Hongqi has officially entered the automotive market in Singapore with the opening of its new showroom along Leng Kee Road, marking the start of its retail operations in the country after making its local debut at the Motor Show in January, where it showcased three models.

The 4,521 square foot facility has been designed according to the philosophy of 'shang zhi yi', with the space incorporating the concepts of 'new nobility', 'new feelings' and 'new delicacy'. The showroom includes heritage walls, modern oriental displays, bespoke furniture and a signature fragrance throughout the facility.

Hongqi is a subsidiary of First Automotive Works (FAW), a state-owned carmaker. The brand is China's oldest car manufacturer, having produced its first model in 1958.

Although Hongqi is a newcomer to the luxury segment in Singapore, the brand is known in its domestic market for its range of luxury models that compete with marques such as Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The brand is often referred to as a 'Chinese Rolls-Royce'.

Singapore is the first market to receive right-hand-drive versions of the Hongqi E-HS9, which leads the brand's entry into the country.

The E-HS9 is a six-seater, full-size electric SUV. The SUV measures 5,209 mm in length, 2,010 mm in width, has a wheelbase of 3,110 mm, and stands 1,713 mm tall.

The driver is provided with an 8.8-inch instrument cluster, along with two 15.6-inch touchscreen displays, one for the driver and another for the front passenger. A 16-speaker Bose audio system is offered as standard, while the front seats are equipped with ventilation and massage functions.

The second row features two individual seats with four-way adjustment. Although ventilation is included as standard, massage functions are not available for the second-row seats. Access to the third-row bench is provided through the aisle between the second-row seats.

Safety features include Roll-Over Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection and Active Braking.

Powering the E-HS9 are two electric motors producing a combined output of up to 362 kW (492 PS) and 606 Nm of torque. Hongqi claims a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 5.5 seconds for the SUV, which weighs 2,636 kg.

The electric motors are powered by a 120 kWh ternary lithium-ion battery, which is currently the largest-capacity battery fitted to a passenger car in Singapore. The battery provides the E-HS9 with a WLTP-certified driving range of 570 km. Featuring a 400-volt electrical architecture, the SUV supports charging speeds of up to 11 kW for AC charging and 140 kW for DC charging. Using DC fast charging, the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in 48 minutes.

At the time of writing, the E-HS9 is priced from SGD 500,000 (US$ 390,280), including the Certificate of Entitlement (COE).

Hongqi's official agent in Singapore is Eurokars Elite, a subsidiary of Eurokars Group, which is the largest multi-brand automotive distributor in Singapore. Motor industry executive Karsono Kwee, who founded the company in 1985, serves as its Executive Chairman.

Speaking at the showroom's opening, Chen Bin, Deputy General Manager of China FAW Group Co. Ltd. and Vice-President of Hongqi Operating Committee, said: "Our entry into Southeast Asia with Eurokars Group is a strategic alliance between two entities that share a commitment to automotive development.

"Eurokars Elite has introduced the Hongqi brand in a manner intended to appeal to customers seeking prestige and innovation. This showroom reflects our international expansion plans and features the flagship E-HS9 as a representation of Eastern design and modern technology."

Charmain Kwee, Group Executive Director of Eurokars Group, said: "This showroom is intended to serve not only as a retail space, but also as a location that reflects the heritage of the 'Red Flag' brand alongside its focus on sustainable mobility.

"Working with the team at FAW Group has enabled the creation of an environment that combines traditional craftsmanship with developments in intelligent luxury mobility."