Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet Xenia. 1938
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| Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet Xenia. 1938 |
The Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet Xenia is a one-off luxury car made by Spanish automobile manufacturer Hispano-Suiza for French pilot and racing car driver André Dubonnet in 1938. The car was built on the chassis of the Hispano-Suiza H6B, however it uses the larger, more powerful engine from the H6C and an entirely new body design by luxury coachbuilder Jacques Saoutchik.
Although based on the chassis of the H6B, the Dubonnet Xenia uses the upgraded straight-6 engine from the H6C model. This 7,983 cc (487 cu in) SOHC engine utilized an aluminum block and a billet steel crankshaft for a lighter and stronger construction. The engine produced 160 hp (119 kW) at 3,050 rpm, able to propel the car to an estimated top speed of around 110 mph (177 km/h) thanks to the slippery aerodynamics of the body.
As a showcase of his own automotive inventions, the Dubonnet Xenia utilized Dubonnet's custom independent coil spring suspension at all four wheels. This design was intended to improve the comfort and smoothness of the ride, with Dubonnet claiming the system had "the suppleness of a cat", and likening the experience of driving the car to floating on air. The Dubonnet Xenia used the standard brakes from the production H6B, which meant servo-assisted alloy brake drums at the front and rear axles.
The exterior of the Dubonnet Xenia features many aviation and Art Deco inspired details owing to the time period and Dubonnet's history as a fighter pilot in World War I. These details include the wraparound windshield, the large slatted grill extending below the long hood, and the unconventional rear-hinged doors that operated by sliding out and back towards the rear of the car.
Dubonnet's focus on aerodynamics can also be seen in the exterior design of the car. The flared front fenders taper off in a teardrop shape towards the rear, as does the tail of the car. Notably, the Dubonnet Xenia has fender skirts that cover almost the entirety of the rear wheels to reduce drag, a technique pioneered 10 years earlier on a land speed record attempt car.
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