizens with the latest digital trends through Jump2Digital and Tech&Play. 

About Hispano Suiza

Hispano Suiza is a historic Spanish automobile brand owned by four generations of the Suqué Mateu family. Hispano Suiza Fábrica de Automóviles S.A. was founded in Barcelona in 1904 by Damián Mateu, with the help of technical director and engineer Marc Birkigt, also a partner in the company. In 2024 it will be 120 years old, being one of the brands with the longest legacy in the history of the automotive industry.

Between 1904 and 1946, Hispano Suiza produced more than 12,000 high-performance luxury cars and 50,000 aircraft engines. In 2019, the brand unveiled the Hispano Suiza Carmen, its 100 percent electric “Hypercar”, and a year later, it would up the ante with the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne. In total there are 24 exclusive and limited units. The first Carmen Boulogne in the United States was delivered in 2022.

120 years later, and following in the wake of the successful Hispano Suiza, the great-grandson of the founder Miguel Suqué Mateu continues to preserve the brand, providing impetus and dynamism with a clear vocation for the future and permanence.

Press contact:

For more information about Hispano Suiza, please contact the press office: press@hispanosuizacars.com

February 19, 2024

Carmen Sagrera: Hispano Suiza unveils the first images of its new hypercar

  • Hispano Suiza shows its new hypercar for the first time in 12-second teaser.
  • Its large, exposed carbon fibre rear wing is a real statement of intent.
  • Sagrera is the third member of Hispano Suiza’s range of hypercars: it will arrive in June 2024 to coincide with the brand’s 120th anniversary.

Barcelona, 19th February 2024. Hispano Suiza has unveiled the first images of its new hypercar, the Carmen Sagrera, in a 12-second teaser video. It will be the third model in the company’s range of all-electric hypercars and is due to be unveiled in mid-2024, to mark the brand’s 120th anniversary.

The company’s new hypercar, designed by Francesc Arenas, will have a rear end dominated by a large exposed carbon fibre spoiler. This evolution, resulting from the technical team’s expertise – led by CTO Juan Fernández – gives the model an even sportier look, without compromising the hyperlux philosophy, a concept coined by Hispano Suiza when it launched the Carmen back in 2019.

This is in addition to the new 103 kW battery capacity, which will increase the overall driving range.

The new Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera expands the range of electrified hypercars and will be the ideal testimony to the 120-year history of the company founded by Damián Mateu and Mark Birkigt in Barcelona in 1904.

Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera, a nod to the company’s roots

Sagrera is a nod to Hispano Suiza’s roots: La Sagrera district of Barcelona was in fact the area where the company established its first large production factory.

The growing success of its models forced Hispano Suiza to move to La Sagrera, renowned for its booming industrial activity. In 1907 Hispano Suiza built there its first large factory which allowed the company to increase its production. It was located on Ribas road, where it came to occupy a surface area of 50,000 m2 and underwent two extensions to meet the growing market needs, employing 1,800 people.

Watch the new Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera teaser on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4O_7KWY7mwU

About Hispano Suiza:

Hispano Suiza is a historic Spanish automotive brand currently owned by the fourth generation of the Suqué Mateu family. Hispano Suiza Fábrica de Automóviles S.A. was founded in Barcelona in 1904 by Damián Mateu, with the help of the technical director and engineer Marc Birkigt, also a partner in the company. In 2024 Hispano Suiza will celebrate its 120th  anniversary, making it one of the brands with the longest legacy in the history of the automotive industry.

Between 1904 and 1946, Hispano Suiza produced more than 12,000 high-performance luxury cars and 50,000 aircraft engines. In 2019, the brand unveiled the Hispano Suiza Carmen, its fully electric “Hypercar”, and a year later, it would up the ante with the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne. In total there are 24 exclusive and limited units. The first Carmen Boulogne in the United States was delivered in 2022.

120 years later, and following in the wake of the successful Hispano Suiza, the great-grandson of the founder Miguel Suqué Mateu continues to preserve the brand, providing momentum and dynamism with a clear vision for the future of the company.

Press contact:

For more information about Hispano Suiza, please contact the press office: press@hispanosuizacars.com

February 7, 2024

Hispano Suiza presents its new online boutique

  • Hispano Suiza launches its online boutique: www.hispanosuiza.boutique.
  • The brand offers a range of premium products for sale, from clothing to accessories such as sunglasses and even a versatile work briefcase.
  • In 2024 a new collection inspired by the new corporate image will be presented.

Barcelona, February 7th, 2024. Hispano Suiza presents its new online boutique, www.hispanosuiza.boutique. The first collection, already available, is a careful selection of products that reflect the values of the brand, and at the same time, allow its followers to proudly wear the stork emblem.

Short-sleeved polo shirts in soft cotton piqué in Cava or Maroon colour; a classic white, French-collared shirt in cotton poplin with embroidered logo on the chest; a warm grey sports jumper with round neck are just some of the items already available in the Hispano Suiza online boutique. The product line is rounded off by a pair of exclusive coffee brown sunglasses and a versatile black briefcase in waterproof fabric, which can hold a laptop up to 15.6″ or tablet up to 10″ and also features a USB charging port.

A new Hispano Suiza Capsule Collection will be launched in mid-2024 and will reflect the brand’s new corporate image launched in April 2023. Hispano Suiza continues to expand its philosophy of experiencing “the pleasure of belonging to something unique” with its exclusive range of clothing and accessories.

About Hispano Suiza:

Hispano Suiza is a historic Spanish automotive brand currently owned by the fourth generation of the Suqué Mateu family. Hispano Suiza Fábrica de Automóviles S.A. was founded in Barcelona in 1904 by Damián Mateu, with the help of the technical director and engineer Marc Birkigt, also a partner in the company. In 2024 Hispano Suiza will celebrate its 120th anniversary, making it one of the brands with the longest legacy in the history of the automotive industry.


Between 1904 and 1946, Hispano Suiza produced more than 12,000 high-performance luxury cars and 50,000 aircraft engines. In 2019, the brand unveiled the Hispano Suiza Carmen, its fully electric “Hypercar”, and a year later, it would up the ante with the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne. In total there are 24 exclusive and limited units. The first Carmen Boulogne in the United States was delivered in 2022.


120 years later, and following in the wake of the successful Hispano Suiza, the great-grandson of the founder Miguel Suqué Mateu continues to preserve the brand, providing momentum and dynamism with a clear vision for the future of the company.

Press contact:

For more information about Hispano Suiza, please contact the press office: press@hispanosuizacars.com

The Pleasure of Feeling

Hispano Suiza is a brand designed for pleasure, to be enjoyed with all five senses. It is synonymous with experiences, like enjoying a wine from the Empordà while you pair it with one of a thousand cheeses that Toni Gerez works with at the Castell Perelada Restaurant. It is driving along the winding roads of the Costa Brava and getting the full potential of the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne on a circuit.

It is an experience that immerses you in the atelier and allows you to meet everyone who will make your dream hypercar a reality.

Hispano Suiza is, after all, an experience from start to finish.

However, we wanted the experience to start much earlier. We had to be able to transfer this explosion of sensations to the digital world through our best showcase: our website.


The corporate site is the window to the brand’s world. It’s the small hole in the wall through which we can see what’s happening inside. What Hispano Suiza is and what it wants to be. Therefore, creating a page representing us from start to finish was essential. We’ve developed a website that shared our spirit and conveyed our way of being and acting, enhancing the user experience.

“Kings of Mambo” understood the importance of this space and turned the website into an experience in itself. They transferred Hispano Suiza’s new brand image to the site, giving off a dynamic feel that transmits speed and luxury. Thus, anyone visiting our website can enjoy all the elements of our brand’s DNA: a brand in constant evolution.

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Carbon fiber: the most sought after material

If one thing stands out in the racing world, it’s the constant need to evolve and develop new products, techniques, and systems. Because for a vehicle to stand out from the rest and achieve victory, it needs to be faster, easier to drive and safer.

For this reason, the teams dedicate a large part of their resources (time, finance, and team) to strengthening their R&D department, which will be responsible for developing and improving the vehicles. In recent years, with the emergence of new technologies and the automation of many processes, these departments have developed new materials that have marked a turning point in the automotive sector.

One is carbon fiber, a material derived from the aeronautic sector. It is tremendously light but resistant, making it an indispensable part of the competition sector. Composed of fiber and resin yarns, carbon fiber has a relationship between its mechanical properties and its density that is very beneficial, making it a very desirable material for any vehicle.

Much of the development at Hispano Suiza comes directly from the racing sector. Our team has worked (and continues to work) in various automobile competitions, developing or applying new technologies to vehicles. These competitions work as a test bench for Hispano Suiza, applying these improvements to its hypercars, ensuring they are at the forefront of technology.


One of these improvements is using carbon fiber in the Hispano Suiza Carmen (and its later versions), which affects not only specific parts of the vehicle but the entire structure and its outer shell. A more than evident use in the case of the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne, which has an exposed fiber coating.


Carbon fiber is a very desirable material but very hard to use, as it requires a manual technique that high production runs can’t replicate. It can only be applied appropriately when the vehicles are treated with great care and seen as something more than a means of transport: a work of art, a collector’s item.

Hispano Suiza can use carbon fiber in all its hypercars because each vehicle is handmade and treated with the respect and care it deserves, ensuring every little detail so that the final result is a dream come true. Hispano Suiza’s philosophy is based on creating works of art, unique and unrepeatable pieces. That is why we claim the pleasure of belonging to something unique.


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November 23, 2023

Hispano Suiza reveals the name of its new car: Sagrera

  • The evolution of the Hispano Suiza Carmen will be called Sagrera, paying homage to one of the most important Hispano Suiza factories of the 20th century.
  • The Sagrera will arrive in 2024, coinciding with the 120th anniversary of the brand.
  • This model completes the Hispano Suiza range of hypercars joining the Carmen and the Carmen Boulogne.

Barcelona, 23rd November, 2023. The legend of Hispano Suiza doesn’t stop as the company continues its evolution as a manufacturer of fully electric hypercars. Founded in 1904 and set to celebrate its 120th anniversary next year, Hispano Suiza has revealed the name of its new vehicle: Sagrera. A name that, like Carmen or Boulogne, is deeply rooted in Hispano Suiza’s history. In 1911, pushed by the commercial success of its vehicles, Hispano Suiza moved to ‘La Sagrera’ district of Barcelona, an area renowned for its industrial activity, There it established the company’s first large factory to increase its production. It was located on Ribas road, where it came to occupy a surface area of 50,000 m2 and underwent two extensions to meet the growing market needs. The Hispano Suiza factory employed 1,800 people.

For Miguel Suqué Mateu, president of Hispano Suiza, “La Sagrera played an important role in the history of Hispano Suiza, contributing significantly to our growth as a company. Now, coinciding with our 120th anniversary, the time has come for us to pay tribute to La Sagrera and we will do so by proudly carrying the name of this Barcelona district around the world, thanks to our new hypercar”.

Sagrera, the pleasure of belonging to something unique

On a technical level, the Sagrera will incorporate the new 103kW battery that has already being tested on the Carmen Boulogne and will represent an important evolution in terms of aerodynamics.

About this new version, Sergio Martínez Campos, CEO of Hispano Suiza points out that “it is the result of the constant evolution of the Carmen and the Carmen Boulogne. It also lays the foundations for the design line that the brand will follow in the coming years. I can’t reveal too many details yet, but the Sagrera is here to continue fulfilling our clients’ wishes: they asked us a car like this, and to continue to be unique”.

In short, the Sagrera has been created to keep the legend alive, taking performance, sportiness and passion for luxury to a whole new level.

About Hispano Suiza:

Hispano Suiza is a historic Spanish automotive brand currently owned by the fourth generation of the Suqué Mateu family. Hispano Suiza Fábrica de Automóviles S.A. was founded in Barcelona in 1904 by Damián Mateu, with the help of the technical director and engineer Marc Birkigt, also a partner in the company. In 2024 Hispano Suiza will celebrate its 120th anniversary, making it one of the brands with the longest legacy in the history of the automotive industry.
Between 1904 and 1946, Hispano Suiza produced more than 12,000 high-performance luxury cars and 50,000 aircraft engines. In 2019, the brand unveiled the Hispano Suiza Carmen, its fully electric “Hypercar”, and a year later, it would up the ante with the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne. In total there are 24 exclusive and limited units. The first Carmen Boulogne in the United States was delivered in 2022.
120 years later, and following in the wake of the successful Hispano Suiza, the great-grandson of the founder Miguel Suqué Mateu continues to preserve the brand, providing momentum and dynamism with a clear vision for the future of the company.

Press contact:
For more information about Hispano Suiza, please contact the press office: press@hispanosuizacars.com

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December 21, 2021

10 things you didn’t know about Hispano Suiza

Barcelona, 21 December 2021. Hispano Suiza is much more than a car manufacturer, and this has been demonstrated throughout its more than 100 years of history. During this time, Hispano Suiza has become an important part of the Spanish and global automotive industry, creating exclusive, luxurious, reliable and technologically advanced vehicles. These values ​​remain in the new era of the company, which resurfaced in 2019 with the launch of Carmen and Carmen Boulogne, two electric hypercars delivering over 1000 HP which there will only be manufactured 24 units.

During the last century, Hispano Suiza has participated in numerous events, competitions and has also played an important role in the lives of its owners, including Alfonso XIII, King of Spain, who was truly passionate about the brand. This is just one of the almost unknown curiosities about the legendary company. Here is a list of 10 facts you most likely didn’t know about Hispano Suiza.

1 – More than 100 years of history

Hispano Suiza was founded on June 14, 1904 by Damián Mateu together with Francisco Seix and Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt, who had worked for two companies which had preceded Hispano Suiza: La Cuadra and J. Castro. Birkigt’s experience in the industry was key in laying the foundations for Hispano Suiza.

In 1905, Hispano Suiza created their first vehicle, the Armored Type Birkigt System, which was equipped with a four-cylinder engine and 20 CV of power, and which reached a top speed of 87 km/h. It was followed, a year later, by what would be the first car with a six-cylinder engine built in Spain, a model delivering 75 HP of power that completed the Perpignan-to-Paris route in 22 hours, a feat which received great media attention at the time.

2 – Hispano Suiza did not just produce cars throughout its history

During World War I, Hispano Suiza went from producing cars to manufacturing aircraft engines. It was a period of great success for the company: they applied their technological know-how in the manufacture and development of automotive engines to a new field, which brought them great benefits.

Birkigt built an aircraft engine that was based on a racing car engine, following the “direct drive” principle, with a V8 layout and aluminum alloy blocks to reduce weight. Hispano Suiza began to receive numerous orders, so many that they had to sell licenses to other manufacturers in France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, Japan and even Russia… In total, more than 50,000 Hispano Suiza engines were built.

Hispano Suiza aviation engines also found their place at sea. The most spectacular engine, a V12 delivering 1,300 HP, was mounted on a series of racing boats, including the so-called Aurora, built in 1935. Birkigt collaborated in the assembly of this boat, which was auctioned a few years ago for a figure close to a million euros.

3 – King Alfonso XIII

King Alfonso XIII played an important role in the early days of Hispano Suiza. The monarch was a car enthusiast, who instantly fell in love with the 20CV Hispano Suiza that he drove in in 1905. So much so that in 1910 he became a shareholder, purchasing 8% of the company shares. King Alfonso XIII also had a car named in his honor, a two-seater sportscar, with a 3,619 cc four-cylinder engine, delivering 60 HP, with a top speed 120 km / h. It was the Hispano-Suiza T45, better known as Hispano Suiza Alfonso XIII.

4 – A car for the elite

Thanks to the performance of its vehicles, which combined speed with lightness and amazing driving sensations, thanks to its luxury materials, the handcrafted to the highest quality standards, Hispano Suiza immediately rose to fame.

In addition to King Alfonso XIII, the vehicles of the Spanish brand were chosen by aristocrats, intellectuals and the most renowned artists in the world, such as Gustavo V of Sweden, Carlos II of Romania, Louis II of Monaco, Pablo Picasso, André Citroën, Coco Chanel, René Lacoste, Paul McCartney or Albert Einstein.

The history of Hispano Suiza cars has always been closely linked to clients with high purchasing power, an exquisite taste for luxury and an incalculable passion for the automotive world. Today, classic Hispano Suiza cars are preserved with great care in museums and private collections around the world.

5 – Hispano Suiza, not just a car but an asset of cultural interest

The Hispano Suiza 30-40 HP was an important model in the history of the brand, developed by Birkigt as a replacement for the 20-30 HP. Of all those produced, there a very special unit was custom-built  for the Marquis of Zayas and bodied by Francisco Capella.

This model used noble woods and materials such as ivory and silver. The steering wheel was positioned to the right, as it was customary then, and featured mahogany details, ivory handles, beveled glass, automatic blinds, fine cushioned upholstered seats, a perfume diffuser, vases and numerous details that underlined the elegance and exclusivity of the car. It was an Hispano Suiza made to measure.

The model, after all cars once belonging to the Marquis of Zayas were auctioned, was acquired by the Spanish Home Office which declared it an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1988, being the first car to achieve this status,  which is normally granted to monuments and works of art. The vehicle was then displayed in the Museum of Automotive History located in Salamanca (Spain).

6 – The stork

Hispano Suiza’s emblem, the stork, is a nod to the company’s heritage as a manufacturer of aircraft engines. The brand decided to feature it in all its models to pay tribute to Georges Guynemer, a French fighter ace, who had a stork painted on the fuselage of its fighter jet during World War I, powered by an Hispano Suiza engine.

In 1919, the silver stork accompanied the new Hispano Suiza H6B in its presentation at the Geneva Motor Show and, since then, it featured in all the brand’s models, accompanied by the flags of Spain and Switzerland. 100 years later, the stork flew again at Carmen’s presentation, once again at the Geneva Motorshow.

7 – Carmen

Carmen is the name that Hispano Suiza has given to the vehicle with which it made its comeback to the world of automotive manufacturing. It is a model that has already made history; the most technologically advanced that has been designed, manufactured and developed in Spain. The choice of the name is not a mere coincidence: it is a tribute to Mrs. Carmen Mateu, granddaughter of Damián Mateu – founder of the company – and mother of the current president of Hispano Suiza, Miguel Suqué Mateu.

“The name Carmen is a tribute to our mother. When we were debating what to name the new vehicle, we immediately thought of Carmen and the family loved it ”, declared Miguel Suqué Mateu. “She always told me that she wanted to see Hispano Suiza roaring on the streets again, and I am sure that she would be very proud of it. The signature on the back of the vehicle is her original signature.”

The ‘last name’ Boulogne, which is used for the more powerful version of Carmen, is not a coincidence either. It is a tribute to the victories achieved by the Hispano Suiza H6 Coupé in the Georges Boillot Cup, held in the French town of Boulogne-sur-Mer a century ago.

8 – A car made to race

The Hispano Suiza Carmen and Carmen Boulogne have been developed on the racing circuits. For the creation of this very special model, which was presented at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, Hispano Suiza had the backing of QEV Technologies, a motorsport company that built the first car that went on to win the drivers’ title in the Formula E championship.

Thus the Hispano Suiza Carmen’s dream performance, typical of a racing car. Its 1,019 CV of power – 1,114 CV in the Boulogne version – and its less than three seconds of acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h, make it one of the most powerful and fastest road cars in the world.

9 – Hispano Suiza has a former F1 driver in their team

After completing the design and manufacturing process, Hispano Suiza handed over the steering wheel to a former Formula 1 driver: Luis Pérez-Sala. Pérez-Sala has been in charge of developing the model on the track and on the road since the Hispano Suiza comeback was announced, and has worked to ensure that the select group of owners of the new Hispano Suiza feel like racing drivers.

In addition to Pérez Sala, Pablo Suárez, an experienced rally and rallycross driver with training as a motorsport engineer, also participated in the development process, bearing witness to the creation of an authentic work of art on wheels.

10 – The opportunity to create the car of your dreams

Each Hispano Suiza Carmen is unique. Thanks to the brand’s Unique Tailormade programme, customers have access to a wide variety of options to create the model they have dreamed of all their life. There are 1,904 possible combinations, so no two Hispano Suiza are alike.

Clients can choose between three main configurations that reflect the key values ​​of the brand’s DNA – Elegance, Heritage and Sport – and, based on these, they can choose different colours and materials for the interior and exterior of their car, to add a personal touch to the design and adapt it to their individual tastes.

Media Contacts:

For more information about Hispano Suiza, please contact the press office: press@hispanosuizacars.com

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September 30, 2021

Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este

  • Hispano Suiza will be present at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, which will be held from October 1st to 3rd on the shores of Lake Como, in Italy.
  • The Spanish brand will exhibit its most extreme electric hypercar, the Carmen Boulogne, which will be included in the prototype category

Lake Como, September 30, 2021 – Hispano Suiza continues to attract attention and admirers during its European tour thanks to the Carmen and Carmen Boulogne, the fully electric hypercars with which the brand has come back to life and elevates the concept of luxury and high performance to its maximum power. After taking part in the iconic Salon Privé in the UK, the IAA Mobility in Germany and the St. Moritz International Automobile Week & Motorsport Rendezvous in Switzerland over the past few weeks, Hispano Suiza is now heading to Italy to participate in the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este.

For one weekend a year, this time from October 1st  to the 3rd , the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este becomes the centre of attention in the world of luxury cars. Located in an idyllic setting on the shores of Lake Como and surrounded by mountains, Villa d’Este has been the chosen scenario of Concorso d’Eleganza since 1929, an event that brings together all kinds of vehicles with the concept of luxury and elegance as a common nexus.

Hispano Suiza will take part in the concours with its striking Carmen Boulogne. Designed, developed and manufactured in Barcelona, the Carmen Boulogne is the maximum representation of exclusivity. With a design characterised by sportiness and timeless elegance, the Carmen Boulogne integrates the exclusive legacy of the brand in an ultra- modern, fully electric vehicle delivering no less than 1,114 HP of power. Its name pays tribute to the victories of Hispano Suiza in the Georges Boillot Cup race, held near the French town of Boulogne, and its carbon fibre exterior finish combined with its cutting-edge technology make it a true work of art on wheels.

The Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne will be part of the prototype category of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and is set to become one of the great attractions of the show, which is usually held in May and that, due to COVID-19, has been delayed until today.

Francesc Arenas, Design Director of Hispano Suiza said: “We are delighted to participate in such an iconic event as the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este with our Carmen Boulogne. Design has always been a differentiating element for Hispano Suiza, and it continues to be so today in the new models of the brand. When designing the Carmen and the Boulogne, we tried to combine the worlds of luxury and high performance, just as it happened with our historic models. The exterior of Carmen, in fact, is inspired by the late 1930s Xenia Dubonnet. In its most radical version, the Carmen Boulogne, the extensive use of carbon fibre pays tribute to Hispano Suiza motorsport heritage. We are sure that it will not leave anyone indifferent! “

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September 21, 2021

Hispano Suiza Carmen: stars on the red carpet at Salón Privé

  • Hispano Suiza will be present at Salón Privé, which takes place from the 1st till the 5th of September at  Blenheim Palace with its iconic hyperarc: the Hispano Suiza Carmen.
  • The all-electric hypercar makes its official UK debut at a legendary event, where exclusivity, luxury and elegance go side by side to offer a unique week in the automotive world.

Blenheim Palace, 1 September 2021 – The Hispano Suiza Carmen is not only a fully electric vehicle delivering outstanding performance thanks to a power output of 1,019 HP. The hypercar that heralded the return of the Spanish company to the automotive world represents technological excellence, high performance and luxury raised to its maximum power. And that is why it will be present, from today until September 5, at one of the most glamorous events in the automotive sector, Salón Privé.

Undoubtedly one of the unmissable appointments on the British social calendar for all lovers of the world of motoring and luxury, Salón Privé has been chosen for the UK debut of the Hispano Suiza Carmen. During the 5-day show, the luxurious and exclusive vehicle will be on display in the breath-taking gardens of Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Britain’s greatest Palace.

Designed, developed and manufactured in Barcelona, ​​the Hispano Suiza Carmen is the highest representation of the values ​​of exclusivity and elegance that Salón Privé transmits. With a design characterised by sportiness and timeless elegance, the Carmen combines the exclusive legacy of the brand in a modern hyper-luxury vehicle and will be one of the main stars of the show, where you can find authentic treasures of the present, past and future. of the automotive industry.

In addition to getting to know the new Hispano Suiza Carmen first-hand, those attending Salón Privé will have the opportunity to discover the latest news from various international manufacturers and enjoy the more than 100 vehicles on display, including cars and motorcycles, at the exclusive Concours d’Elegance. This year, rally legend Richard Burns will be honored with a collection of his racing cars on the 20th anniversary of his historic WRC victory.

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July 15, 2021

Carmen, the inspiration behind the most advancedHispano Suiza of all times

  • Carmen Mateu was the granddaughter of Damián Mateu, founder of Hispano Suiza, and the mother of the current Chairman of the company.
  • She was Chairman of Hispano Suiza from 1972 till 2000, and a great promoter of music, culture and entertainment through the Peralada Festival, which she founded with her husband in 1987. This year the Festival celebrates its 35th anniversary.
  • Her amazing figure has served as inspiration for the launch of Carmen, the first Hispano Suiza of the new era.

Barcelona, ​​15 July 2021. Hispano Suiza Carmen represents technological excellence, high performance and luxury raised to its maximum power. In short, it is the most advanced vehicle ever created in our country. A model of such depth had to bear the name of a key figure in the history of the brand: Carmen Mateu. A tribute to the pursuit of dreams, to the infinite love for culture and art, and to the promotion of talent and our country within and outside our borders.
 
The rebirth of the Hispano Suiza brand bears the name of “Carmen”, a choice that was not merely coincidental, but quite the opposite: it is a name that perfectly embodies what the company and its products stand for. Carmen Mateu Quintana was born on February 21, 1936 in Barcelona, ​​she was the daughter of Miguel Mateu i Pla, who throughout his long and distinguished career, was Mayor of Barcelona, ​​Chairman of La Caixa bank and Ambassador in Paris. Miguel, in turn, was the son of Damián Mateu, a successful businessman, who in 1904 had founded Hispano Suiza together with Marc Birkigt.
 
Carmen lived through the end of the first era of Hispano Suiza, a brand she was extremely fond of, and that revolutionised the incipient automobile industry in our country, building more than 12,000 luxury cars between 1904 and 1946. The family also acquired the Peralada Castle (near Girona, Spain) in 1923: an imposing 14th-century construction, today it serves as the Peralada Group headquarters, headed by the Suqué Mateu family. Surrounded by immense gardens of almost 77,000 m2, designed by the architect François Duvilliers, and flanked by two 14th-century towers, the Peralada Castle hosts a majestic collection of books, ceramics and works of art.
 
With such a heritage, it is not surprising that Carmen was infected with an indomable passion for music, culture and art. She studied art and decoration, and she devoted herself to it throughout her life. In 1957 she married businessman Arturo Suqué, who eventually became Chairman of the Peralada Group, the holding that controls all the companies controlled by the family, including Hispano Suiza.
 
Driven by their love for music and entertainment, Carmen and her husband launched the Peralada Festival in 1987, held since then in the surroundings of the Peralada Castle and which has become a national and international reference for ballet and classical music. The Peralada Summer nights  have been immersed in culture for over 30 years,  thanks to outstanding opera productions, symphonic concerts, ballet, jazz and pop concerts that led the Peralada Festival to become a member of the European Festivals Association in 1992 and later of Opera Europe in 2010.

Artists such as Plácido Domingo, Josep Carreras, Montserrat Caballé, Ainhoa ​​Arteta, Alfredo Kraus, Paco de Lucía, Joaquín Cortés, Antonio Canales, Sara Baras, Miguel Bosé, Alejandro Sanz and Miguel Poveda have all perfomed on the Peralada Castle stage. In 2011 Joan Manuel Serrat, gave an emotional symphonic concert to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Festival. Among the operas represented on the Peralada stage are Turandot and La Bohème, by Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi´s La Traviata, and Don Giovanni, by Mozart. This year the Peralada Festival celebrates its 35th edition this summer with an amazing line-up.
 
Carmen Mateu established herself throughout her life as a promoter of the musical arts, thus continuing the family legacy. Thanks to the love and passion for all the forms of art that her father had instilled in her from her early years, she really put Peralada – a small village of 1,800 inhabitants-  on the map and converted it into an international point of artistic reference. “My father left us a legacy: Peralada – she said in one of the rare interviews she gave – He liked music and this is a town of musical culture. He used to tell me: You have to do something! You have the place and the space, you have to dedicate it to whoever can enjoy it and reinvest in culture ”, so this is how the Festival was born.
 
When he passed away, in 2018, the 32nd edition of the Peralada Festival dedicated in his honor a performance of Verdi’s Requiem, by the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra and the National Orchestra of Catalonia. Throughout her life, Carmen Mateu received numerous awards, including the Gold Medal of the Cercle del Liceu, the Cruz de Sant Jordi or the Gold Medal of Merit for Fine Arts.


 Her legacy lives on in every Hispano Suiza
 
The figure of Carmen is still very present in the new era of Hispano Suiza. She and her husband were in charge of transmitting the family values to their three children – Miguel, Isabel and Javier . Just as Carmen wanted to turn Peralada into am international point of reference, where the best artists performed and the best works where shown, today it is Hispano Suiza which elevates luxury, performance and excellence to a higher level, with the aim to entice car lovers and collectors all over the world.
 
Carmen Mateu, like the rest of the family, maintained the incessant desire to bring Hispano Suiza back to life. She was Chairman of the company between 1972 – after the death of her father, Miquel Mateu i Pla – and 2000, when she handed over the presidency to her son, Miguel Suqué Mateu, who currently heads the company.
 
Almost two decades later, a new Hispano Suiza was born to take the automobile industry by storm, featuring new technologies and producing the most advanced vehicles in the world.
 
“Hispano Suiza is the only brand that is still in the hands of a family today. For four generations we have preserved the Hispano Suiza brand, which is closely linked with the Suqué Mateu family”, said Miguel Suqué Mateu, Chairman of Hispano Suiza, son of Carmen Mateu and Artur Suqué and great-grandson of Damián Mateu, founder of the brand.

“The name Carmen is a tribute to our mother. When we were debating what we should name the vehicle, we thought about Carmen and the family loved it. She always told me that she wanted to see a Hispano Suiza on the streets again, and I am sure that now she will be proud of it. The signature on the back of the vehicle is her original signature. “
 
In March 2019, the new vehicle that brought the brand back to life was launched at the Geneva Motor Show: the Hispano Suiza Carmen, an electric hypercar delivering 1,019 HP of power, was designed, developed and manufactured in Barcelona. and only 19 units will be produced. Five of them will be in its most extreme version, called Carmen Boulogne, which raises its power to 1,114 hp.
 
It is a worthy tribute to the figure of a woman who put all her efforts to uphold the family’s legacy, with elegance and honor, and who fulfilled the dream of sharing her passion with the rest of the world.
 

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