Hongqi Philippines inaugurates first showroom; Introduces 3 new models

To say that EVOxTerra is taking its sweet time in rolling out the Hongqi brand and lineup might be an understatement. And in case you're wondering, the brand name is pronounced "hong-chi."

The Hongqi E-HS9 was first teased at the Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit back in October 2022.

It took EVOxTerra another five months to officially announce that it will indeed bring in the Hongqi flagship three-row EV crossover lineup in March this year. At that time, it was only taking pre-orders for the E-HS9. 

According to EVOxTerra executives we talked to at the sidelines of the Hongqi BGC showroom launch event, the bulk of the orders only arrived in August. Another interesting fact, according to them, is that most of these were the top-of-the-line E-HS9 Flagship variant, a six-seater version of the EV SUV with all the bells and whistles. 

Also Read: A new brand joins the luxury EV market with 2023 Hongqi E-HS9 launch

And now, along with the opening of its first-ever showroom, Hongqi is also officially introducing three new models to add to its local lineup. And not all are electric vehicles.

Hongqi E-QM5

As the only other EV in Hongqi’s Philippine lineup at the moment, the E-QM5 is also its most affordable EV offering yet, coming at ₱1,780,000.

Its mug can be polarizing, but it is definitely futuristic with unconventional LED headlight and DRL strips replacing traditional headlamp housings.

The 5-meter-long midsize sedan comes with a wheelbase of 2,990 mm, or just about the same as a Toyota Land Cruiser or a Jaguar i-Pace. In line with its luxury leanings, the Hongqi E-QM5 has four-way electric lumbar support for the rear seats, seat ventilation, fine fiber interior sound insulation, acoustic glass, and an option for all black or dark brown interiors.

It also features a 10-inch infotainment display, a rear seat screen integrated in the multifunction armrest, WiFi, and Smart Voice Recognition.

The Hongqi E-QM5  has a 190 PS electric motor powered by a 53 kWh CATL honeycomb construction all-aluminum structure battery pack. Its top speed is 160 km/h and it has an estimated NEDC driving range of 400 kilometers. 

Vehicle warranty is good for three years, or 300,000 km. The battery pack and motor each have 8-year warranties, or up to 150,000 km.

Hongqi H5

The most affordable internal combustion engine-equipped sedan in the Hongqi Philippines lineup is the H5. 

Two variants will be offered by EVOxTerra: the Deluxe 40TD has a 2-liter direct injection, turbocharged inline four mated to an 8-speed automatic. It produces 227 PS and 340 Nm of torque and is priced at ₱2,680,000

Hongqi H5 Executive 35TD has a 1.5-liter direct injection turbocharged mill rated at 158 PS and 258 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 7-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission. This one is priced at ₱1,650,000.

Entry-level wheel size is 17 inches, jumping up to 18s for the the Deluxe.

The H5 comes with leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, eight-point pneumatic massage-equipped seats, and a 12.6-inch vertical touchscreen. The driver’s instrument panel is all-LCD as well and it even has a colored Heads-up Display.

A DYNAAUDIO 12-speaker surround sound system can be found in the top trim. It also has 5G internet support with WiFi and Over-the-air update capability. 

And to further add to its premium ambiance, the Hongqi H5 can be had in four interior color choices - Graphite Black, Garnet Red-Graphite Black, Soft Brown-Graphite Black and Ivory White-Rose Grey.

Hongqi H9

But perhaps the most eye-catching model on display at the showroom launch was the 5-meter long four-seater Hongqi H9 Flagship rear-wheel drive sedan. 

With a V6 badge on the fender, this one looks all business, though the H9 will be offered in two different trims, the 2.0T Deluxe and 3.0T supercharged Flagship.

Both have front double wishbone and rear integral link independent suspension layouts with the 3.0T models having air springs. The 2.0T variant has a 48-volt hybrid setup.

Purple+Golden and Brown+Champagne Golden two-tone body colors, much like those found in Bentleys and Rolls Royces, can be ordered. Retracting door handles and LED lighting signatures emphasize the opulence the Hongqi H9 is designed to project.

Luxury is what Hongqi is aiming for with the H9, and the Flagship variant’s leather-clad rear seats can be adjusted for relaxation.

The list of amenities for each variant is quite long, but EVOxTerra is pricing the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo Deluxe 45TD hybrid with 248 PS and 380 Nm at  ₱5,150,000;  and the 3.0-liter Supercharged V6 Flagship at ₱8,080,000.

EVOxTerra executives say that most of the buyers of the E-HS9 EV SUV prior to the showroom opening have emotional attachments to the Hongqi brand. These buyers know the value of Hongqi and what the brand stands for in the Mainland. 

We suppose they think if it's good enough for top Chinese government officials and VIPs, as the brand is known for, then it's good enough for them too.

We wonder if this appeal will also translate to its all-new ICE product range, and if FIlipinos will consider a Hongqi over the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Lexus.

Do you think Hongqi’s offerings can go toe-to-toe with the best that Europe and Japan have in the luxury car space?