The production version of Silk-FAW’s hybrid hypercar, the Hongqi S9, will be unveiled at the Milan Design Week in early September, reports Automotive News. Unveiling the Sino-American car in the fashion and design capital of the world makes sense. Silk-FAW has been fairly aggressive with their positioning, taking aim at the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini by setting up shop in the Emilia-Romagna region — otherwise known as Italy’s Motor Valley.
If that wasn’t enough, Silk-FAW recruited Ex-Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa as special advisor to the executive chairman and member of the senior advisory board. They also appointed former Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and BMW executive Roberto Fedeli as their new chief technology officer. These high profile hires make up just two of many others targetted for their experience with Italian luxury and performance marques.
Silk-FAW’s first car, the Hongqi S9 Hypercar, has been styled by Walter De Silva, another influential automotive name that has penned many well-received Italian cars, such as the Lamborghini Egoista, and Alfa Romeo 156. In April, the Hongqi Hypercar was shown to showgoers at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show. With the shown configuartion the Hongqi S9 will get from 0–100 km/h in just 1.9 seconds. From there, it will go all the way up to 400 km/h. It features a 1,400 hp hybrid driveline that pairs a V8 turbo engine with three electric motors.
The S9 will likely be priced to compete with the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Pagani. Automotive News reports it will likely have a starting price of US$ 1.8 million (€ 1.5 million). Only 99 will be made, making them ultra-exclusive. The relatively new joint venture between Silk EV of the U.S. and FAW of China, plans to sell an ambitious 1 million units under the Hongqi nameplate by 2030, which, by then, will include a diverse range of luxury vehicles.
