Cars You Should Know: Hispano Suiza Carmen

Owned by royalty, invested in aviation, and a respected vehicle manufacturer for over 100 years. Who has this kind of track record? 

Hispano Suiza does. The Spanish vehicle manufacturing mogul began a run with luxury vehicles in 1905 by founder Damián Mateu. Nearly 117 years later the family-owned company is still the chosen luxury vehicle of celebrities, artists, politicians, and collectors for its elegance, top tier design, and reliability. 

Hispano Suiza hasn’t gone without massive innovation in their elaborate history of luxury vehicle manufacturing. In 2019 the company reemerged after 80 years of dormancy as an innovative giant with the new versions of the Carmen and Carmen Boulogne, two of the most anticipated electric hypercars with over 1000 HP and highly coveted with manufacturing halting at 24 units.  

Where It All Began - A Brief History  

Hispano Suiza (translated to Spanish Swiss) was founded in 1904 by Damián Mateu and Swiss engineer Mark Birkigt. The culmination of the company began with the combination of two companies: La Cudra and J. Castro.

The first vehicle in production was the Armored Type Birkigt System, a four-cylinder 20 CV powered vehicle reaching speeds of 87 km/h. Six years later the first six-cylinder vehicle originating from Spain was reveled from the company. At the time, Hispano Suiza was a well-established brand for high-performance vehicles, but as World War I quickly approached, the company would take a right turn and begin manufacturing something completely different: aircraft engines.

Hispano-Suiza Aviation Engine. (Photo: Griff Wason Art & Illustration.)

In total, the efforts of Hispano Suiza created over 50,000 aircraft engines for war efforts. The aircraft engines were based from race car models with a Birkigt style V8 layout and aluminum ally blocks that made the engines light weight, efficient and incredibly effective. 

By the start of World War II Hispano Suiza had established itself as one Europe’s leading performance luxury brands on top of their aviation masterpieces. Inventory included 12,000 units of models including the stately H6 Coupe, and  elegant K models. The brand quickly became the staple luxury car of the era’s leading authors receiving mentions in Agatha Christie, P.G. Woodhouse, and Evelyn Wright novels. 

The New Kids on the Block - The Carmen and Carmen Boulogne 

The Carmen Boulogne 

Dating back to conceptual design in 1921, the Carmen Boulogne’s roots run deep from the George Boillot Cup where Hispano Suiza was a main competitor showcasing the H6 Coupe. Today, the Carmen Boulogne is quite possible the most coveted and exclusive electric hyper-car on the market. Not only is the Carmen Boulogne a top-performing vehicle in its class, it is one of the most exclusive designs of our time.  

Despite the long absence in the market, Hispano Suiza’s long awaited Carmen and Carmen Boulogne upgrades served to be an iconic masterpiece in recent years. This goes to show that rapid reproduction doesn’t always mean more success for a company. Dating back to the early days in automotive history, Hispano Suiza continues to wow and impress car enthusiasts 100 years later.  

Motor History Collective

Hispano Suiza (translated to Spanish Swiss) was founded in 1904 by Damián Mateu and Swiss engineer Mark Birkigt. The culmination of the company began with the combination of two companies: La Cudra and J. Castro.  

The first vehicle in production was the Armored Type Birkigt System, a four-cylinder 20 CV powered vehicle reaching speeds of 87 km/h. Six years later the first six-cylinder vehicle originating from Spain was reveled from the company. At the time, Hispano Suiza was a well-established brand for high-performance vehicles, but as World War I quickly approached, the company would take a right turn and begin manufacturing something completely different: aircraft engines.   

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