Chinese carmaker Hongqi's H5 sedan has been completely redesigned in the style of the H9 top model. The market launch has now taken place in China.
In the Chinese FAW group, the Hongqi brand plays the role of the premium label, which is also intended to compete with competitors such as Mercedes, Audi or BMW. In June 2022, the new Hongqi H5 was presented at the Chongqing Auto Show - a business sedan in the format of the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class or Audi A6, but in China the package compared to competitors such as the VW Passat, the Nissan Teana or enter the Honda Accord. Now, at the end of July, the revised H5 will be launched in the Chinese market.
Self-developed platform with hybrid option
With a length of 4.99 meters, a width of 1.87 meters and a height of 1.47 meters, it places itself exactly in the targeted competitive environment. This also applies to the wheelbase of 2.92 meters and the built-in technology. The refreshed Hongqi H5 moves from the previously used platform of the third generation Mazda 6, which FAW had access to through its cooperation with the Japanese, to a completely new platform developed by FAW. It relies exclusively on front-wheel drive and is combined with three motors in the Hongqi H5. The base engine is a 1.5-liter turbo petrol engine with 169 hp and 258 Nm of torque, which is combined with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and makes the H5 a top speed of 215 km/h. ,
Alternatively, the H5 can be equipped with a two-liter turbo petrol engine with 224 hp and 340 Nm, which then works together with an eight-speed automatic. The maximum speed here is 230 km/h. The third option is the 1.5-liter four-cylinder in combination with an electric motor and a CVT transmission as a hybrid. The system performance is given as 190 hp and 280 Nm. Battery information is currently unavailable. The top speed of the hybrid model is limited to 180 km/h.
H5 in H9 look
In terms of design, the H5 takes a big step towards premium, as it is clearly based on the Hongqi top model H9 in terms of appearance. The H5 now also has an even more powerful radiator grille, which stands almost vertically in the airflow and opposes it with its chrome-plated grille slats. The new grille is framed by a wing-shaped chrome bar, which ends in the new two-line LED daytime running lights on the left and right. The main headlights are located one floor below, also in two rows, in the apron. Red Flag symbolism (Hongqi means Red Flag) is found in the form of elongated emblems running from the hood into the grille as well as along the front door edges.,
L-shaped LED lights dominate the rear view, which runs across connected to the boot lid with a strip of lights.A small spoiler lip crowns the trunk lid, the lower part of the apron is shared by two trapezoidal tailpipe trims, which have a diffuser element in the middle.
Mega display in the cockpit
In the cockpit, the Hongqi H5 driver looks at a digital instrument panel via a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel. A touchscreen in XXL portrait format dominates the center console, including a few direct selection buttons. In addition, the high center console houses the gear selector lever, flanked by two cupholders and the electronic parking brake. The center armrest again takes up the Red Flag decorative element. The three-seater bench in the rear should offer sufficient legroom on all seats due to the omission of the cardan tunnel and the long wheelbase. The Chinese do not provide any information on the trunk volume, but it looks quite lavish in the pictures.
The Hongqi H5 is equipped with adaptive cruise control, parking assistant and 360-degree all-round camera surveillance as standard. The operating system of the H5 also allows numerous remote control functions via an app.
The prices for the Hongqi H5 with the 1.5-liter turbo petrol engine start at the equivalent of around 24,700 euros. The two-liter variant is available from around 26,200 euros. At least 29,100 euros have to be paid for the hybrid version.,
Conclusion
The FAW subsidiary Hongqi has completely relaunched its mid-range model H5. Visually, the H5 now emulates the top model H9. Technically, it's more like home cooking.
