Hispano Suiza Granturismo

Dazzling Comeback

An esteemed automotive brand is experiencing a stunning revival at the 2010 Geneva International Motor Show: Hispano Suiza. A Swiss-Spanish company is presenting a new super-premium sports car under this marque. It clearly accentuates the exclusivity of the brand and is the first of its kind with hybrid
drive. Unsurpassed quality, superb technology, exceptional comfort and ample performance – but still ideally suited for everyday driving. These are the principles that Marc Birkigt, the Swiss founder of the original Hispano Suiza company, strove for in all of his inspired designs. The new Granturismo lives up to this brand distinction in every respect.

The car has a chassis constructed with aluminum space-frame technology, as well as a lightweight, yet extremely stable, carbon body. In the initial version of the car, a ten-cylinder V-engine, assisted by two electrically-powered superchargers, generates 750 HP – power that is abundant enough to propel the Hispano Suiza from a standing stop to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.4 seconds. The permanent all-wheel drive ensures sufficient traction to deliver this power to the road, guaranteeing not only extraordinary driving performance but also outstanding handling.

With an access height of 1,250 millimeters (49 inches), Hispano Suiza drivers will enjoy complete ease of entry – uncommon for a car of this performance class. The interior, furnished in leather, aluminum and carbon, is ergonomic yet of superior quality and refinement. Consequently, the Granturismo was made not only to attest to its racing pedigree – it is equally at home cruising down metropolitan thoroughfares.

The Team

Erwin Himmel

The driving force behind this ambitious project is Erwin Leo Himmel. Born in Graz, Austria, the designer is a graduate of the Royal College of Art in London and has extensive years of experience in the automotive industry. Over the years, Himmel worked for Audi in Ingolstadt on numerous successful model lines – the Audi 80, Audi 100 and the RS4 or A8, for example. His Audi quattro Spyder design study was the highlight of the 1991 IAA. Other models from the Volkswagen Group – for instance the VW Touareg or Seat Leon – also bear Himmel’s signature. Himmel was one of the first automotive designers to recognize the significance of integrated brand design and has consistently pursued this concept. After his tenure with the Volkswagen Group, Himmel opened his own design studio in Barcelona, designing for brands such as Mitsubishi, Subaru, Panasonic, LG, Samsung and TAG Heuer. Himmel returns to his roots with his Hispano Suiza concept, giving new luster to the venerable marque with his designs – true to his motto “Design is my passion – visions are my impetus”.

Marta Pou

A native of Catalonia, she is responsible for sales and product marketing at Hispano Suiza. Marta Pou has been involved in the automotive industry for nearly 20 years. At the age of 27 she ran her own car dealership in Barcelona, selling almost 3,000 automobiles per year and managing 60 employees. Her commitment to Hispano Suiza has led her to trade high volumes of off-the-rack products for the utmost in exclusivity, individuality and quality. With her international sales expertise and ardor for automobiles, brands and quality, Marta Pou wants to help the noble Hispano Suiza brand to shine with new brilliancy.

Roland Mayer

An automotive engineer, he acquired the skills for first-rate performance tuning of high-tech engines while working at Audi. Then, almost twenty years ago, he left to start his own company for engine technology just outside of Ingolstadt. Since then, Roland Mayer and his team have helped manufacturers such as Audi, VW, Seat, Porsche, Bentley and Lamborghini to significantly optimize the performance of standard production engines. Roland Mayer’s specialties include engine controller electronics, turbocharging and supercharging, and suspension engineering. He infuses this expertise in Hispano Suiza so that a car originates that not only offers supreme performance and tremendous handling, but is also distinguished by an exceptional suitability for everyday driving.

Alexander Medawar

For more than 20 years, Alexander Medawar has earned a reputation as a design and prototype expert in the automotive industry. In the Hispano Suiza project he bears the responsibility for the entire prototype phase – from the first specimen to the finished automobile. Medawar utilizes the most state-of-the-art technology – CAD/CAS (Computer Aided Design/Styling) – for this, not only for the body but also for the exclusive interior. His depth of experience enables him to already plan and keep track of the future series production while still in the midst of the design process. In short, Alexander Medawar translates Erwin Himmel’s ideas into a tangible product and ensures that the execution and quality measure up to the standard of the Hispano Suiza brand.

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