Hispano Switzerland is a luxury car brand with a splendid past full of history and automotive successes. Created in 1904, it turns 120 in 2024 and the brand continues to exhibit unusual technological potential. Of course, in a dropper. The brand founded by the Suqué Mateu family manufactured more than 12,000 high-performance automobiles between 1904 and 1946 and 50,000 airplane engines.
Within the framework of the Mobile World Congress, this Barcelona firm has presented a simulator that allows you to live the experience of driving a Carmen Boulogne, the 100% electric hypercar from Hispano Switzerland, on a route that emulates the historic urban circuit of Montjuïc. And one of the first to be able to try it was King Felipe VI himself during his visit to the fair.
This project is part of “Remember the future”, MWCapital’s proposal at MWC Barcelona, ??which this year addresses reindustrialization to show how technology and innovation are shaping the future of key sectors.
The first virtual driving simulator has had the collaboration of former F1 driver Luis Pérez Sala, who acts as brand ambassador. Pérez Sala spoke with Moveo about the project: “I think it is a great success, and a historic wink, to have chosen the Montjuïc circuit for this simulator.” And he added, “the experience is really shocking because of the fidelity it transmits. With the same steering wheel as the real car, the sensations are absolutely real.”
In fact, the “pilot” of the simulator experiences the sensations of driving an electric car with more than 1,000 HP, with brutal acceleration and braking capable of moving the seat.
The initiative has been presented by the CEO of Hispano Switzerland, 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, in addition to commenting on details of the connection of both entities for this unique project.
In 2019, Hispano Switzerland presented the Carmen, a 100% electric supercar with an approximate price of 1.8 million euros. With 1,020 HP from the two electric motors and all-wheel drive, its peculiar carbon fiber body measures 4.73 meters in length. Made by hand and with very luxurious materials, the Carmen’s design was inspired by the 1938 H6C Dubonnet Xenia model.
In 2022 Hispano Switzerland launched Carmen Boulogne, an evolution of the even more powerful and exclusive Carmen. The combined power this time reached 1,114 HP, with an 80 kWh battery and a maximum speed of 290 km/h. The price was already approaching 2 million euros and the first unit was delivered to a wealthy client in the United States.
The latest evolution of the Carmen is an exclusive track car that bears the name Hispano Switzerland Carmen Sagrera. This virtually hand-built supercar features an upgraded 103 kW battery with a range of 500 km.
In total, the prestigious firm is going to produce 24 limited edition units, the manufacturing of which takes between 9 and 12 months. In addition, the Hispano Switzerland Unique Tailor Made program allows each client exclusive customization, ending up configuring a practically unique car.