STUD OR DUD? Hispano Suiza Transforms The R8, But Did They Do More Harm Than Good?

The new car's engine, space frame and running gear are from the Audi/Lamborghini stable, although the Audi R8 frame is has been lengthened and widened, while the engine has been treated to what the car's designer Erwin Himmel describes as 'a very large compressor'.

Like its historic ancestors, the new Hispano Suiza is designed - and priced - for extreme exclusivity. Herr Himmel tells us he plans to build between 25 and 50 cars annually, and they'll cost roughly £700,000 a pop.






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Whelan - 3/3/2010 10:20:30 AM

-3 Boost

#1 Who is Hispano Suiza? Must not be that legendary since I haven't seen tons of articles on them.

#2 it looks like a 1970's Vette got blended into a modern recreation of a Vector.

Agent009 - 3/3/2010 11:11:41 AM

+2 Boost

Hispano-Suiza was originally a Spanish luxury automotive and engineering firm, from 1923 on, best known for their cars, engines (including world famous aviation engines) and weapons designs in the pre-World War II period.

Whelan - 3/3/2010 3:51:21 PM

+1 Boost

So they made their own cars or always borrowed other designs, engines and such and tweaked them to their fitting?

I guess it's just me, I'm not a fan of these aftermarket rebuilds that come out for such performance niche cars and exotics. I never see them on the road (though I don't live in Hollywood or Miami), and they offer no appeal. Especially this when compared to a stock R8.

freeagent - 3/3/2010 11:52:14 AM

+1 Boost

awefull. Stick with the Audi design

pushrod27 - 3/3/2010 3:34:04 PM

+1 Boost

and with that, you have confirmed that your eye sight is as shitty as your logic. the R8 is gorgeous, this thing is an abomination.

SteedPub - 3/3/2010 1:45:04 PM

0 Boost

Looks like one of those vague made up designs that Hot Wheels creates so they don't have to pay royalties to any given automaker on their toys.

pennfootball - 3/3/2010 1:57:43 PM

+1 Boost

Horifying absolutely terrible

theoptimisticpessimist - 3/3/2010 4:05:11 PM

0 Boost

OVER-STYLIZED Dude. Did this question really need to be asked.

OBie - 3/3/2010 6:28:46 PM

+3 Boost

I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.

Lexus - 3/3/2010 11:09:07 PM

+4 Boost

Why wouldn't anyone want to turn the already Gorgeous and Exotic Audi R8 into this thing? Their a clients were I work have an Audi R8, and when come in, many of the employee take a 5 minutes break so that can stair at the Audi R8.

This is really insulting to Audi original designer. If I was the designer of the Audi R8, I would be pretty tick they they mess up my master piece.

Thumb down!

uaw_lax - 3/4/2010 3:50:21 AM

+1 Boost

Do people buy kits like this, I dont see many?

dbtk - 3/5/2010 12:35:51 PM

+1 Boost

Uhhh...