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Hispano Suiza makes a comback at Geneva Motor Show

By Matt Brogan |

Reviving a name that once adorned some of the world’s most pricey and sought-after cars, Hispano Suiza has staged a comeback at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.

Certain not to break with its expensive heritage, the limited-volume Swiss model has a list price of 700,000 Euro (AUD$1,057,450), and while that may seem excessive, it’s worth noting that the new Hispano Suiza is based on Audi R8 underpinnings that theselves cost 163,210 Euro (AUD$246,550).

But this is more than a body-on-chassis transplant, the donor Audi R8 is completely disassembled, stretched, refitted with new, bespoke suspension and a completely new interior then covered with new custom made body panels – every last one of them different to the R8.

The Hispano Suiza is designed by Erwin Leo Himmel who has previously sculpted cars for Audi, Volkswagen and Fuore, and is made entirely from carbon fibre.

Riding on 22-inch centre-lock forged aluminium-titanium alloy wheels, the Hispano Suiza is shod with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tyres (275/25 – front & 295/25 – rear).

Under the bonnet the Hispano Suiza features an 5.2-litre Audi V10 engine, modified by Motoren Technik Mayer (MTM). The engine is fitted with two electric superchargers, that along with some other modifications, see a total output of 551kW/699Nm.

Power is delivered to all-four wheels via a choice of six-speed manual or DSG transmissions that sees the car race from standstill to 100km/h is just 3.4 seconds. The top speed is 340km/h.

Plans are already underway for a hybrid version that will feature a 112kW electric motor (to drive the front wheels) for a total combined power output of 662kW. A convertible versions is also said to be on the way.

Hispano Suiza will build up to 50 cars per year and are now taking orders with a lead time of six months.


 
  • Jonno

    This thing is an eye sore and should not be allowed on the roads

  • Mikey

    Apart from the tacky additions to the side intakes & the lower front intakes it looks good :)

  • Will

    Reminds me of an early 70\’s CSL Beemer. Think I will stick to R8 on which it was based.

  • ABMPSV

    Hispano-Suiza was originally a Spanish (and then Spanish-French) luxury automotive and engineering firm—actually, from 1923 on, two different companies—best known for their cars, engines (including world famous aviation engines) and weapons designs in the pre-World War II period.
    After World War I Hispano-Suiza returned to automobile engine design and, in 1919, introduced the H6, earning them a reputation even greater than that of Rolls-Royce in England. Indeed, Rolls-Royce featured many Hispano-Suiza patented features, under licence. More info on Wikipedia

  • Shak

    Rather put my money on a much better looking R8, because i know the company will be around to service my car in the next ten years. BTW why did they have to make a comback ,because no one bought their older cars before and no one will know.

  • Baddass

    Hispano Suiza was a popular maker of luxurious cars, and was only killed off due to the Great Depression. It is a rather silly thing to say no one bought their earlier cars, but I agree the new one may struggle to sell.

  • Anton

    I must say I agree with the sentiments.
    Hispano-Suiza was the pre-eminent luxury marque of the interwar years and matched its mystique with engineering substance and innovation.
    One must however wonder whether a revival with that sort of product will be successful. Why do so many of these revivals aim for success with a ‘supercar’ product. Would Hispano not have been wiser to look to their Grande Routiere past for inspiration?