FAW is a Chinese brand that dates back to 1958 and is known for its prestige and luxury for decades. The FAW has the significance of being the vehicle of choice for Chinese Government officials. The FAW Group is a company owned by the government itself, and the release of its new premium model is always an important event. The Hongqi E-HS9 is proof that the Chinese automotive industry has developed notably over the past two decades. Fast-forward to the present scenario and the Chinese carmakers are posing a challenge to the stalwarts of the auto industry. The model is every bit as luxurious and performance-oriented as cars from several other established automakers.
The Hongqi E-HS9, a fully electric luxury SUV, is a perfect example that China too has been making great strides in the automobile industry. The performance quality is splendid and the car boasts a premium look too.
A Classic, Upscale Design
The HS9 shares substantial similarities with other models, but that’s not strictly a negative aspect. The prominent front grille and the thin headlight design resemble a Rolls Royce Cullinan or a BMW X7. The E-HS9 does not feature suicide rear doors or it would have come under heat for imitating the British luxury SUV. An interesting trivia is that the designer of the E-HS9 was formerly employed by Rolls Royce. The 22-inch wheels, not uncommon in the luxury car world, do the job of giving the premium EV a formidable stance.
The side looks quite well-sorted too with lots of clean surfaces. Thanks to the two-tone exterior finish, the car achieves a bold upscale look and this is something common in Rolls Royces, Maybachs, Bentleys, and other ultra-luxury vehicles. The car rear has a mildly-swooping roofline and lean, boomerang-style LED taillights. Moreover, the rear quarter window design resembles a Genesis GV70. What’s most intriguing, however, is that despite being an EV, the E-HS9 preserves the quintessential dimensions of an SUV.
A Digitalized Interior For The Chinese EV
The interior screams high-end and is highly digitalized with features like touch-sensitive surfaces on the steering wheel, which is heated and leather-clad. The car sports heated front and rear seats which are ventilated and power-adjustable. The comfy seats are upholstered in leather or Alcantara, which can be chosen by the buyer. The E-HS9 is a huge car and this translates into ample legroom and space for the third row of seats. The new model supports L2.5 driver assistance and comes with Hongqi’s Smile 1.0 intelligent in-vehicle system.
The main infotainment screen is the highlight of the gauge cluster and for additional functionality, there's a second LCD screen situated at the lower center console. The rear of the car has three more screens with a central screen to adjust the climate controls and screens at the back of each front seat. The car features third-row seats, thus making it a seven-seater. The model also offers the latest advanced driver assistance systems or ADAS and advanced connectivity onboard the Chinese luxury SUV.
A Fantastic Chinese EV Performer
In terms of powertrain, the EV offers two different versions both of which give the E-HS9 all-wheel-drive capabilities. The lower trim has two electric motors, each rated with an output of 215 horsepower, which produces a total of 430 horsepower. The upper trim level has a 215 horsepower electric motor at the front, but the rear axle motor makes 329 horsepower, which results in a combined output of 544 horsepower.
Once the vehicle moves, the luxury impression received while it was static is confirmed. Courtesy of the long wheelbase and the air suspension, the ride is stylish by all means. The most powerful configuration of the seven-seater luxury SUV is its capability to go from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.2 seconds. Additionally, the E-HS9 has a range of around 300 miles on a single charge. It can also be charged at up to 108 kW, which is quick enough to take it from 10 to 80 percent in 35 minutes. It is not known whether the E-HS9 will feature solid-state batteries, but one of the significant goals for the company is to realize their commercial use as well as to pull off 620 miles of range, on a single charge.
An Affordable Price Tag For A Global Car
The FAW intends to project Hongqi E-HS9 as a global model, and thus the company took extensive care to make the car appealing to customers worldwide. The Hongqi E-HS9 will start from $85,530 in China. However, the prices can soar past the $116,632 mark, depending on the specs. Previously, the company had proved its genuine intention to make the high-end luxury and sports cars with the hybrid supercar Hongqi S9, which would be built in Italy under the supervision of Amedeo Felisa, the previous CEO of Ferrari. FAW’s strategy to build ultra-luxury vehicles continues with the E-HS9 and it looks like the company has taken tips from every premium and ultra-luxury SUV available for sale on the market.
The Hongqi E-HS9 is a gutsy and curious move on FAW's part. The Chinese carmakers have the financial means necessary to establish a foothold in North America and Europe, but they are striving for the top segment of premium cars. Even though the cost estimate of their first luxury EV does not suggest it, the tech behind it could be viewed as a discreet sign that the Chinese carmakers could eventually take on a remarkable portion of the global automotive market. This model is the first fully electric luxury SUV of the Hongqi brand and certainly marks a milestone for the company.