In a bold leap forward for both the automotive and motorsport worlds, Hispano Suiza has officially inaugurated its own exclusive space at the world-renowned Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The Hispano Suiza Design & Innovation Centre, situated just a stone’s throw from the brand’s Atelier, is set to be the new heart of the company’s track operations, as well as a prime destination for customers, partners, and collaborators seeking a truly immersive experience in the world of luxury hypercars.
A New Era of Innovation and Performance
The Hispano Suiza Design & Innovation Centre is not just any track-side facility—it marks a historic first at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, becoming the first permanent box at the venue occupied by a manufacturer. The opening of this space represents a pivotal moment in the brand’s journey, further cementing its philosophy of ‘From Race to Road.’ This philosophy is all about blending motorsport precision with the elegance and craftsmanship of luxury vehicles, ensuring each Hispano Suiza hypercar delivers unparalleled performance and exclusivity.
Designed as a fusion of two track-side boxes, the Centre comprises two distinct zones: one dedicated to the meticulous operation of Hispano Suiza hypercars and the other designed for guests to delve into the brand’s storied legacy. The first area features the vehicle itself, positioned against a backdrop of sleek panels that prominently display the brand’s ethos, ‘The pleasure of belonging to the unique.’ This is where Hispano Suiza’s engineers and technicians refine the hypercar, preparing it for track testing, validating its cutting-edge technology, and ensuring that it is ready for its customer’s eagerly anticipated delivery.
Meanwhile, the second area offers visitors a rare insight into the hypercar creation process. A thoughtfully curated photographic exhibition tells the brand’s rich history, while guests can unwind in a comfortable setting or engage with the brand’s technical team to better understand the inner workings of a hypercar. This sophisticated blend of innovation and history creates an unparalleled experience for anyone lucky enough to visit.
Pushing the Limits of Performance
Hispano Suiza hypercars, including the groundbreaking Carmen, Carmen Boulogne, and Carmen Sagrera models, are built for performance—and the track is where they truly come alive. With more than 1,000 horsepower under the bonnet, these vehicles demand a rigorous validation process to ensure they are track-ready. Circuit testing is crucial in pushing their mechanical components to their limits, a process overseen by none other than former Formula 1 driver Luis Pérez-Sala, who serves as both a test driver and brand ambassador for Hispano Suiza.
Pérez-Sala’s input plays an essential role in translating the high-octane sensations of motorsport into a road-going experience. His expertise ensures that Hispano Suiza hypercars are not only capable of exceptional track performance but are also finely tuned for the most discerning of owners.
A Strategic Move for the Brand
Sergio Martínez Campos, CEO of Hispano Suiza, expressed his excitement at the inauguration, saying, “The opening of this permanent box at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is a milestone in our recent history and reaffirms our philosophy ‘From Race to Road.’ We want our customers to feel part of the development process of their vehicle and the best way to do this is with our own space inside the circuit. In this way, we continue to place our brand at the forefront of technology, sportiness, and, above all, luxury.”
Juan Fernández, the brand’s Technical Director, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the significance of circuit testing in the development and validation of components for Hispano Suiza’s hypercars. “For this reason, we have been continuously coming to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya over the last few years,” Fernández said. “We are now turning this box into a permanent home for our on-track activities, which will help us maximize our possibilities during the vehicle validation process.”
A Perfect Partnership
The Hispano Suiza Design & Innovation Centre is located just minutes away from the Hispano Suiza Atelier, where customers can personally configure their dream hypercar alongside the brand’s design team. This proximity to the track ensures that, after months of meticulous craftsmanship, customers will witness the real-world performance of their bespoke vehicles as they are tested on the very track where some of motorsport’s greatest achievements have unfolded.
Ignasi Armengol, General Manager of Fira Circuit, expressed his pride in Hispano Suiza’s new venture, noting, “Hispano Suiza was born in Barcelona in 1904 and only a few years later it was already competing and achieving victories to build its legend. The values of competitiveness, innovation, and history shared by Hispano Suiza and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya make this partnership a natural and exciting one.”
The Road Ahead
The Hispano Suiza Design & Innovation Centre is much more than just a base for track testing. It is a beacon of the brand’s commitment to cutting-edge technology, luxurious craftsmanship, and the thrill of performance. It serves as a bridge between the historic world of motorsport and the future of luxury hypercars, offering an experience that will undoubtedly thrill and inspire all who enter its doors.
As Hispano Suiza continues to innovate and push the boundaries of automotive performance, the Design & Innovation Centre will be at the heart of this journey, giving customers a front-row seat to the creation of their dream machines, from design to reality.
