This is Hongqi. Luxury Chinese cars designed by Rolls-Royce and chosen by Xi Jinping are now in Russia.

This summer in Russia, there were problems with the sale of Hongqi cars (read as “Khonchi”, which means “red flag” in translation).

The company sells only luxury cars, which is why it is Voyah’s main competitor in the premium car market in Russia in 2023.

Hongqi was founded in 1958 as China’s oldest car manufacturer.

Initially, only Chinese officials traveled along Hongqi.

Hongqi CA72

Hongqi is a subsidiary of FAW, the largest Chinese automaker that created with the coexistence of the USSR. Since its launch, Hongqi has specialized in luxury vehicles.

Hongqi’s first car was the CA72 sedan. Its length was 5.7 meters, and the building was based on the Chrysler Imperial. The car was created by a V8 engine with a capacity of 200 hp. and automatic transmission.

Hongqi CA72 is not for sale. Only employees of Chinese government agencies and members of the Chinese Communist Party drove the car.

Hongqi CA770

In 1966 Hongqi CA770 was released. Its length was almost 6 meters, and its power increased to 350 hp. This car was produced before 1981.

In the 1990s, Hongqi decides to target middle-level officials. As a result of the creation of the Hongqi CA7200 (based on the Audi A100) and CA7460 (based on the Lincoln Town Car). In the middle of the zero release, the HQ3 model, based on the Toyota Crown Majesta, which was already sold to private individuals, but did not gain much popularity in the market.

Starting from the 10th year, Hongqi completely changes the dawn. The company begins to produce cars of its own production and platform.

Hongqi L5

In 2013, Hongqi introduced the retro L5 executive sedan. The design of the machine is based on the CA770, but with modern technical and electronic filling. The length of L5 is 5555 meters. Five is considered a lucky number in China.

Another distinguishing feature of the L5 is its price. This is the most expensive Chinese car. It costs 5 million yuan (70 million rubles or $686,000).

Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, travels on Hongqi L5 and the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party.

Hongqi L5 is not for sale in Russia. But on the other hand, the company brought its other modern cars to Russia. The oldest of them is four years old.

1. Hongqi H5

💰 Price: from 4.79 million rubles

The Hongqi H5 is a D-class sedan that competes with the Toyota Camry, Kia K5, and Mazda 6.

The machine is driven only in tandem with a 218 hp turbocharged gasoline engine, which is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Drive — only the front.

The interior features a panoramic roof, a 12.6-inch screen with an open system, ventilated front seats, an air ionizer in the cabin, a built-in dash cam, wireless phone charging, CarPlay and Android Auto, and ambient lighting in the cabin.

2. Hongqi H9

💰 Price: from 7.79 million rubles

In the Hongqi lineup, the H9 is a luxury sedan that is positioned as a rival to the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

The car is only available with rear wheel drive. It is equipped only with a two-liter turbocharged engine with a capacity of 245 hp. and a seven-speed robot.

The car offers a large list of options, including matrix headlights, memory seats, steering wheel and mirrors, separate rear seats. In addition, all seats are heated and ventilated, and the rear seats are electrically adjustable.

3. Hongqi HS5

💰 Price: from 4.99 million rubles

The mid-size crossover Hongqi HS5 was released in 2019, so at the moment it is the oldest car brand that is sold in Russia.

Its length is 4.76 meters. It is comparable in size to the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe.

In Russia, only an all-wheel drive version is sold with a two-liter gasoline turbo engine with 224 hp, which works together with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The cabin has two large screens combined into one block. The seats are ventilated and heated. Also in the car there is a panorama, adaptive cruise control and all-round camera.

4. Hongqi E-HS9

💰 Price: from 9.49 million rubles

The E-HS9 is Hongqi’s flagship crossover SUV, comparable in size to the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS.

The design of the car was developed by Jayles, the former chief designer of Rolls-Royce. He researched the interior and exterior of Ghost, Phantom, Dawn and Cullinan.

The Hongqi E-HS9 includes an electric motor that produces 550 hp. The 99 kWh battery provides a range of up to 510 km.

The interior of the car is available in two versions: a four-seater, with separate rear seats, and a seven-seater, with a third row of seats. In the first case, rear passengers can place the rear seats in a supine position.

In addition, the crossover is equipped with matrix headlights, door closers, a rear-view mirror with a built-in stove and massage seats.

Hongqi cars have almost no competitors

Now only Chinese manufacturers officially announce their cars in Russia, guaranteeing reliability and spare parts. And if in the budget and mainstream segment it is possible to distribute a parallel import car, then in the premium segment, everything is much more complicated.

Hongqi’s German competitors, such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, can be brought to Russia, but the price of flagship models will be several times higher than Chinese cars. Maintenance of these cars will now be much more expensive and more difficult.

If we consider only official deliveries, then only Voyah competes with Hongqi. But all Hongqi cars, with the exception of the E-HS9, are only available with classic ICEs. So this is a great alternative to the electric and hybrid Voya.