Hongqi enters PH market, launches E-HS9 luxury electric SUV
A few months after making an appearance at the 10th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit in October last year, as well as various sightings on Philippine roads, Hongqi, a Chinese luxury automaker, has officially been launched in the local market.
The brand was launched today by its local distributor EVOxTerra, under the Transnational Diversified Group, the same company behind the local distribution of the Chinese EV brand Weltmeister.
Hongqi is a subsidiary of China’s FAW Group and is best known for producing the current presidential car for the People’s Republic of China. It is also the oldest Chinese car brand in existence, having been founded in 1958 and like what its known for, has been producing high-end vehicles for Chinese government officials. The brand’s initial lineup for the Philippine market will consist of the E-HS9 fully-electric SUV (see below), and the H-5 ICE-powered sedan (see above) which will come at a later date.
Hongqi E-HS9
As previewed in the 10th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit last year, the first model under the Hongqi Philippines is the E-HS9 fully electric luxury SUV. It will be available in three different variants—Executive, Deluxe, and Flagship.
Looking at its exterior, the Hongqi E-HS9 is definitely imposing with its Rolls-Royce and BMW-like design, especially with the large grille and thin headlights. The side features large wheels and hidden door handles while the rear gets a full-width LED light bar. The interior is likewise the place to be with its very premium appointments and modern tech.
Standard exterior equipment starting from the entry-level Executive variant are LED headlights, 21-inch alloy wheels, pop-out hidden door handles, rain-sensing windshield wipers, privacy rear windows, and a panoramic sunroof. The Deluxe variant adds matrix intelligent LED headlights and exterior welcome lights, while the Flagship gets an air suspension.
Meanwhile, standard interior equipment on all variants including the entry-level Executive are Alcantara and PVC leather combination seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel; multiple screens for the instrument cluster, infotainment, and climate controls; 8-speaker audio system, power front seats, and auto-dimming rear view mirror. The Deluxe variant adds interior ambient lighting and a 12-speaker audio system. Finally, the Flagship gives you Nappa leather and Alcantara combination seat material and power-adjust 2nd row seats.
Dual Electric Motors
Powering the Hongqi E-HS9 are two electric motors. The Executive gets dual 160kW electric motors with 300 Nm of torque each. Maximum battery capacity is at 86 kWh with an estimated driving range of 380 km.
Meanwhile, the Deluxe and Flagship both get the combination of a 160 kW and 245 kW electric motors with the former still producing 300 Nm of torque, while the latter produces 450 Nm. Battery capacity is increased to 99 kWh with an estimated driving range of 441 km. All three variants are also all-wheel drive as standard.
Safety is also loaded for the Hongqi E-HS9 as all variants come with dual front airbags, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, Pedestrian Alert, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Electronic Stability Program, Collision Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Crossroad Reversing Warning, Lane Departure Warning System, and Lane Keep Assist, all as standard. Getting the Flagship adds rear side airbags.
Pricing for the Hongqi E-HS9 starts at Php 4,980,000. Meanwhile, the Hongqi H-9 which will come at a later date will be priced below Php 3-million.
Also, warranty for the EV’s battery is set at 8-years or 160,000 km, whichever comes first.
Again, Hongqi’s initial lineup in the Philippines will consist of four models with the E-HS9 and H-9 as the first two. Their first showroom in the country will be in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) and which will be opening soon.
