The 2019 Shanghai
Auto Show plays host to myriad of brand names and models you’ve likely never
heard of. Among them, is the H5 Sports made by Hongqi, a local carmaker that’s
mostly known for creating high-end limos and sedans for state officials.
The H5 Sports is no government car. In fact, it’a mid-size sports sedan,
offered as a more dynamic alternative to the regular Hongqi H5.
Compared to the
regular model, the H5 Sports gets a bevy of exterior upgrades, including new
front and rear bumpers, reworked grille, glossy black lower trim and
boot-mounted spoiler, and quad exhaust tips. The most evident feature of the
car shown in Shanghai is the bright yellow paintwork contrasted by a black roof
and other darkened elements mentioned above.
Power comes from a
1.8-liter turbocharged engine, rated at 178 hp and 250 Nm of torque. The unit is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, like in
the regular H5, and the car is front-wheel drive. Both the H5 and H5 Sport are
based on the same platform as the Mazda6.
The non-Sports
model is 4,945 mm long, 1,845 mm wide and 1,470 mm tall, with a 2,875 mm long wheelbase. This means that it’s 80 mm longer, 5 mm wider and 20 mm taller than the third-gen
Mazda6 Sedan, whereas the wheelbase is 35 mm longer.
