Flags on towers: Chinese premium has shown its face
The model range of the Chinese premium brand Hongqi ("Red Banner") updated the flagship HS7 crossover. The entire crossover line was brought to Tatarstan for the test, which made it possible to compare the cars with each other and draw conclusions. What surprised the seven—seat flagship and what it has in common with the Volga is in the Izvestia article.
Pennant for everyone
Multimedia systems of all three models report that there are "four" today. This funny typo was noticed last year during the presentation of the HS3 crossover and has not yet been fixed. One can, of course, speculate about the inflexibility and bureaucracy of the owner of the "Red Banner" state-owned FAW company, if not for one thing. Just seven years ago, the Hongqi brand did not have crossovers at all, and its large black sedans with a red pennant on the hood were mainly carried by the Chinese party nomenclature. The largest and most expensive limousine is still not sold to the general public — it's not enough to pay an impressive amount, you still need to successfully pass a political literacy and trustworthiness test.
The HS7 accelerates from zero to a hundred in 8.8 seconds, with a top speed of 210 km/h. The stated average consumption is 8.2 liters per 100 km.
At the same time, the number of mass models is growing. In modern China, even a nomenclature brand has to make money. Moreover, there is something to earn. Hongqi is a rare case of a brand with a name and history in China. It is not for nothing that every car dealership of the brand indicates in large letters that it has existed since 1958. And the hieroglyphs "Red Banner" on the stern are facsimiles of Chairman Mao himself.
We took the example of Volkswagen
The path to the crossover segment was not easy, unsuccessful models went under the knife without regret, but in less than five years it was possible to form a line of models of different sizes, and even looking uniform, which is rare for the Chinese automotive industry.
All three test vehicles are equipped with a 2-liter four-cylinder engine (245 hp and 380 Nm) paired with an 8-speed automatic
Initially, the flagship HS7 was built on a platform with a longitudinal powertrain, plug-in front-axle drive and a V6 turbo engine. However, then the modular approach prevailed, probably "spied on" by the VW concern, with which FAW works closely. Moreover, the Germans have "riveted" a huge number of crossovers of different sizes on a unified platform and are preparing to discontinue production of the premium Touareg.
The new "seven" is unified with the younger Hongqi crossovers. It turned out to be a "matryoshka doll": a large crossover, a smaller crossover and the smallest one — all the same from the face. The overall style was coined by former Rolls-Royce designer Giles Taylor and is simply called Family Face. Belonging to the Hongqi family is immediately determined by the massive shiny radiator grille with vertical bars, fused with the headlights and the red pennant. In the curves of the sidewalls of the "seven", the flag fluttering in the wind can be read and causes involuntary nostalgia for the USSR. This is probably how the new Volga could look if it was based on the style of the 3111 model.
Clap harder
The unification affected not only the design, but also the "insides" — all cars have a front-wheel drive platform with the engine deployed across and a clutch connecting the rear axle. All have McPherson struts in the front and a multi-link rear, while the suspensions differ markedly in details. The two—liter turbo engine (245 hp and 380 Nm) is the same for everyone and is paired with a classic 8-speed automatic. The flagship HS7, as the largest and heaviest, has a hybrid "appendage" that helps accelerate.
The dimensions of the HS7 are 4995×1960×1760 mm, the wheelbase is 2920 mm. The declared ground clearance is 200 mm.
Regardless of the size of the crossover, heavy doors need to be slammed with a bang, and it doesn't work the first time. On the one hand, closers would not hurt, on the other hand, the solidity of the design is visible. Apparently, they didn't skimp on metal here. The power frame mainly uses high-strength steels. The manufacturer also promises that the exterior body panels will be double galvanized.
Copper and eucalyptus
The interiors are designed in a common style, alien to the modern minimalism of Chinese hybrids. Multi-textured plastic, leather with contrasting stitching, metal, wood, glossy black "piano" varnish. In the flagship HS7, "copper" has also been added to the silver metal in the air ducts. It turned out to be "rich", but somewhat gaudy. The interior of the seven gives the impression of being old—fashioned - an ordinary, rather than a flattened steering wheel with a round hub, the central display is integrated in the center of the panel, and not made as a separate tablet.
There are three HS7 interior color combinations: in addition to black, there is a black-red and red-white version. There are also three options for shades of wooden inserts — glossy gray, matte gray and glossy brown.
But the tree in the decoration is the most real — exotic European eucalyptus. In the basic configuration, the wooden panels are matte, in the top version they are glossy. High-quality nappa leather covers the seats of all crossovers, with the exception of the basic HS3 version. The raw materials are from the international Bader company with headquarters in Germany, the main supplier of leather for the automotive industry. The audio system is from the well—known Danish company Dynaudio, which previously collaborated with Volvo and VW.
What surprised me about Hongqi HS7
Suitcases that had previously easily fitted into the smaller HS3 suddenly found it difficult to fit into the trunk of the HS5. That's because the rear passengers have a substantial amount of space in the "five" — there are almost more seats than in the second row of the HS7, and the plump sofa is more comfortable.
In the "seven" you would expect to see separate "captain's" chairs in the center, but instead a simple and flat sofa with manual adjustments. A version with separate seats was shown, but in front-wheel drive and hybrid versions. I was also surprised by the bare plastic instead of pile upholstery on the third row, combined with veneer trim on the backs of the front seats. The "gallery" itself is full-fledged, comfortably accommodating two adults.
The best is ahead
The second row of the HS7 still wins due to the sum of the qualities — a flat floor, folding tables, a separate climate zone and double glazing of the rear doors in the top configuration. His trunk is huge, even with the third-row seats raised, there is still room for luggage.
The front seats are equipped with ventilation in addition to heating, surprisingly there is no massage. Even the passenger seat has a height adjustment of the cushion and an adjustment of the lumbar support. In the driver's seat, among other things, you can adjust the angle of the cushion and its length. In general, the maximum number of benefits is offered for the driver, including several design options for the digital dashboard — from classic dials to fashionable minimalism.
At the same time, the huge central display is similar to Soviet television — there is little entertainment and not much to turn on. Android and Apple support, available on some test vehicles, is still an experiment. But you can spy on passengers using the interior camera.
Similarities and differences
The heavy "viscous" steering wheel is a family trait of all three cars. HS3 is the smallest, lightest and most combat—ready, the two-liter turbo engine of the top version is enough for the eyes, the suspension is dense. The HS5 also drives fast, and for cars with the maximum configuration, the suspension stiffness can be changed. However, I didn't like the operation of the electronically controlled shock absorbers — either rocking or jolting. The HS7, whose suspension stiffness can also be changed on top-end cars, is better tuned.
The HS7 can be ordered in a two-tone version with black uprights and a roof.
The sport mode fights the longitudinal swing well and at the same time does not clamp the suspension too much. The two—liter engine, despite the hybrid boost buzzing during acceleration, accelerates the car less quickly - still it weighs more than two tons. It consumes more gasoline than on the younger crossovers, and is too loud at high speed. Tire noise, by the way, also penetrates the interior.
The four-wheel drive on the cars works quite adequately, but their geometric patency is not suitable for serious outings into nature.
How much does it cost?
Hongqi has recently entered the crossover segment, and although it is making some progress, the brand has something to strive for. The flagship HS7 will probably be inferior to some competitors in the list of options and dynamics. At the same time, it is a large, roomy and thoroughly made crossover, and its interior is noticeably distinguished by natural finishing materials. The HS7 is noticeably cheaper than other Chinese premium. The car in the initial configuration, without adaptive shock absorbers, double glazing and with simpler seats is still offered for 4.8 million rubles, the top version will cost 5 million.
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