China’s oldest and most luxurious brand, Hongqi, has several intriguing vehicles in its lineup, but none are as weird to look at as its next model, named the L1. Unlike other Hongqi models, it is a premium Chinese offering in the popular large sedan segment, but it looks quite different. The front end of the L1 is odd. These images from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology show the new Hongqi sports a massive front grille with chrome slats and a thick chrome surround, with inspiration seemingly taken from the land of Rolls-Royce and its suite of massive grilles.
Hongqi’s designers have paired this
expansive grille with headlights that bear a striking resemblance to those of
the second-generation Ford Scorpio, one of the most controversially styled Blue
Oval models ever offered in Europe. While these lights are more intricate and
feature updated lighting technologies, their overall shape closely mirrors that
of the Scorpio, albeit slightly taller. The unconventional design details at
the front continue with a lower grille painted black and adorned with silver
accents arranged in a complex geometric pattern.
The rest of the Hongqi L1 looks quite
stately, with its profile reminiscent of Rolls Royce sedans and the rear
bearing a strong resemblance to Cadillac sedans. Dominating the rear fascia is
chrome trim on the tailgate, stretching between the two large taillights. There
is also a full-width reflector/third brake light incorporated into the chrome
trim at the base of the bumper.
It has been pictured with a selection of
different 19-inch wheels and is quite lengthy, measuring 5,353 mm long with a 3,260 mm wheelbase. It also stands 1,511 mm tall and is 1,998 mm wide. Powering the L1 are two
available hybrid engines incorporating a ternary lithium battery. The lineup
starts with a 3.0-liter V6 producing 389 hp, while the top-end option
is a 4.0-liter V8 rated for 483 hp. Both engines are paired with
automatic transmissions.
An official launch date for the car has
not yet been announced but there’s a good chance it will be showcased at next
week’s Beijing Auto Show.
