Hispano Suiza, the Spanish manufacturer with a history going back to 1904, has launched a second model as a follow-up to its Carmen all-electric hypercar which debuted last year. The new model is the Carmen Boulogne, a sportier evolution of the Carmen, and it also fully electric.
The current plan is to build only 5 units for sale, each priced from 1.65 million euros (about RM8.2 million) and take approximately 12 months to complete. 14 units of the Carmen will be available, with the first unit to be delivered in 2022.
A name from 1921
The ‘Boulogne’ name dates back to 1921, when Hispano Suiza made a racing version of its high-performance H6 Coupe and entered it in the George Boillot Cup, an endurance race lasting more than 3½ hours around the French city of Boulogne. There, Hispano Suiza achieved three consecutive victories with its H6. The Carmen Boulogne pays tribute to these historic motorsport victories
Its powertrain produces 1,114 ps – 95 ps more than the Carmen – and it can go from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 2.6 seconds, with a maximum speed limited to 290 km/h. Its weight of 1,630 kgs is 60kgs less than the Carmen, achieved by optimisation of structural elements such as the suspension and carbonfibre subframe. There are also new CNC parts and a carbonfibre roof, among other things.
Visible carbonfibre bodyshell
The entire carbonfibre bodyshell of the Carmen Boulogne is visible under a clear varnish that emphasizes its sportiness and preserves the timeless elegance of this model. It sports the same semi-circular headlights and aggressive ‘scowl’ as the Carmen, with the difference of an imposing copper-coloured grille.
The five customers can fully customize the model with the assistance of the brand’s ‘Unique Tailormade’ department. The sleek interior features suede or black Alcantara on the bulkhead and door panels.
The Carmen Boulogne is powered by four permanent-magnet synchronous motors, two on each rear wheel. The torque of each engine is controlled through sophisticated vectoring systems developed in-house with the expertise gained in Formula E.
1,600 Nm of torque from standstill
From 0 to 6,500 rpm, the engines are capable of generating up to 1,600 Nm of torque, allowing for the sizzling acceleration. The lithium-ion polymer battery pack that provides ‘fuel’ has a capacity of 80 kWh and is claimed to enable driving range of up to 400 kms.
The batteries are designed and produced in-house, including a complete temperature control system to ensure that the cells can operate optimally. The fast-charging capability at more than 80 kW DC is said to require 30 minutes to charge 30 – 80%.
