Spy Shots of the Hongqi H5, showing that the new sedan is almost ready for the Chinese car market. The H5 debuted on last month’s Shanghai Auto Show and will hit the market next month. It looks rather good in this gray color scheme, with gray wheels and with the enormous grille up nose.
The H5 based on the Mazda 6 Atenza that is made in China by FAW-Mazda. FAW, or First Auto Works, is also the owner of the Hongqi brand. Hongqi added a new front, a new rear, a slightly different interior, and new badges; and a new car was born.
Price will start at 188.900 yuan and end at 419.800 yuan. The Hongqi H5 will be positioned below the Hongqi L7. There also is some overlap with the Besturn B90, which is based on the previous generation Mazda 6. Besturn is another brand owned by FAW.
We can confirm one engine: FAW’s own 1.8 turbo with 188hp and 250nm, mated to a six-speed tiptronic gearbox. Other engines will likely include a Mazda-sourced 158hp 2.0 and FAW’s 204hp 2.0 turbo.
Size:
Hongqi H5: 4935/1840/1470, and wheelbase is 2870.
Mazda 6: 4870/1840/1450, and wheelbase is 2830.
The dashboard is FAW designed and has no similarities to the Mazda. The traditional Golden Sunflower badge in the middle of the wheel. Hongqi has been using this badge on steering wheels and wheels since the late 1950’s. The touch screen stands atop the center stack and seems 10 or 11 inches in diameter.
Analogue dials with a large TFT in between.
T-shaped gear levers are fast becoming a new trend in China. Start button on the left, open-the-trunk button on the right.
Wood panels on the center tunnel and doors, small wood strip on dash.
Spoiler neatly integrated in trunk lid.
And what a massive grille. Hongqi red flag hood ornament is missing here (compare), but you can see the holes for the screws.
