Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
Launched in 1958, Hongqi, which means “red flag” in Chinese, is the oldest automotive brand in China. The original Hongqi cars were luxury vehicles that were reserved for the use of foreign dignitaries, high-ranking government officials, and the ruling party elite. Their very first model was the Hongqi CA72, a full-sized sedan based on a 1955 Chrysler and equipped with a 197 hp V8 engine. The grille design was patterned after a traditional Chinese fan, which remains as a design element on modern Hongqi models today.
The very first Hongqi car model was the 1958 CA72 full-size 4-door sedan.
The Hongqi CA770 debuted in 1963.
A second model, the Hongqi CA770, was introduced in 1963 and subsequently updated in 1965 and 1969, but low sales volume ended production in 1981. In 1991, Hongqi was reestablished as a luxury car brand using foreign platforms, such as the Audi 100 and Lincoln Town Car, that were manufactured in China and sold as the Hongqi CA7200/CA7220/Century Star/Mingshi and CA7460, respectively. Now owned and operated by the FAW Group, Hongqi underwent a brand revival, experienced phenomenal growth from 33,000 units in 2018 to 300,000 units in 2021, and announced a global strategy for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) in 2023.
Hongqi models, such as Deng Xiaoping’s CA770, were often used as parade vehicles and official limousines for China’s leaders.
1995-2006 Hongqi CA7220 was based on the Audi 100…
… while the Hongqi CA7460 was based on the Lincoln Town Car.
ICE Luxury Sedans in an NEV World
These trivial tidbits about Hongqi came to mind when we were trying to arrange a test drive of the latest Hongqi NEVs with our friends at Hongqi Philippines – Brian Tumalad Badilla, Kristoff Arcega and Mike Yambao. Because the registration of their new NEV demo units were still being processed, Brian suggested that we take their older demo unit, a 2023 Hongqi H5 2.0T Flagship midsize 4-door luxury sedan, for a short weekend tryst so we can get a feel of what Hongqi is really all about. We gladly accepted Brian’s invitation and we were pleasantly surprised with our overall driving experience.
We had the privilege of driving this 2023 Hongqi H5 2.0T Flagship demo unit for a weekend.
Let’s get one thing straight first: The H5 is not an EV, HEV or NEV. It’s powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine, meaning it’s a Hongqi with an internal combustion engine (ICE) in a world where NEVs are the latest thing. An 8-speed automatic transmission channels 221 horses to the front wheels while meaty 225/50R18 tires wrapped around 18-inch 20-spoke two-tone aluminum alloy wheels transmit that power to the ground. Acceleration is brisk with 340 Newton-meters of torque on tap and just 1,635 kilograms of curb weight to carry and speed up with.
Under the hood is a 1999cc turbocharged inline-4 internal combustion engine (ICE).
Our H5’s two-tone 18-inch 20-spoke 5-lug aluminum alloy wheels feature intricate details.
European Sedan Feel & Performance
The brisk acceleration may catch first-time drivers unaware, especially in “Sport” mode, where a light touch on the accelerator pedal will make the H5 jump forward almost immediately. Thankfully, switching to “Eco” mode tames the engine power to a much more manageable level when driving in the crowded city while improving fuel efficiency at the same time. We only got an average fuel economy of around 10.7 km/L around the city (partly because of the crawling traffic during our weekend drive) but that is still quite impressive for a midsize sedan that looks and feels more European than Chinese.
Our turbocharged H5 feels spritely in “Sport” mode and somewhat fuel-efficient in “Eco”.
Pundits will say that we’ve driven too many vehicles to be able to distinguish European quality from the rest but that’s just the point. Because of China’s strong economy and their drive to succeed in the global automotive industry, most Chinese carmakers have utilized the best engineers, designers, production processes and quality parts from Europe, and incorporated all these into their products. As the flagship Chinese luxury car brand, Hongqi has embraced modern automobile technologies that can rival European, Japanese and American luxury cars and we experienced this high level of quality and performance during our H5 test drive.
With its large grille, elegant looks and quality fit & finish, the H5 could be considered as a midsize Chinese Rolls-Royce.
Quick Glance Turns into a Stare
We had a funny incident while driving the H5 along C5 Road. Crawling through heavy traffic, we drove alongside a BMW 5-series and the driver, who probably thought that our car was another European model, took one glance and then looked away. Since traffic was practically at a standstill, he took another look and saw the large panoramic glass sunroof, which prompted him to stare longer and search with his eyes to find out what our car was. Fortunately, our demo car made it easy for him since it has huge “Hongqi” and “H5” wordings on its doors.
“Hongqi” and “H5” wordings on the doors easily gave away our test car’s identity.
After our lane freed up and we sped away, we weren’t able to see what his reaction was. Perhaps, because Hongqi used to manufacture Audi-based CA7220 models, the factory may have adopted Audi production processes over time that they had unwittingly made the H5 a bit more European with an Audi-like aura to it. Its overall shape reminds us of an Audi A6, but with a shorter nose section like a BMW’s and a large grill like a Lexus, which may be the reason why our Hongqi caught the BMW driver’s eye in traffic.
Viewed from the side, the Hongqi H5 exuded an Audi A6-like vibe… or maybe we’re just biased.
European and Teutonic Touches
Inside the H5, the ergonomic layout of the cockpit and functionality of the controls exude a Teutonic feel further projecting an Audi-like driving experience. A 12.3-inch LCD instrument panel resides behind the multi-function steering wheel while a 12.6-inch infotainment touchscreen provides information and entertainment. An independently-developed QISI 1.0 system with intelligent antennas, an in-car 5G and Wi-Fi6 technologies provides the high-speed connectivity between the H5 and mobile devices of its occupants.
With built-in pneumatic lumbar support, massager and cooler, the driver’s seat is the best seat in the house!
Red leather seats, ergonomic cockpit, large 12.3″ LCD instrument panel and 12.6″ tablet-like touchscreen leaves a European luxury car impression.
The contrasting red leather seats gave it an “old rich” vibe while the power adjustments and in-seat coolers on the bolstered front bucket seats, as well as the built-in 8-point pneumatic massage and 4-way pneumatic lumbar support on the driver’s seat, made us feel like we are driving a car that costs six times as much. The comfortable rear seat features a foldable center armrest that hides a square compartment to store small gadgets and a couple of drink holders that fold away neatly when not in use.
Spacious rear bench seat can accommodate 3 passengers and could be mistaken for a limousine’s backseat.
The center armrest can be used when there are only 1 or 2 backseat passengers…
… and the armrest reveals a nifty compartment and fold-away drink holders.
Alas! It’s Been Two Years
Inside and out, everything about the Hongqi H5 looks modern, chic and sophisticated. It could be the company car for mid-level company executives who are given a budget of around P3 Million. It could be a viable alternative for companies that lease luxury cars for their VIP fleet. However, the big boss might have a fit when he/she finds out that the company car of his/her mid-level executives offer more luxury and amenities than his/her much more expensive European luxury car.
Simple yet elegant rear section looks clean and uncluttered…
… while rear trunk can hold 410 dry liters of luggage.
At the end of the day, we had to remind ourselves that our 2023 Hongqi H5 2.0T Flagship is already a two-year-old luxury sedan and that Hongqi Philippines have only 2 or 3 units left in their inventory (and around 10 of the 1.5-liter H5 Basic models). After Hongqi embarked on a new global NEV strategy in 2023, we can only assume that our test drive H5 and the remaining ICE units in Hongqi Philippines’ inventory will soon be replaced or updated with EV, HEV and future NEV models.
Will we see an EV, HEV or NEV Hongqi H5 in the future? Or is this turbo H5 the last of the ICE luxury sedans from the Red Flag?
It may be that we are getting older and wiser, demanding more luxury for less money, choosing function and features over brand image that we find ourselves looking at the H5 as a more accessible alternative to European, American or Japanese midsize luxury models. Hongqi may not yet be a status symbol here in the Philippines, but in China, it’s a big thing to be driving or riding around in a Hongqi. It’s the red flag that they admire over there.
As a midsize luxury sedan, the Hongqi H5 ticks all the right boxes.
SPECIFICATIONS
Vehicle Type: Front engine, FWD, 4-door midsize luxury sedan
Price: P2,680,000
Engine: CA4GC20TD-33 turbocharged inline 4-cylinder
Displacement: 1999cc
Maximum power: 221 hp @ 6000 rpm
Maximum torque: 340 Nm @ 4500 rpm
Transmissions: 8-speed automatic
Fuel tank capacity: 64 liters
Trunk capacity: 410 dry liters
Wheelbase: 2920 mm
Length: 4988 mm
Width: 1875 mm
Height: 1470 mm
Minimum ground clearance: 140 mm
Minimum turning radius: 5.7 m
Curb weight: 1635 kg
Front suspension: Independent, McPherson struts with coil springs
Rear suspension: Independent, multi-link with coil springs
Front brakes: Ventilated discs
Rear brakes: Ventilated discs
Steering system: Rack & pinion with electric power assist (EPS)
Wheels: 18-inch 20-spoke 5-lug two-tone aluminum alloy
Tires: 225/50R18
