In many ways, Germany is the heart of modern luxury cars, with brands such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche setting the standard in most categories. Even the most prestigious brands in England are owned by German car groups, including Rolls-Royce and Bentley. That is why it seems only natural why China's Hongqi decided to continue the European expansion of its premium electric crossover in Germany.
Hongqi is owned by FAW, China's second-largest state-owned automaker. In 2018, FAW brought in Giles Taylor, former chief designer of Rolls-Royce. Taylor's influence is evident in the E-HS9 electric SUV, the design of which hints at his earlier work on the Cullinan.
Having already established a presence in some European markets, including Norway, Denmark and Iceland, Hongqi is moving further into Europe. The E-HS9 offers an attractive design along with a three-row cabin for seven passengers. It will be available in two battery configurations. The first is designed for 99 kWh, providing a range of up to 465 km according to the WLTP cycle. The second variant, exclusive to the European market, offers a larger battery with a capacity of 120 kWh with a range of up to 515 km on a single charge.
With a charging speed of up to 140kW, Hongqi says the E-HS9 can power up 100km in just 10 minutes. While Hongqi may aspire to compete with German brands, it may face challenges in doing so. Despite its impressive appearance, numerous Western reviews criticized the SUV for its “unintelligible” chassis setup and flaws in build quality.
Prices for the E-HS9 start at €80,000, while the Exclusive Long Range version will cost buyers in Germany from €102,995.