China-based premium automaker Hongqi has begun road tests of its E001 sedan, which debuted a while ago as a futuristic concept car. The prototype is expected to debut with swappable CATL batteries and offer up to 800 km of range.
Based on the spy photos, the production
car is similar to the concept version in terms of body style and lighting. Per
CarNewsChina, the cabin is another matter: reportedly, it looks much simpler in
the production version with a traditional steering wheel and other details. The
publication also says that, by the look of it, the exterior design has been
finalized and Hongqi is putting some final polish on the drivetrain and
chassis.
The technical details remain to be
revealed. According to the official press release, the prototype had dual
electric motors jointly rated at 620 PS and 756 Nm of torque. Its theoretical launch time was estimated at 3.9 seconds. Hongqi
plans to start sales of the E001 in China in November. Other regions, including
Europe, are also in the waiting queue, but the company gives no estimates.
