At the end of the 1990’s it was clear that the Chinese state limousine, the Hongqi CA770, designed in 1965, was old fashioned and needed replacement. A last revival was the Jiang Zemin version of 1999, called the “9910 Model”. In fact, five old CA772 armoured cars were rebuilt to make a last appearance during the celebrations of the 50 years existence of the People’s Republic.
Time for new blood.
This is a drawing of the Hongqi HQD concept. The drawing is made by the designer Chang Bing.
It was Chang Bing and his team of the FAW Research Centre who designed the HQD concept. The introduction was at the Shanghai Auto Show of 2005.
The car draw a lot of attention. It was inspired by the international modern state limousines, but kept the old Hongqi marks like the red flags on the bonnet and the front fender.
The day before the opening of the show, the car was hided in a big tent. FAW people invited me to come inside and I can tell you, I was impressed by the courage to design a complete new Hongqi.
But let’s do this step by step. First some design drawings.
The internal code of the car was N506.
Interesting was also the design of the rear seats. Really a masterpiece! Chang Bing offered FAW (and the authorities) three options, full of rich elements of China’s history.
Next was the building of a concept. A Toyota Landcruiser was used to test the chassis.
The concept is ready, at the FAW Research Centre.
And then the introduction at the Shanghai Auto Show 2005. A great surprise!
Technical details: engine CA12GV1, 12-cylinder, 5985cc, 300 kW. Six speed manual. Dimensions: wheelbase 3900mm, LxWxH 6395x 2008x 1720mm. Curb weight 3200kg, the bullet-proof version 4500kg.
Chang Bing could be proud!
Now something unexpected happened. The development of the HQD, renamed HQE, continued.
But a new model, also named HQE appeared. The front end of the car was re-drawn according the style of the old Hongqi models. It was the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic and president Hu Jintao used the car that day in 2009.
FAW and/or the Chinese authorities had chosen a more conservative styling for the front. Chang Bing’s design was too wild! The rear was unchanged.
On the other hand, during the second half of 2010 and the first months of 2011, photos of prototypes of the HQE (first gen.) appeared in the press.
There were little differences, such as the little orange lights behind the front and rear wheels. Note the poor view through the small armored windshield.
Production of the new Hongqi started in 2012. It was a development of the HQE (2nd gen., CA7600J), Hu Jintao’s car, the car now named Hongqi L9.
The HQD concept stayed at the FAW pavilion and is now and then exhibited. The car lost its right eye.
I don’t know what happened with the two HQE prototypes. Maybe they are stored in the FAW Warehouse, maybe they are converted into L9’s by rebuilding the front end, or maybe they have been demolished.
I do remember looking this up but failing, so I am going to ask here, since the 50th and 60th anniversary of the republic has came up in this article. Are there any records of what cars were used on the 55th anniversary, if that took place? Perhaps a Lincoln-based cut open stretched Hongqi?
There were no celebrations of the 55th anniversary, JFK.
Thank you very much!
Erik, l think you should post more about cars. try using wechat. l used to find chinese trucks, old jeeps, and even a article about berliet involved for transporting tanks during the vietnam war!
Yes, Derek, one of the problems with Wechat (and Weibo) is that they require a Chinese mobile phone (number). I will buy a Chinese simcard next spring when I will visit China, for the first time after covid.
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Things like hongqi or ZIL deserved to die as soon as possible since they are not a company , but a monster that sucks blood through administrative way , and only works for privilege level. They are shame of auto industry .
I have OBJECTIONS.Now Hongqi has shifted its production focus to civilian vehicles，and achieved good performance in the market，some cities have already used Hongqi E-MQS as their taxi service，this brand is of great significance to the Chinese automotive industry and cannot die.
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