Chinese luxury car brand Hongqi has officially launched in Australia with the arrival of its flagship E-HS9 electric SUV, a six-seat, dual-motor vehicle boasting a large 120 kWh battery and a price tag of just under $150,000 before on-road costs.

The brand, which will be known as HQ in Australia, was established in China in 1958 and is owned by state-owned automotive giant FAW Group.

Hongqi translates to “red flag”, perhaps an unfortunate name for a car brand looking to establish itself in a new market. It is best known for producing luxury limousines used by Chinese government officials, including President Xi Jinping, but has expanded into electric vehicles as part of its push into international markets.

The E-HS9, was designed under the direction of former Rolls-Royce design chief Giles Taylor. It will be the first model offered locally, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin on January 18, 2027.

The Driven attended the official unveiling of the E-HS9 in Sydney this week, and like a Rolls Royce, it’s a big vehicle. Measuring 5.2 metres long and just over two metres wide,it weighs a substantial 2,636 kg, putting it among the larger electric SUVs available in Australia.

Power comes from a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system producing a claimed 411 kW and 606 Nm of torque, with acceleration from 0–100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h.

A 120 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery delivers a claimed WLTP driving range of 548 km.

Despite its large battery, the E-HS9 uses a 400-volt electrical architecture, with DC fast charging limited to 140 kW.

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