While the coronavirus crippled China
through the first three months of the year, the country is gradually coming out
of lockdown as the threat of Covid-19 begins to ease. With this in mind, it is
being reported that local car manufacturer Hongqi will commence production of
its E115 SUV this year.
No specific launch date for the vehicle
has been announced but China’s Auto163 claims Hongqi intends on building 51,500
units in the first six months of production, an ambitious target considering the
slowing demand for EVs in China.
The Hongqi E115 was first showcased at the
Guangzhou Auto Show last year before celebrating its European premiere at the
Frankfurt Auto Show. However, the vehicle showcased was only a concept and
we’ve yet to see the final production model. In all likelihood, it will look
very similar to the concept. The design comes from the mind of Gilles Taylor
who used to work at Rolls-Royce.
It will measure 5,160mm long, 1,730mm wide
with a 3,250mm wheelbase. Powering the E115 will be a pair of electric motors
with one driving the front wheels with 218 hp and 350 Nm while a second will
drive the rear axle and produce 299 hp and 420 Nm that will reportedly allow it
to hit 100km/h within 4 seconds. It will be equipped with a 92.4kWh lithium
battery offering a rumored driving range of over 600 km.
In addition to news that the all-electric
SUV is just around the corner, it has also been revealed that order books have
opened for the Hongqi H9, the marque’s flagship luxury sedan which premiered at
the start of the year, PC Auto reports. It will be available in seven different
exterior color themes and offered with a turbocharged 2.0-liter with 252 hp and
a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with 272 hp.
