This is the new Hongqi H7, it debuted at the Beijing Auto Show and it will be listed on the Chinese car market before the end of this year. The Hongqi H7 has to compete with such fine cars as the Audi A6L, the Benz E-class, BMW 5-series and Volvo S80. Well, the grill loox certainy got more chrome than all competitors together. Good start…

The rest of the car is much less impressive, lotta sheet-metal, not much shape, not much ‘design’ and certanly not a lot of fun. Perfectly fine car for mid-level government officials in China, who ate boring and prefer boring. The Hongqi H7 is based on the Toyota Crown made by the FAW-Toyota joint venture. Power comes from three engines: a FAW-developed 2.0 turbo and two V-sixes from Toyota: 2.5 and 3.0, these engines also power the Crown.

A Hongqi-designer’s idea of creativity: add a little white piece in red light. Dynamic it ain’t!

Interior is not bad, materials seemed fine enough. Some wood, some chrome, some leather. Screen doesn’t seem to fit too well, probably a pre-production car. Hongqi brought a grand total of four H7′s to the show, they were parked close to each other  on the booth, and they were all painted the same color black. Beat that for boring.

Enough space for dignitary and the karaoke-girl.

The new Hongqi L7 limousine debuted at the Beijing Auto Show. The Hongqi (Red Flag) L7 is the short wheelbase version of the massive CA7600L state-limousine-parade car that debuted at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show. The Hongqi L7 will sadly not be sold to the general public but some hundred will be made to ferry around ‘dignitaries’ during the Communist Party’s congress in October. The real VIP-dignitaries, like president Hu Jintao, will use the CA7600L.

Power comes from a Hongqi-developed 5.985 litre V12 that poops out 300kw and 580nm. Size: 6095mm/2008mm/1720, making the L7 a full 30 centimeter shorter than the CA7600L. Both limo’s are based on a Toyota Landcruiser chassis, the Landcruiser is made in China by the FAW-Toyota joint venture. FAW, First Auto Works, is also the owner of the Hongqi-brand.

The Hongqi H7 debuted yesterday at a special ceremony in Beijing, FAW couldn’t wait two more days until the Beijing Auto Show. The H7 has to be a new beginning for the Hongqi-brand, once famous in China for its massive state limousines.

The Hongqi H7 has to compete with such fine cars as the Audi A6L, the Benz E-class, BMW 5-series and Volvo S80. Hongqi is especially aiming at the government which buys a massive 900.000 cars a year, many of those are Audi A6L used to transport high ranking officials around town. Hongqi wants that market back, and the government will give. Hongqi announced big plans for the future, the brand will make an even bigger limousine, an SUV and an MPV. Hongqi is also developing their own line of V6, V8 and V12 engines to power future glory.

The Hongqi H7 is based on the Toyota Crown made by the FAW-Toyota joint venture. Power comes from three engines: a FAW-developed 2.0 turbo and two V-sixes from Toyota: 2.5 and 3.0, these engines also power the Crown. Chinese ‘netizens’ are already complaining about the H7 Toyota-origins, a Japanese car underpinning China’s pride! They are right, but they also forget that has never been any Hongqi that was not based on a foreign car.

The H7′s design is pretty simply, if not to say a bit boring. Front is fine but the rest of the car is rather standard-limousine. Thick C-pillar is good. It should have been more impressive! Sure when you take a very boring Toyota Crown as base you can’t make it very much better… Hard-points of the Crown-chassis haven’t been changed. Well, after all these years we are still waiting for a real Chinese Hongqi to arrive.

Some wood and surprisingly cheap looking plastic. Golden Sunflower-logo on the wheel harking back to past.

Did Hongqi-designers had any fun when the were doing the H7? Back is so bland nobody will recognize it.

Via: Autohome.

Here we have the very first official pics of the upcoming Hongqi H7, leaked straight away from FAW, or First Auto Works, the owner of the Hongqi (Red Flag) brand. The Hongqi H7 will debut at the Beijing Auto Show later this month, to compete with such fine cars as the Audi A6L, the Benz E-class, BMW 5-series and Volvo S80.

The Hongqi H7 based on the Toyota Crown made by the FAW-Toyota joint venture. Power comes from three engines: a FAW-developed 2.0 turbo and two V-sixes from Toyota: 2.5 and 3.0, these engines also power the Crown.

Crossing the bridge indeed, this H7 has to revive the ailing Hongqi-brand, which will be hard because Hongqi never managed to develop any car of its own, something Chinese car buyers of today know very well. As far as we can see; we say: no chance again, no matter the chrome, it’s just a Toyota in the end…

Pics via: Sohu.com.

The new Hongqi H7 will debut at the Beijing auto Show later this month. It is based on the Toyota Crown made by the FAW-Toyota joint venture, FAW is also the owner of the Hongqi (Red Flag) brand. The H7 is showing more and more of itself, today we have new pics of the engine, rear-suspension and the interior. Engine on top, a Toyota-sourced 2.5 liter V6. Other engines are FAW’s own 2.0 turbo and a 3.0 Toyota V6.

Rear-suspension the same as on the Toyota Crown, technically the last-generation Crown because the new car will arrive soon, it will also debut at the Beijing Auto Show. Gearbox is a ‘CA7CH350D’ 7-speed dual clutch.

Famous ‘Golden Sunflower‘ on the steering wheel. The Hongqi H7 will debut at the Beijing Auto Show later this month and is meant to compete with such fine cars as the Audi A6L, the Benz E-L, BMW 5Li, the Volvo S80L and the… Toyota Crown.

Big question is the price, we have heard a dozen different estimates so far, Chinese media today says price will range from 260.000 yuan until 450.000 yuan. This seems on the cheap side, the new Audi A6L ranges from 355.000 until 742.600 yuan.

Via: Sina.com.

The very first spy shots of an all-naked Hongqi H7, in black for sure, the color of government-power in China! The Hongi (Red Flag) H7 will debut at the Beijing Auto Show later this month and is meant to compete with such fine cars as the Audi A6L, the Benz E-class, BMW 5-series and Volvo S80.

The Hongqi H7 is based on the platform of the Toyota Crown that is made in China by the FAW-Toyota joint venture, FAW is also the proud and slightly desperate owner of the Hongqi-brand. Engines: Sohu.com reported in March there would be two: a FAW-developed 1.8 turbo and a Toyota-sourced 2.5 V6. Until then however we always heard there would be three engines: a FAW-developed 2.0 turbo and two V-sixes from Toyota: 2.5 and 3.0, these engines also power the Crown. Today’s report is back to 2.0/2.5/3.0.

This seems to be the 2.0 turbo. The Hongqi-name written on the back in Mao’s handwriting.

Interior very nice, wood and chrome, materials seem good enough for a Hongqi, but will it be good enough to tackle the mighty Audi A6?, which by the way is made in China by the FAW-Volkswagen joint-venture.

Via: 163.com.

The Hongqi H7 sedan will debut at the Beijing Auto Show next month. It is an important car for owner FAW that hopes to bring the Hongqi-brand back to former glory. Whether this H7 can do that is however not so sure. The H7 is based on the rear-wheel drive Toyota Crown that is made by the FAW-Toyota joint venture and therefore not exactly a ‘Hongqi-original’ as FAW once promised it would be.

First the engine news. Until now Chinese media reported that there would be three engines: a Toyota 2.5 V6, a Toyota 3.0 V6 and a new FAW-developed 2.0 turbo. Today however Sina.com reports that there will be a FAW 1.8 turbo and the Toyota 2.5 V6. No word anymore on the 2.0 turbo and the 3.0 V6. The spy pic only shows ‘H7 turbo’ without indicating the capacity of the engine. Same here:

For now, let’s wait and see… More on the interior:

Materials seem good enough. The Hongqi H7 has to compete with cars such as the Audi A6L, which is made by FAW-Volkswagen, the BMW 5, the Mercedes-Benz E, the Volvo S80 and of course the Toyota Crown itself. It won’t be an easy fight but fortunately the Chinese government will help a bit…

Golden Sunflower on the wheel.

Space in the back not as big as competition, note very short seat on bench, done to make it at least look a bit more specious.

Via: Sohu.com.

New spy shots from the upcoming Hongqi H7, formerly known as the C131, show that Hongqi (Red Flag) cares about its history. The Hongqi’s of old had a handmade artwork on the steering wheel depicting a golden sunflower surrounded by three red flags. The flower and flags are slightly modernized and make a comeback. But not only on the steering wheel, there are golden sunflowers on the wheel-hubs as well.

The steering wheel of a mighty 1978 Hongqi CA770, more of this car in this earlier post. Around the golden sunflower three red flags, meaning: ‘Socialist Construction’, ‘Great Leap Forward’ and ‘People’s Commune’.

The golden sunflower on one wheel-hub. The old ones didn’t have this, it is a first on the H7. It is not liked very much, Chinese ‘netizens’ complain that the hub will inevitably get dirty, thereby defacing the flags and ruining the golden sunflower. I agree, the wheel-hub ain’t no place for flags and flowers.

On the wheel it is fine, a wooden rim would however have been better. Rest of the cabin loox like a fine place to be although not overly ‘Hongqi-special’.

Via: Autohome.

Today in China Car History another very rare Hongqi. This is the Hongqi CA7220 EL1 extended limousine, based on the standard CA7220. It is even more special than other Hongqi’s because it was made only in 1997. The CA7220-series was based on the Audi 100 that was made in China by the FAW-Volkswagen joint-venture, FAW is also the owner of the Hongqi brand (Red Flag).

Wheelbase was extended at the B-pillar by 250 millimeter from standard 2669 to 2919, all extra space went to the passengers in the back. Sporty alloys came standard from the factory.  There were two engines: an Audi 1.8 or a Chrysler 2.2. The CA7220 EL1 was designed with the state in mind, by 1997 most Hongqi’s were still sold to the government but some were also bought by private buyers.

The CA7220 EL1 was dressed up with an extra red-flag ornament on the extended B-pillar. This fine ornament was previously used only on the 1993 CA7221 L (more on that one soon later) and sadly disappeared completely after 1997.

One with optional aluminum rims, at the front, rear rims probably lost…

Via: Taotao, Taotao.

Early Friday evening here in Beijing, my beer is waiting in the bar, time so for a quick history of Chinese cars! Today we have the Hongqi CA7220H, a sporty version from the standard Hongqi CA7220. The CA7220H came with a special aerokit consisting of of front spoiler, side skirts and a big wing at the back. The car was furthermore sexed up by aluminum rims and a blacked-out grille (except for the chrome around it).

The CA7220H arrived in 1996 and was made for only one year. Power came from a Chrysler 2.2 four-cylinder ‘CA 488′ engine that pooped out 67kw, good enough for a 165km/h top speed which was actually 5 km/h slower than the standard car. That indeed is the only thing extra plastic does on slow cars; slowing them down even further…

We don’t have a pic from the interior and that is rather bad because according to FAW’s own website the CA7220H was equipped with a ‘peach wood steering wheel’. Other extra’s included a ‘single-disc CD’ and all-leather seats.

Factory pic. The Hongqi CA7720′s were based on the Audi 100 that was made in China by the FAW-Volkswagen joint venture. FAW, First Auro Works, is also the owner of the Hongqi brand. Some Hongqi’s were powered by Audi engines but most of ‘m by Chrysler’s 2.2. See here how Hongqi got that American engine.

Standard 1996 CA7220.

Via: FAWcar, Sina, Chinesecars.net.