Spy Shots of the Hongqi H5, showing that the new
sedan is almost ready for the Chinese car market. The H5 debuted on Shanghai
Auto Show and will hit the market next month. It looks rather good in this gray
color scheme, with gray wheels and with the enormous grille up nose.
The H5 based on the Mazda 6 Atenza that is made in
China by FAW-Mazda. FAW, or First Auto Works, is also the owner of the Hongqi brand. Hongqi
added a new front, a new rear, a slightly different interior, and new badges;
and a new car was born.
Price will start at 188.900 yuan and end at 419.800
yuan. The Hongqi H5 will be positioned below the Hongqi L7. There also is some overlap with the Besturn B90, which is based on the previous generation
Mazda 6. Besturn is another brand owned by
FAW.
We can confirm one engine with FAW’s own 1.8 turbo with
188 hp and 250nm, mated to a six-speed tiptronic gearbox. Other engines will
likely include a Mazda-sourced 158 hp 2.0 and FAW’s 204 hp 2.0 turbo.
The dashboard is FAW designed and has no
similarities to the Mazda. The traditional Golden Sunflower badge
in the middle of the wheel. Hongqi has been using this badge on steering wheels
and wheels since the late 1950’s. The touch screen stands atop the center stack
and seems 10 or 11 inches in diameter.
