Hongqi: we tried electric cars from the flagship of the Chinese automobile industry

The country's oldest passenger car manufacturer, official supplier of government vehicles and owned by the Chinese state via the FAW group, Hongqi is in some ways the automotive flagship of the Middle Kingdom. Already present in certain European markets, the brand is now launching in France and we were able to take in hand the first two models that it imports there on the sidelines of the Paris Motor Show.

Models that are not reserved for heads of state

While Hongqi is often compared to Bentley and Rolls-Royce, producing opulent limousines for the Chinese government fleet, its mass-produced models mostly do not have the same pretensions. Thus, the first two cars to be imported into France will be the EH7 and EHS7, respectively an electric sedan and an SUV that are still around 5 m long, but which are sold in China from just over 30 000 € only.

The two models share the same visual identity, signed by the English designer Giles Taylor, who notably operated as head of exterior styling at Rolls-Royce between 2011 and 2018, when he was poached by the FAW group. It seems that the Chinese manufacturer wanted to draw inspiration from the best in the European automobile industry, and we are not referring here to English liners, but of course to our national Citroën Xsara, the first model to to have benefited from the pen of Giles Taylor.

If the design of the EH7 and EHS7 remains more discreet than that of Xi Jinping's limousine, the two models may still not be unanimously unanimous, in particular by the shape of their headlights, or even with their red and gold trim. chrome in the center of their hood. Already present on Mao's limousine, it is a nod to the red flag, which also gives its name to the brand (Hongqi means red flag in Chinese). Not sure, however, that this argument really has an effect here, but Hongqi has nevertheless chosen to make this previously optional decorative element obligatory.

Inside, the EH7 and EHS7 are again very close. Their dashboard shares the same design and their steering wheel, bearing the logo of the Hongqi New Energy range of electric cars, takes an almost rectangular shape, not necessarily ideal for maneuvering. The finishes are quite good, but not at the level of European premium manufacturers all the same. The manufacturing quality seemed to be improved on the pre-production models that we were able to take in hand, notably with (very) misaligned body panels.

The central screen lacked some functions on the test models, and certain translations still left something to be desired, but Hongqi promises improvements between now and the first French deliveries.

Surprisingly, the screen dedicated to the instrumentation is small and minimalist. It only displays the most important driving information, while it can be overlooked by an optional head-up display. The latter should eventually offer augmented reality functions, which are still absent on the models under test.

The rear space is vast, as required by Chinese standards, although the fairly high floor and the absence of a footwell on board the EH7 sedan make us prefer to travel in the back of the EHS7 SUV, which is even more welcoming.

A smooth ride

We were able to travel for a few kilometers in a mainly urban environment behind the wheel of both models. They demonstrate a gentle and pleasant ride, a fortiori with the air suspension which fitted the EHS7 in our test, offering a very good level of comfort. To judge the dynamism of these cars, we will have to test them in more suitable conditions. In any case, the performance seems largely sufficient.

The two models offer three versions: an entry-level version surprisingly named Exclusive, equipped with a 253 kW (344 hp) rear motor and a battery with a total capacity of 85 kWh, a Long Range 2WD model which, as its name suggests, retains a single rear motor, but with a larger 111 kWh battery, and finally a Long Range 4WD model, equipped with this same battery, but this time with a second motor on its front axle, to a cumulative power of 455 kW (619 hp). In their most durable Long Range 2WD version, the EH7 and EHS7 announce respectively 655 and 600 km of WLTP autonomy.

The battery cells are supplied by CATL and are NMC lithium-ion technology. Unlike our test models, cars delivered in France will be equipped with a CCS socket, the European charging standard. It will allow them to charge up to 250 kW of direct current, according to Hongqi, which is OK for such capacities.

Hongqi appropriately offers a Level 2 autonomous driving system, which we haven't been able to try yet. As an option it seems, it can rely on a LiDAR affixed to the roof.

French prices start at €49,999 for the EH7 in Exclusive version and €53,990 for the EHS7 with the same configuration, which are distributed here by the company Car East France. With such prices, the EH7 will be sold a few thousand euros cheaper than a Volkswagen ID.7 (from €58,290), for example, but will remain more expensive than a BYD Seal (from €58,290). €42,990), which is enjoying some success with taxis and VTCs in particular. If Hongqi's models appear to offer a fairly good performance/price ratio, they will still have to face increasing competition, precisely between the numerous Chinese brands investing in Europe. Hongqi also plans to market the colossal E-HS9 in France, for a total of ten launches planned in Europe over the coming years.