Hispano Suiza has long been synonymous with luxury, performance, and timeless design. The Carmen Sagrera, a stunning hypercar unveiled in June 2024 to commemorate the brand’s 120th anniversary, embodies these ideals and propels them into the future. With an exhilarating 1,114 hp output from its four electric motors, the Carmen Sagrera accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in a blistering 2.6 seconds, offering an unparalleled driving experience. But this extraordinary performance is just one aspect of the Carmen Sagrera’s allure. Its creation is a delicate balance of cutting-edge technology, bespoke design, and masterful craftsmanship. This is how the Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera comes to life in five meticulous stages.
Phase 1: Pre-Assembly and Battery Production
The journey begins long before the first part is even touched. For a car as exclusive as the Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera, the process starts with collaboration. As each vehicle is tailored to its future owner, the design team works closely with the client, ensuring the car is crafted to match their unique tastes. The customer’s specifications guide the creation of a truly bespoke hypercar, where no two units are alike.
The first steps of the assembly process see the pre-assembly of crucial components, such as the front and rear subframes, suspension systems, axle shafts, and interior dashboard. The steering system is installed on the front subframe, while the rear subframe houses the support for the inverters and propulsion system. Each component is carefully tested and calibrated on a dynamometer to guarantee optimal performance.
Simultaneously, work begins on the heart of the Carmen Sagrera—the 103 kWh battery pack. Built in-house, this innovative battery provides the model with an impressive driving range of up to 480 km. The high-voltage wiring necessary for the car’s electrical systems is also being produced during this phase.
Phase 2: Assembly of the Carbon-Fibre Monocoque
With the major components ready, the focus shifts to the heart of the car’s structure: the carbon-fibre monocoque. Each body element is meticulously installed by hand, ensuring a flawless fit and finish. Precision is paramount as the various pieces come together, each one contributing to the vehicle’s lightweight strength and aerodynamic efficiency.
At this stage, certain interior elements are also put in place. The foundation of the Carmen Sagrera’s stunning appearance and performance is now taking shape, ready for the next phase.
Phase 3: Painting, Upholstery, and Rolling Chassis Assembly
As the car nears its physical form, the next step involves a painstaking process of customization. The exterior is painted in the colour chosen by the customer from an expansive palette, a decision that ensures every Carmen Sagrera is as unique as its owner. The painting process, carried out by skilled Hispano Suiza technicians, is an art in itself, highlighting the brand’s commitment to perfection. The final treatment of the body parts, giving the car its radiant finish, is done with the utmost care.
Simultaneously, the rolling chassis begins to take shape. The suspension system, brakes, wheels, and the front and rear subframes are installed, bringing the vehicle one step closer to functionality. Inside, the upholstery team begins cutting and sewing the finest materials, whether it be Alcantara or leather, tailored to the owner’s preferences.
Phase 4: Final Assembly and Infotainment Integration
With the chassis and body assembled, the attention turns to the finer details. The final assembly of the Carmen Sagrera includes the installation of its high-tech infotainment system and all comfort features. The interior is polished to perfection, with every adjustment made to create an immersive and luxurious driving environment.
The exterior is completed with the addition of iconic emblems and logos, with the stork symbol proudly featured as the signature of Hispano Suiza. It is now more than a car; it is an expression of the brand’s legacy and a tribute to the pursuit of excellence.
Phase 5: Final Validation and Hand Over
The final phase of the Carmen Sagrera’s creation is its validation. This crucial step ensures that every component functions in harmony, from the battery to the motors, from the infotainment to the braking system. After months of meticulous work, the vehicle is taken on a thorough test drive, both on the road and at the renowned Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (Montmeló), just a stone’s throw from Hispano Suiza’s headquarters. It’s here, in the heart of Spain, that the car’s performance is verified under the watchful eyes of the brand’s engineers.
Once the car has passed its rigorous checks, it is delivered to its new owner, who will be able to experience the culmination of more than 120 years of automotive excellence. The Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera is not just a hypercar; it is a masterpiece, crafted to offer an unrivaled driving experience.
The Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera is more than a machine; it is a fusion of tradition and innovation, of luxury and performance, of craftsmanship and technology. Its creation is a testament to the company’s dedication to producing not just cars, but works of art on wheels. From the first sketch to the final test drive, every step in the process is an ode to the brand’s rich history and bright future. And for the fortunate few who will drive it, the Carmen Sagrera promises an unforgettable experience, one that only a true gentleman driver can appreciate.
