China-based car manufacturer Hongqi (Chinese for ‘Red Banner’) has released a teaser of its second-gen H7 sedan/saloon, now luxed-up and ‘promoted’ to H9.
The company, which represents a part of the FAW Group, posted the first sketches of the car this summer. The first spy photos appeared a month ago, and now, the time has come to announce the premiere date: January 8, 2020. Sales will begin in May.
The first-generation Hongqi H7 has been in production since 2013, and comes based on the same RWD platform as the older Toyota Crown. It is assumed that the H9 will take advantage of a brand-new FAW-designed vehicle architecture. It is also almost guaranteed to get a digital dashboard and a giant infotainment screen.
It is worth pointing out that Giles Taylor, ex-Designer of Rolls-Royce cars, is currently employed at Hongqi. The automaker does not specify whether he took part in designing the H9 or the car was finished before his recruitment.
As far as the engine is concerned, we are told that the H9 comes powered by a new FAW engine. A rumor says it is a two-liter, four-cylinder unit with several boost variants. The company says the torque rises as high as 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) in the strongest version, enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just eight seconds.
Hongqi is not particularly well-known outside of China, but things may change with the adoption of its latest international expansion strategy. The carmaker attended the Frankfurt motor Show this fall with a couple of concept cars on display.