Update: ‘Hongqi E-HS9 in Norway’ section updated.
FAW-Hongqi introduced a long-range variant of the Hongqi E-HS9 with a larger 120 kWh battery at the 2021 Auto Guangzhou (19-28 Nov 2021). The long-range E-HS9 is now on sale in China, the company’s home market.
The E-HS9 with the 120 kWh battery pack’s European launch could take place later this year. The first batch of around 400 units of the E-HS9 (with 84 kWh and 99 kWh battery capacities) have reached Norway, and deliveries are expected to commence this month (January 2022). Norwegian auto distributor Motor Gruppen, which has tied up with Hongqi to sell the E-HS9 in the country, has received around 500 orders for the electric SUV.
Hongqi E-HS9 Long Range Specification & Price
Employing a 120 kWh battery, the E-HS9 is available in two range variants offering 660 km and 690 km (range based on NEDC). This compares with the existing 84 kWh E-HS9 offering 460 km and the 99 kWh E-HS9’s 510 km (all NEDC numbers).
The 120 kWh Hongqi E-HS9 with 660 km of range gets a 160 kW motor up front and a 245 kW motor at the rear (similar to the 99 kWh E-HS9) while the 690 km E-HS9 gets 160 kW motors at both axles (similar to the 84 kWh model).
Hongqi has launched two models of the E-HS9 and four variants of these two models combined. The 660 km E-HS9 comes with a price tag of CNY 779,800 for the top-spec version, whereas the basic version is priced at CNY 689,800. The 690 km E-HS9 costs CNY 619,800 for the higher version, whereas the basic model, costs CNY 589,800.
Hongqi E-HS9 features
FAW Hongqi makes the E-HS9 in four-, six-, and seven-seat versions. It offers the flagship SUV with exterior features like Matrix LED headlights, flush door handles, 22-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, and a two-tone paint scheme.
On the inside, the E-HS9 packs features like six screens, a four-zone climate control system, a PM2.5 air filter, front seats electrically adjustable front seats with massage function, electrically adjustable second-row seats, and a 16-speaker sound system. There are four screens in the front, consisting of a digital instrument cluster, an infotainment display, a passenger display, and a climate control display. The other screens are part of the rear-seat entertainment system, integrated into the front seats’ backrests.
For a comfortable ride, an air suspension is available in the E-HS9. Intelligent features are a big draw to Chinese EV buyers, and FAW-Hongqi has taken care of that aspect well. Hands-free parking, face recognition, Augmented Reality Head-Up Display (AR HUD), digital key, and several more smart features are available in the full-size SUV. Driver Emotion Monitor (DEM), Driver Status Monitoring (DSM), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), and Cross Reverse Warning are the main safety features.
Hongqi E-HS9 in Norway
In Norway, the Hongqi E-HS9 is available in Comfort, Premium, and Exclusive trims, for a price of NOK 619,900, NOK 699,900, and NOK 779,900, respectively. The Comfort and Premium trims are seven-seaters, and the Exclusive trim is a six-seater.
| Aspect | E-HS9 Comfort Specification | E-HS9 Premium Specification | E-HS9 Exclusive Specification |
| Battery Pack Capacity | 84 kWh (total)/76.5 kWh (useable) | 99 kWh (total)/90 kWh (useable) | 99 kWh (total)/90 kWh (useable) |
| Drivetrain Layout | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| No. of Motors | Two | Two | Two |
| Combined Power | 435 PS | 551 PS | 551 PS |
| 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) | ≤6.5 seconds | 4.9 seconds | 4.9 seconds |
| Range | 396 km (246 miles) | 465 km (289 miles) | 465 km (289 miles) |
Customer deliveries of the (regular) E-HS9 in Norway began in January 2022. TopElectricSUV.com understands that 232 units have gone to Norwegian customers from the start of 2022 till the first week of February. This makes E-HS9 the 12th best-selling car (not just an electric car) in the country.
The long-range E-HS9 could launch in Norway later this year (an announcement in this regard has not been made), while other Hongqi products including small and medium SUVs and sedans should follow based on customer interest, as noted by the brand in a press release dated 11 October 2021.
We believe Hongqi E-HS9 will quickly build its brand ecosystem in Europe around the center of Norway.
Xu Liuping, Chairman of FAW, in an announcement on October 11, 2021
Hongqi sales in 2021
Hongqi is emerging as a Chinese luxury brand, suggests a report from autohome.com.cn. The company set a new monthly sales record in December 2021 – 39,100 units. Its annual sales volume in 2021 was above 300,000 units, which marked year-over-year growth of more than 50%. The H9 contributed more than 40,000 units in 2021, while the E-HS9’s annual sales were 5,400 cars. On 24 December 2021, cumulative sales of the brand reached a new milestone – 600,000 units.
2022 could be a bigger year for Hongqi if the supply chain issues and the spread of COVID-19 don’t impact the business. This year, it could also look forward to improving its exports business by announcing expansion plans in Europe.
Featured Image – Autohome.com.cn
A Mechanical Engineer by qualification, I started out as an automotive editor of a regional magazine in 2011. In my 11 years of experience in creating automotive content, I’ve traveled around the world to review, analyze and report on the world’s top electrified cars.