Hongqi is now officially in Singapore

Hongqi has marked its official arrival in Singapore with the opening of its new showroom at 19 Leng Kee Road, along with the launch of the Hongqi E-HS9 luxury electric SUV.

Having announced its intention to enter the Singapore market at this year’s Singapore Motorshow, Chinese luxury marque Hongqi has now officially arrived on our shores, and it marked the occasion with a glitzy event to commemorate the opening of its showroom at 19 Leng Kee Road, as well as the launch of its first model here, the E-HS9 luxury electric SUV.

Hongqi is part of Chinese state-owned carmaker First Automotive Works (FAW), and it has an illustrious history as a producer of cars for the Chinese elite, dating all the way back to its establishment in 1958.

Its storied reputation has seen it regarded as the Chinese equivalent of Rolls-Royce back in its domestic market, and it also provides state cars for Chinese government officials.

Represented by Eurokars Elite, a subsidiary of the Eurokars Group, Hongqi’s presence in Singapore represents a major milestone for the brand, as it is the first time that Hongqi has retailed its cars in a right-hand-drive (RHD) market, with Hongqi hoping to leverage on Eurokars’ expertise to spearhead its expansion to the region and even further RHD markets like Australia and the UK.

Chen Bin, deputy general manager of China FAW Group and vice president of Hongqi Operation Committee, said, “Our entry into Southeast Asia with Eurokars Group is a strategic alliance between two entities that share an unwavering commitment to automotive perfection. Eurokars Elite has masterfully brought the soul of Hongqi to life in a way that resonates with those who appreciate authentic prestige and innovation. This showroom is a world-class statement of our global ambitions, featuring our flagship E-HS9 as a powerful expression of Eastern design and modern innovation.”

The new Hongqi showroom is designed around the philosophy of ‘Shang Zhi Yi’ (尚致意), which blends the elements of ‘new nobility’, ‘new delicacy’, and ‘new feelings’ to create a sophisticated space.

Visitors can expect to see heritage walls that highlight the history of the brand, alongside modern oriental displays and bespoke furniture to truly evoke and bring out the ‘Eastern Luxury’ vibe that Hongqi evokes.

Alongside the showroom opening, Hongqi also officially launched the E-HS9 for sale here at the event. Measuring in at 5,209mm long, 2,010mm wide, 1,713mm tall, and with a wheelbase of 3,110mm, the Hongqi E-HS9 strikes an imposing presence upon all who come across it.

Highlights include no less than two 15.6-inch touchscreen displays on the dashboard, one each for the driver and passenger. There is also a high-end 16-speaker Bose sound system, as well as the usual ventilated and massage seats that are expected for a car in this segment.

Power comes from two electric motors that combine to produce a total output of 492bhp and 606Nm of torque, allowing it to go from 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds, despite weighing in at a hefty 2,636kg.

The E-HS9 features a 120kWh ternary lithium-ion battery, which is the largest capacity battery of any passenger car currently sold in Singapore. Its WLTP driving range is rated at 570km, and with its 400-volt architecture, the battery can take on a maximum DC charging speed of 140kW, allowing it to go from 10 to 80 percent charge in 48 minutes.

Pricing for the Hongqi E-HS9 starts at $500,000 with COE, and its unique positioning means that it has few direct rivals within its price range, with many other models that offer a similar level of luxury retailing for nearly double the price.