Amazing images of a new Hongqi sedan so far known by
its N501 code name. The N501 hasn’t been officially launched, it wasn’t on the
Beijing Auto Show, and it isn’t on Hongqi’s website.
And that would be shame because the N501 appears to
be a good looking car. As always there is lots of speculation about where it is
based on. Hongqi doesn’t have its own platforms. Size wise, it fits between the
Hongqi H7 and the Hongqi L5.
The most likely candidate seems to be the platform
of the Audi A6L, which is made by FAW-Volkswagen. FAW is also the owner of the
Hongqi brand. In the 1990’s and 2000’s Hongqi sold a wide range of Audi
100-based cars, so a new tie-up with Audi is surely possible.
The interior looks very much like the LS5’s, with a
mid-mounted instrument panel and a touch screen low in the center stack.
What powers the N501 is unclear as well. Earlier on
we heard it would get a 402 hp 4.0 liter V8 turbo, likely based on a Toyota
unit. This engine powers the LS5 SUV, and the L5 will get it too. Hongqi can
have this engine because of the FAW-Toyota joint venture.
Cr : Carnewschina
