Most of you may remember Hongqi from its 20-foot long, V12-powered L7 sedan, but at the Shanghai Auto Show, the Chinese brand presented its take on a luxury SUV named the LS5.
Hongqi, which in Chinese, means Red Flag, is the country’s oldest car manufacturer and initially built cars only for the Chinese Communist Party’s highest-ranking members, before its current owner, the FAW Group, started catering to the needs of neo-rich civilians as well (the retro-modern L5 costs some $800,000).
The production-intent LS5 gives China’s “haves” their very own locally-flavored, -built and-badged luxury SUV with the styling feeling something like Beijing Jeep meets older generation Range Rover.
Measuring 5,198mm long (2046 in.), 2,098mm (82.6 in.) wide and 1,890mm (74.4 in.) tall, the LS5 rides on a 3,060mm (120.4 in.) wheelbase that should provide more than ample space for rear passengers. The downside to these generous exterior dimensions is that the LS5 tips the scales at a grossly overweight 2,850kg or nearly 6,300 pounds.
Local media reported than the SUV is powered by a new twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivering 381-horses and 530Nm of peak torque, paired to an eight-speed automatic driving all four wheels for a claimed 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 8.1 seconds and a top velocity of 220km/h (137mph).
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