At the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, HONGQI made its debut on this international stage as an official partner, unveiling its star products, the EH7, and EHS7 for the first time. The launch event attracted widespread attention from car enthusiasts and media worldwide.
HONGQI, a luxury car brand from China, may be unfamiliar to European car enthusiasts, but it boasts a long history and rich cultural heritage. It is China’s earliest self-owned automobile brand, with the first HONGQI car rolling off the production line in 1958, marking the first independently produced car in the country.
After that, for a long period, HONGQI was the vehicle of choice for Chinese leaders and was widely used to welcome foreign guests, symbolizing the “highest etiquette” from the East.
HONGQI began to internationalize around 1990. Collaborations with companies like Germany’s Volkswagen and America’s Ford signaled HONGQI’s intention to introduce more products with pricing and performance suited for everyday travel. Among them, the highly anticipated new energy vehicle, the HONGQI EH7, not only showcased its outstanding performance and design but also initiated on-site pre-orders. Let’s step into the event to appreciate its charm up close.
Outstanding Performance: The HONGQI EH7 is equipped with a rear-wheel-drive or an intelligent four-wheel-drive system. It boasts a peak power of 455 kW and a maximum torque of 756 Nm. Its driving range can reach up to 660 km, thanks to its 85/111 kWh battery. The EH7 supports 246kW fast charging, a 5-minute charge provides a range of over 100km.
Intelligent Driving and Safety: The EH7 is equipped with an intelligent driving assistance system, which includes features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping. It uses a combination of three LiDAR units, cameras, and millimeter-wave radar sensors, providing comprehensive environmental perception and driving assistance.
Interior and Exterior Design: The EH7 adopts the “Natural Dynamic Aesthetics” design concept, featuring smooth body lines, a unique smiling grille, and an energetic smiling front face design. It features a panoramic sunroof, immersive ambient lighting, and an audio system, providing passengers with a luxurious and comfortable ride experience. The interior design is simple and elegant, featuring smart touch surfaces and a multifunctional steering wheel, enhancing both the technological feel and ease of use. Additionally, the EH7 uses healthy and environmentally friendly materials, low-odor synthetic leather, and eco-friendly adhesives, achieving a 3.0 interior odor rating, leading the industry. This ensures that the air inside the car is fresh while maintaining a safe and comfortable interior environment.
European Market Positioning: The EH7 primarily targets mid-to-high-end consumers, particularly those who value brand ethos and product quality, and who seek a quality lifestyle and family enjoyment. Its market positioning is as a B-segment electric sedan, and it is likely to launch first in France, followed by pre-sale or launch activities in other major electric vehicle markets in Europe, such as Germany and Norway. It will compete with models like the BYD Han EV, BMW i3, Volkswagen ID.7, and Tesla Model 3.
