China’s oldest automaker Hongqi has come a long way. Started in the 50s primarily to build cars for CCP, it was revived in the 90s and today, it has grown to include, wait for it… a supercar.
That’s right. China’s very first supercar is here and concept it is not. Dubbed Hongqi S9, it is a petrol-electric hybrid supercar that has a combine power output of 1,400 horsepower.
The concept made its premiere in Frankfurt in 2019 with a near production model debuted last year. This year, it has made it to Shanghai Auto Show with a new news: it is available for sale starting from April 19, with delivery expected to happen sometime in Q2 2022. Only 99 units will be made available worldwide.
The motor powering is the “world’s first” mid-mounted V8 turbocharged petrol engine paired to a tri-electric motor setup. It is not clear what transmission it is outfitted with and whether or not it is 2 or 4-wheel drive. But we do some numbers.
China’s first supercar is capable of rocketing from naught to 100 (0-62 mph) in 1.9 seconds and has a top speed of 400 km/h (249 mph).
TBH, details are sketchy, but I guess it is not for us to know. It is reserve for Hongqi’s beloved, very rich customers to know. Exclusivity, folks. Exclusivity. The playbook widely used by European car makers are now being used by China. This is how much the country’s automobile industry has grown.
The exact price is not known. However, according to a report, it would cost over 10 million yuan (about US$1.54 million).
Images: Weibo (一起红旗).