Inside the 1100 horsepower Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera

Hispano Suiza marks its 120th anniversary with the world premiere of the Sagrera, the third hypercar in the Carmen range. This new model boasts an updated design, featuring a large stork-wing shaped rear spoiler and new interiors that redefine the Gentleman Driver concept. Equipped with second-generation 103kWh batteries, the Carmen Sagrera offers a driving range of up to 480 km (WLTP).

For the worldwide reveal, the Sagrera is presented in a Cava Gold tone, chosen for its rich nuances evoking the wine culture ingrained in the Perelada Group’s DNA, owned by the Suqué Mateu family, which also holds Hispano Suiza. A matte finish that varies with the light, a first in the Carmen range, perfectly balances elegance and sportiness.

The evolution of the Sagrera’s front-end design boldly embraces its sporty character, with a pointed grille shape paying homage to the luxurious Hispano Suiza Alfonso XIII sports cars of the early 20th century. Redesigned front bonnet vents enhance both aesthetics and functionality, now flowing seamlessly with the rear ones. New side sills gracefully rise along the car’s profile, complementing the rear panel’s design.

Francesc Arenas, head of design at Hispano Suiza, explained that his team aimed “to uphold the brand’s sporty legacy, drawing inspiration from iconic designs such as the Alfonso XIII and from the original Gentleman Driver concept. I dare say that with the Sagrera, we have refined the concept of sportiness, while maintaining our tradition of excellence and setting the stage for future designs, fulfilling the desires of our customers.”

The rear-end underwent significant design and aerodynamic changes, highlighted by the addition of a large spoiler resembling stork wings, a tribute to the brand’s logo. This divided spoiler optimizes aerodynamics, seamlessly blending solid-painted side panels with carbon fibre, while the diffuser, integrated with copper accents in Boulogne style, enhances both aerodynamics and design, adding elegance and tradition. These aerodynamic enhancements significantly increase downforce and grip, improving cornering and lateral acceleration capabilities. Inside, the sporty ambience continues, with a redesigned centre console and infotainment system, upholstered in alcantara with black and red leather details, emphasizing exclusivity and quality.

The Sagrera features four 205 kW (around 275 hp) motors, delivering a combined power output of 1,100 hp and 1,160 Nm of torque, with a 0 to 100 km/h time of just 2.6 seconds. The motors are axial-flux permanent magnet and connected in series: two on the left rear wheel and two on the right. The transmission transfers power to the rear axle and features a virtual self-locking differential, ensuring optimal track performance and efficient torque transfer to the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres. Developed in collaboration with Michelin’s technical centre, these tyres boast a unique design inspired by the storks and mosaics of legendary Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, further enhancing the vehicle’s exclusivity.

The Sagrera’s suspension system, designed based on extensive dynamic simulations, delivers racing-level performance. Both axles feature a deformable parallelogram suspension with adjustable shock absorbers for compression and extension settings, along with coil springs adjustable in hardness and height. This setup is complemented by an anti-roll bar linking both sides. Hispano Suiza’s engineers have crafted lightweight suspension wishbones and axle shafts from a special military-grade material, which is up to eight times stronger than conventional steel. Aerospace and racing-grade bolts ensure bulletproof fastening.

The Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera incorporates the brand’s second generation of batteries, with a total capacity of 103 kWh, bringing the total range to 480 km according to the WLTP cycle. In addition to the new cells, the Carmen Sagrera features an improved cooling system that is lighter, less complex, and made from more sustainable materials. This results in more effective temperature control and lower energy consumption. The battery’s central T-shaped position also improves the car’s weight distribution and dynamic performance.

The Sagrera also features an advanced braking system. Single-block brake calipers provide superior rigidity and improved braking feel while reducing weight by 500 grams. The car is equipped with 400mm carboceramic discs on both axles, capable of withstanding the intense braking demands of racetrack conditions and extended runs without fatigue. Following its worldwide premiere, the Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera will travel to the UK for its dynamic debut on the iconic hillclimb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in mid-July.