Go to Ultimatecarpage.com

Car search: Quick Advanced 
  Ultimatecarpage.com  > Cars by brand  > Spain  > Hispano Suiza
K8 Concept
Cars statistics: 3122 cars, 308 makes, 21017 images; Events statistics: 117 reports, 19329 images; Forum statistics: 55,407 members, 33,600 topics; more...


Hispano Suiza K8 Concept

Hispano Suiza K8 Concept
Click here to save all images    Image credits: Mazel Group 

    

Click here to download printer friendly version During the 2000 Geneva Motor Show it appeared that yet another great motoring name would make a comeback; Hispano Suiza. Rivals of old like Bugatti and Maybach had already been revived and now it seemed the turn for the great Spanish manufacturer. The reason for this idea was the Hispano Suiza badged mid-engined concept car displayed by Spanish design and engineering company Mazel. Anticipation was further increased by two subsequent Hispano Suiza badged concept cars shown in 2001 and 2002, but nothing has come from the project.

The first of the three show cars was aptly dubbed the HS 21; the Hispano Suiza for the 21st century. The thoroughly modern design was penned Spaniard Francisco Villafanez. The only cue reminiscent of the Hispano Suizas of old was the prominent grille. At the time of the launch Mazel suggested the HS 21 would be powered by a twin-turbo V10 engine and equipped with a six-speed sequential gearbox. The show car was not fitted with a drivetrain and it is doubtful it was fitted at a later point. Now painted in a lighter shade, the HS 21 made a second appearance on the Mazel's Geneva stand some four years after the launch, but has not been seen since.

A year after the HS 21 launch, Mazel showed the distinctly different K8. Painted in a rather appalling matt-grey colour, the K8 is a four-door luxury sedan. Maybe it was the colour hiding all the delicate lines, but the K8 was not nearly as well received as the HS 21. With the third and final Hispano Suiza show car Mazel returned to the original HS 21 design. Dubbed the HS 21 GTS, the bright orange car was a study for a potential Hispano Suiza racing car. Whether this was a fully operational machine is again doubtful as all pictures published show the cars stationary.

Mazel failed to secure final support for reviving the Hispano Suiza brand and has since made various other show cars under their own name and for third parties.

Article by Wouter Melissen, last updated on 04 / 16 / 2008

Add your comments on the Hispano Suiza K8 Concept

     

General specifications
Country of origin Spain
Numbers built N/A (Prototype)
Produced in 2001
Introduced at 2001 Geneva Motorshow
Body design Mazel Group

Engine
Configuration V 8
Location Front, longitudinally mounted
Displacement 4.200 liter / 256.3 cu in
Valvetrain 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC
Fuel feed Fuel injection
Aspiration Naturally Aspirated

Drivetrain
Gearbox 6 speed Sequential
Drive All wheel drive

Dimensions
Length / Width / Height 4960 mm (195.3 in) / 2000 mm (78.7 in) / 1430 mm (56.3 in)

Performance figures
Power 360 bhp / 269 KW @ 7200 rpm
Torque 431 Nm / 318 ft lbs @ 3500 rpm
BHP/Liter 86 bhp / liter

Resources
Useful links


Ultimatecarpage.com - All Cars - Contact us - Privacy Statement - Top © 1998 - 2008 Ultimatecarpage.com