Tag Archives: electric vehicle

2021 Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne

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In recent years, defunct automotive brands such as DeTomaso and Healey have seen a revival as a limited production run of bespoke, high end cars for the ultra-rich.

Following that trend is Hispano-Suiza, the Spanish automotive brand that built luxury cars from 1904-1938. A group of investors sought to revive the brand in 2019 with a new vehicle called the Carmen, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show. The name comes from the granddaughter of one of the founders of the original company.

The Carmen is an all-electric hypercar that is positioned alongside competitors such as the Lotus Evija and the Rimac Nevera.

Powered by two electric motor producing a combined 1,005 horsepower (750 KW), the Carmen propels from 0-62 mph in under 3.0 seconds. The car has an 80 kilowatt-hour, liquid-cooled battery pack arranged in a T-shape, which also acts as a tuned mass damper to provide stability and reduce vibration. This gives the car a range of 400 km or 248 miles.

The Carmen is limited to 19 units and carries a base price of $1.7 million USD.

In 2021, Hispano-Suiza announced an even more extreme version called the Carmen Boulogne. The Boulogne is limited to just 5 units and carries a base price of $1.9 million USD.

The Boulogne includes two additional electric motors, bumping the power output to 1,114 horsepower (820 KW) and a top speed of 180 mph.

I saw Chassis No. 1 of the Boulogne on display at the Hispano Suiza booth during The Quail Automotive Gathering in Monterey on 19 August 2022.

The car is eye-catching with its purple-tinted carbon fiber bodywork glistening under the California sun. The coupe body tapers back to a boattail shape in the rear, with pronounced front and rear fenders extending outward from the monocoque body.

The Carmen Boulogne seamlessly blends old-world craftsmanship and luxury with the latest in modern technology.

The white leather interior boasts diamond-quilted patterns on the seats and center console with purple accented stitching to match the car’s exterior. Driver information is delivered via two large LCD screens, one behind the wheel and the other in the center console.

For a lucky few owners, the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne would be the centerpiece of any automotive collection.

Jet Industries Electravan 600

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jet-electravan-600-profileElectric cars such as the Tesla Model S and Nissan Leaf are all the rage these days. These sexy cars offer zero emissions, good fuel economy, and near-silent operation. But there was a time not long ago when electric vehicles were not sexy or cool.

Early electric vehicles were converted from gasoline-powered vehicles using primitive chargers and batteries. They were a novelty item, mostly reserved for hippies and fringe-thinkers. They lacked the mass-market appeal of today’s sophisticated alt-fuel vehicles. Let’s revisit those times for a moment to take a look at once such vehicle: the Electravan.

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2011 Chevrolet Volt Test Drive

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It won Motor Trend’s “Car of the Year” before it was even available for sale nationwide. It runs on gasoline – and, when it wants to, on electricity. Its mileage is more controversial than global warming and stem cells combined. It is the most interesting car in the world.

Whether you love it, hate it, or are indifferent about hybrid cars, there’s no question that the Chevrolet Volt has generated a ton of attention from the media. I was fortunate enough to get behind the wheel of a Volt at the 2011 Arizona International Auto Show.

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Zap Xebra 3 Wheel Electric Vehicle

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Because of its black and white stripe pattern, the zebra is one of nature’s most recognizable animals. Along those same lines, the Zap Xebra is a very recognizable car. Can you guess why?

No, it’s not an optical illusion. This is a 3-wheeled passenger car with the single wheel in front. But wait, it gets better! The Zap Xebra is an all-electric car manufactured in China! You can imagine my complete and utter surprise when I spotted this one silently humming around in Glendale, Arizona.

With a price of just $12,000 brand new, Zap had the market cornered on affordability (and unusual looks). However, at that price point there must have been some compromises in quality. According to several websites I found, some of the cars were made of fiberglass while others were made of steel. None of them ever came with airbags.

The range is an estimated 40 miles at 40 mph, so it can’t go on the highway. The driver must have been pretty close to home at the time I spotted him.

These cars were only produced from 2006 to 2009. I wasn’t able to get a photo of the front, but it has this crazy third headlight in the center that gives the car a very “mouse-like” appearance. Whether you like it or hate it, this is definitely not a car you see every day!