This
is our first look at the all-new Hongqi H7, a high-end luxury sedan that looks
leaps and bounds better than the outgoing model. The H7 is considered a
mid-size premium competitor targeting the likes of the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz
E-Class, even though it’s bigger than both at around 5.1 meters long.
A
series of teaser images published by the Chinese car manufacturer recently
offered a glimpse of the car and now, a single image showing the car without
any camouflage has surfaced on numerous local forums.
Wearing
a very Bentley Mulsanne-like two-tone paint scheme combining a silver (or rose
gold) top half and a black lower half, the first thing that jumps out at you
regarding the H7 are the slim LED headlights with incorporated LED daytime
running lights. Elsewhere we can see dedicated fog lights and a huge cascading
front grille similar in size and style to the grille of the Rolls-Royce
Phantom. We should also point out here just how wide the car looks in this photo.
Teasers
of the new H7’s rear end have revealed that the car’s rear window will stretch
back right to the tail-end of the car. Speaking of the rear, it will be
dominated by complex LED taillights that are connected by a single light bar.
In the teaser sketches, we can’t help but notice the similar it feels to the
Cadillac XTS.
Chinese
media outlets report that the Hongqi H7 will be powered by either the company’s
2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a more powerful V6 powertrain.
Whatever the case may be, both these engines are said to have been updated to
improve fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust emissions. Other mechanical upgrades will include a
new suspension system to give the sedan a plush ride to rival those of its
German counterparts.
The
new H7 is expected to make its official debut within the next couple of months,
before entering production and going on sale in China in spring of 2020.
