Hispano Suiza’s Approach to Invisible Performance

The software inside the Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera processes over 200 million instructions per second. It analyzes the steering wheel's position, the yaw angle of the chassis, damper travel, and acceleration across three axes in real time. This constant stream of data is not used to add more functions or fill more screens. It is used to make the technology disappear.

For Hispano Suiza, the goal is a different kind of automotive technology. One that remains in the background, at the service of the driver, enhancing the connection between the person and the machine. This philosophy is embodied in the Carmen Sagrera, the third hypercar in the Carmen range. It is a fully electric vehicle that produces 820 kW, or 1,115 horsepower, and 1,160 Nm of torque. It moves from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.6 seconds.

Empowering the Driver

The car's performance is managed by a proprietary system called Hispano Suiza Driver Dynamics, or HSDD. This is the central brain that coordinates stability, torque management, power distribution, and the vehicle’s driving modes. It integrates a suite of functions, including the Grip Enhancement System for traction and an Active Yaw Modulation system for stability control.

HSDD also includes an Electronic Torque Stabiliser, which manages energy regeneration from braking. It can apply negative torque to the rear wheels independently to improve stability and help extend the car’s range. A thermal management layer oversees the motors and battery to balance performance during use.

A Human Calibration

The calibration of these systems was developed through simulations and extensive testing on both circuits and public roads. The process was led by test driver and former Formula 1 driver Luis Pérez-Sala. The objective was to preserve a generous margin of freedom for the driver, ensuring the electronic interventions deliver a progressive and natural response.

The result is an experience where the driver can feel the vehicle’s character without the sense that electronics have taken over. The systems are designed to support with precision and discretion, respecting the driver's judgment at all times.

Juan Fernández, the Chief Technical Officer at Hispano Suiza, describes the thinking. “At Hispano Suiza, we understand technology as a tool to intensify driving pleasure, not to replace it.” He explains that the HSDD system coordinates every intervention so it acts only when necessary. The action is meant to be “in a precise, natural way that is entirely consistent with the character of the vehicle.”

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