The Hongqi H9 facelift is coming to the market of China next year, and AutoHome has already managed to secure some spy photos of it. One of them shows the sedan sans camo, so you can see for yourself what’s new.
The company’s signature monumental radiator grille is still there, but the front lights are new. The upper sections look like they only contain DRL and turn indicators now, while the headlights themselves have moved onto the bumper. There is also a more distinct lower bumper lip.
The rear end remains wrapped, but those few details that can still be discerned seem unchanged. Perhaps the changes at the rear will be kept down to a minimum.
What looks completely overhauled is the interior. The door panels are new, and the center console sports an electronic transmission joystick instead of a traditional lever. The HVAC console now offers buttons instead of dials, and the displays are mounted in a standalone fashion – no longer built into the dashboard.
The local media believe that the new H9 may trade its pre-selector DCT gearbox for a more common ZF 8AT. It may also receive an all-wheel-drive version. Whether there will be any new powertrain options is speculative, though. In its current form, the premium sedan is obtainable with a 2.0-liter turbo engine rated at 252 PS (248 hp / 185 kW) and a 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged to 283 PS (279 hp / 208 kW).