This is the Hongqi E-HS3, a cool electric crossover SUV from China. I saw it at a Hongqi dealer in the cold Beijing winter in late December 2020. It looked great in red with its huge shiny grille, the Hongqi hood ornament, and pretty alloy wheels.
Hongqi, or Red Flag, is probably China’s most famous automotive brand, owned by the First Auto Works (FAW) conglomerate. The brand is best known for its large state limousines and Audi-based sedans, but in recent years they are increasingly focused on mid- and high end electric cars.
The Hongqi E-HS3 is based on a dedicated electric vehicle platform. There are two versions available: the single motor E-HS3 55f with an output of 155 hp and 340 Nm. Top speed is 160 km/h and 0-100 takes 10 seconds. Battery packs 52.5 kWh for a 407 kilometer NEDC range.
The second version is the one we have here; the twin-motor E-HS3 55d a system output of 310 hp and 680 Nm. Top speed is still 160 but 0-100 takes just 6 seconds. Battery is 52.2 kWh again but range is a bit shorter with 344 kilometers NEDC, mainly caused by the extra weight of the extra motor.
The interior is very classy with high end materials like real wood and real leather. The main screen is 10.1 inch and the instrument panel is even larger with 12.3 inch. The third screen in the lower center stack controls the air conditioning. The E-HS3 is equipped with a Bose sound system with eight speakers, including ‘360°‘ surround speakers in the headrests.
Design is the E-HS3 is very nice, clean and with a hint of sporty. It also doesn’t really look like any of the other Hongqi cars of the moment. Hongqi, or so it seems, it still looking for a clear new design direction. They have hired several high-profile designers over the years but there still isn’t much consistency. See for example the Hongqi HS5, the Hongqi LS7, or the Hongqi E-QM5.
Note the building in the background. That’s the Hongqi dealer. The black characters write 中国一车, Zhongguo Yiche, China First Auto. First Auto is an abbreviation of First Auto Works. In the past, many Chinese brands added ‘China’ in front of their brand names, but nowadays it is very rare. Hongqi is probably the only brand that still does this on passenger cars, although it is still quite common for commercial vehicle brands.
The same 中国一车 badge on the car.
The Hongqi (红旗) badge in Chinese handwriting.
The type badging with a blue E and a red d.
The ‘grille’ is completely closed and the hood ornament is small compared to petrol-powered Hongqi cars, likely to keep wind resistance down. Price for the Hongqi E-HS3 55d, which is not an easy name to say or remember, neither in English nor in Chinese, starts at 265.800 yuan ($41.800), which seems a good deal for the amount of car and power you get.