Hispano Suiza is a nameplate that goes back more than a century. Over that time, the brand has faced a number of challenges and triumphs but perhaps none have felt as sweet as the release of its all-new all-electric supercar, the Carmen The very first production unit to make it to America was just delivered at Amelia Island.
It wasn’t just the regular Carmen (if that can even be a thing since it makes 1,005-horsepower (739 kW) either. No, this was a Carmen Boulogne, the top trim, with 1,114-horsepower (819 kW). It’s one of just five production units that will be made, each starting from €1.65 million (or about US$1.8 million at the current exchange rate) and one of just 19 total Carmens that Hispano Suiza plans to produce.
That makes it one of the most exclusive cars on sale today and each one is highly customizable. This one was finished in a paint color Hispano Suiza calls Ocean Song Rose, a hue that nods to the new owner’s favorite flower. If that sounds decidedly un-supercar-like to you, consider just how much the Carmen Boulogne bucks recent trends.
The name Carmen refers to the granddaughter of the company’s founder and the mother of the current president. The script used on the rear of the car is designed to mimic her signature. Boulogne refers to the location of Hispano Suiza’s greatest racing successes.
The big gaping grille at the front isn’t exactly in keeping with other EVs these days either. In the Carmen, it’s totally functional though as it directs air through radiators that keep the powertrain cool. Instead of using one motor per wheel or per axle, Hispano Suiza uses four motors on the rear axle alone.
Maximum efficiency and long-range aren’t exactly the focus of this supercar. The brand says that it’s aiming for a maximum range of around 250 miles (402 km) under Europe’s WLTP testing protocol. It also charges at a maximum of just 80 kW. For comparison, the Kia EV6 can charge at well beyond 200 kW.
Only for show and tell
The Carmen isn’t designed for US homologation so each and every example that comes over here will be registered under the ‘show and display’ exemption. Still, we’re excited that any have made it to this side of the pond. What do you think of this new Hispano Suiza? Let us know below.
PHOTO GALLERY
Keyword: Hispano Suiza Is Officially Back In The USA After Its First Delivery This Weekend