Called the Hongqi L5 sedan, produced by the state-owned auto concern FAW, the most expensive car made in China... In addition, two new models are on the way - the L7 and L9 - each with a unique V12 under the hood.
Twenty years ago in China, whose population already exceeded one billion people, only 1 million cars were produced per year, and even then for the needs of the army, industry and parades. A decade ago, Chinese cars appeared for sale to the civilian population, and were not taken seriously around the world. Five years ago, Chinese cars and inexpensive trucks began to be actively bought even in Western countries. And now some are ready to buy chinese car for 800 thousand dollars. We are talking about the Hongqi L5 limousine - the most expensive representative of the Chinese auto industry.
The prototype car, which will be discussed below, was developed by FAW engineers in cooperation with german company Magna Steyr. The development team included specialists from Austria, England and the USA, under the leadership of Beijing.
In 2005, representatives of the plant arranged a special display, but the body design did not suit the communist elite. As a result, the exterior of the car was redone. Now the entire front end is completely borrowed from its predecessor - Hongqi CA770 Red Flag - a limousine, which was once driven by Secretary General Mao Zedong. The legend was produced practically unchanged from 1958 to the 80s.
General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Deng Xiaoping at a military parade in Beijing, 1984
In turn, Hongqi CA770 with its features resembles ZiM-12 and GAZ-13 "Chaika", especially in front. On the hood, as on the ZiM, a nameplate with a waving red banner was placed, which fully corresponds to the name of the Chinese brand.
Limousine GAZ-13 "Chaika"
The similarity between the cars is explained by the fact that in 1949 Joseph Stalin gave Mao Zedong a ZiS-110 limousine, which he drove at home from 1959 to 1966. By the way, in China this car is revered almost as a shrine, because the names of Stalin and Zedong in the country are still associated with the birth of the Chinese automotive industry, which has developed to such a scale that it now produces up to 30 million cars a year.
Assembly shop for ZiS cars (after Stalin's death, the plant was renamed ZiL)
In 1954, Nikita Khrushchev presented the Chinese leader with a white GAZ-12, which made the Great Helmsman very happy. The matter was not limited to gifts, which were sorted out to the smallest detail by Beijing engineers. Moscow, trying to strengthen its eastern ally, took seriously its industrialization.
GAZ-12 (ZiM-12)
In total, during the period of turbulent Soviet-Chinese friendship, about 200 highly qualified specialists from the MosZiS were sent to the PRC, and about 600 engineers went from Beijing to Moscow for training, as a result of which on October 15, 1956, “ Car factory No. 1 "- FAW (First Automotive Works). Actually, the Changchun Automobile Plant was, in fact, a copy of the Moscow plant. At the new plant, the Chinese initially produced copies of the Moscow ZiS-150, and on August 1, 1958, the first Khunty (Red Banner), a representative limousine for members of the CPC Politburo, rolled off the assembly line. Between 1966 and 1981, 847 Hongqi CA770s were produced.
Mao Zedong, accompanied by party members, rides along the ranks of revolutionaries during a rally in Beijing, 1966
In the eighties, "Perestroika" began in the USSR and the PRC, however, for a number of reasons, it ended in success only in China. Having gone through a series of economic reforms, as well as the accompanying crises and difficulties, the Chinese managed not only to preserve their industrial potential, which originated in the days of “grandfather Mao,” but also to increase it many times over.
The inhabitants of the Celestial Empire are confidently looking into the future and are sincerely proud of their past, and therefore it is not surprising that this very design was chosen for the top of modern China - the image of the Hongqi CA770 Red Flag car, which has a blood relationship with the Moscow ZiL (the plant, by the way, This year would have marked 100 years if it had not been for the liquidation of the enterprise, including the workshop for the production of unique limousines).
General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping at a military parade in Beijing, 2015
Hongqi L9 is a government limousine in which the General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping and several other top officials of China travel. The land "board number 1" has a length of 6385 millimeters, and under the hood is a V-shaped 12-cylinder engine with a volume of 6.0 liters. The car has the highest protection class for armored limousines and is able to withstand even explosions. The rest of the information is classified at the level of state secrets.
Like the Hongqi L9, the L7 uses a 12-cylinder engine with 6 liters of displacement, and the body is similarly reminiscent of the Hongqi CA770. The changes affected decorative elements and dimensions, which decreased slightly: L7 is 6095 mm long, 2008 mm wide, and 1720 mm high. Rear doors, unlike L9, open like it regular sedan... The car is produced in small batches and exclusively for members of the CPC Central Committee. At the moment, more than three hundred copies have been produced.
As you know, the sub-brand of First Automobile Plant - Hongqi - initially specialized in the production of cars exclusively for the leadership of the People's Republic of China, but now, after loud statements in 2014 about the civilian version, the company is entering the world level. In 2015, the plant produced a simplified version of the "limousine for general secretaries" - Hongqi L5. A small-scale car immediately became one of the most expensive in the world - 810 thousand US dollars per copy. Wen Zhonghua, the owner of a chain of furniture stores in one of the provinces of China, became the first happy owner of the civilian "Hongtsi".
FAW Hongqi L5 body
The design, as we have already found out, has practically not changed since the 60s of the last century, when the same Hongqi ("Hongqi" or "Red Banner") transported Mao Zedong.Hongqi L5 refers to cars top class, or, if according to the European standard, to class sedans "F" ("Luxury cars"), and hence the dimensions are appropriate: length - 5 555 mm; width - 2,018 mm; height - 1,578 mm; wheelbase - 3 435 mm; track –1690/1692 (front / rear). In the unarmored version, the vehicle weighs 3150 kilograms. For comparison: the modern Mercedes-Maybach S600 is 5.2 meters long and weighs 2390 kilograms.
FAW Hongqi L5 salon
FAW believes that Red Flag limousines are capable of competing with such famous carslike Rolls Royce phantom, Bentley, Maybach and some others. It is very difficult to comply with such a loud statement, however, as we can say from photographs, they succeed, interior decoration, luxury and finishing materials: leather, rare woods, semi-precious and precious metals, all kinds of electronic devices.We only note that wheel premium novelty again from the past - tribute to Hongqi CA770. In the center of the steering wheel is a gilded sunflower, which in Chinese symbolism means good luck and long life... In addition, sacred sunflowers can be found on other elements of the exterior, such as armchairs.
FAW Hongqi L5 Specifications
For the entire L-series range, China has specially developed its own aluminum V12 engine with a displacement of 6 liters and a power of 480 horse power... FAW chief technologist Lee Joon said it is the quietest engine on the market for executive sedans today.
The motor protrudes along with a 6-speed automatic transmission gears and four-wheel drive ( four-wheel drive). The dynamic characteristics of the car were not disclosed, but it is known that maximum speed Hongqi L5, with a mass of more than three tons, is 200 km / h. In this case, the fuel consumption per 100 km of run is 20 liters. Vehicle equipped fuel tank volume of 105 liters.
The suspension of the limousine is completely independent: both front and rear multi-link is used independent suspension, the position of the machine is balanced by a system of hydro-pneumatic shock absorbers.
Price and configuration FAW Hongqi L5
"Automobile Plant No. 1" produces limousines Hongqi L5, L7 and L9 in small series, but only the shortened L5 is on sale. Civilian version without armor, the technology of which is kept secret, and without special communications. Such a car costs 5 million yuan or 760 thousand US dollars.
In addition, the Chinese government intends to expand the model line specifically for the sale - four new vehicles will be created, including two SUVs. It is planned to spend 10.5 billion yuan ($ 1.67 billion) on development.
A limousine for top officials in China, which is produced by the local company FAW Group under the Red Flag brand, has entered the market. Now anyone can buy a car. If there is an appropriate amount, of course.
For 24 years of the "past life" of the Red Flag brand, FAW produced about 1500 cars. All of them were reserved for managers in the highest circles of the country's government. In 1982, the brand was closed due to the fact that the cars were too gluttonous for the economic situation. Since then, the company has tried to revive the "Red Banner" (this is how the brand name is translated). The most serious attempts were made from 1987 to 1990, but nothing succeeded. The last attempt officially failed in 2010.
FAW officially brought the brand back to life on Wednesday May 29th. The company plans to invest in new project development of a limousine by the head of the country at least 10.5 billion yuan (about 1.7 billion dollars) by 2015.
The machines themselves are being developed on their own FAW, which owns all rights to the Red Flag brand, motors, chassis, body design and electronics of the limousine. To date, the company has already delivered 500 vehicles to the state authorities of the country.
On the market of representative fAW cars will have to compete with Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the struggle for the wallets of wealthy buyers. "The Chinese car market is like a jungle full of ferocious animals. Red Flag simply won't survive if it doesn't show its teeth," analyst at China Minzu Securities Co. told Bloomberg. Xiao He.
The revived brand has received support from the country's leading Communist Party, whose head, President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, said last December that it was "unbecoming" for the country's top officials to drive foreign cars all the time.
Last month, FAW shipped 12 sedans to the authorities in China's eastern province of Zhejiang, which have purchased vehicles to support party-led car procurement reforms. In addition, the company sent 20 sedans to Fiji for use as official car summit of developing countries "Group of seventy seven".
In April, French President François Hollande also used a Red Flag L5 limousine during his visit to China. The car was also listed by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce as one of the items the government can donate to foreign countries. And the automaker said it is actively cooperating with the Chinese embassies and governments of other countries so that the "Red Banner" flew all over the world. "
To promote the brand in the home market, FAW plans to establish service centers in major cities in the country, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The first cars have already appeared in a specialized store in the capital of the country.
"For older people, Red Flag is an icon of status and prosperity," said Lee Young, a 59-year-old retired government official, while visiting a Mercedes-Benz dealership across the street from the Red Flag dealership. if it were necessary. But my son thinks differently. He is emotionally not at all attached to the Red Flag brand and wants a Mercedes. That's why I came here today to have a look at the car before he buys it. "
Cars of the Geely corporation, which are not represented in the showrooms, but can be purchased to order, often surprise with their shocking and eccentricity. A Chinese manufacturer about 5 years ago at the Shanghai Motor Show offered a real personal limousine, which at that time everyone considered a parody of Rolls-royce phantom... Geely GE was never able to become popular outside of China; it is very rare to find it on the roads of Russia.
Today we offer a review of GE, which will not reveal any special secrets, but only tell certain interesting points of appearance and technical equipment car. Geely could well count on good sales in Russia if the car was more specifically presented in car dealerships. Many are not even aware of the existence of such a model.
Appearance and basics of plagiarism in a limousine
If we talk about the most shocking chinese car, then Geely GE comes to mind first. His photos make you find a lot of matches with European premium sedans for the premium class. But do not forget that the Geely corporation has an individuality in all models, so the appearance can be studied deeper.
Beautiful photos are just the first impression of your appearance. After a detailed study of the car, eyes fall on the mass of chrome jewelry. On the one hand, they make the Chinese limousine look expensive, but on the other hand, they make the appearance more commonplace. The design fundamentals for GE are as follows:
- geely did not deny the similarities of its limousine with the British Phantom;
- many individual characteristics can be found on the car;
- the visual price of the model is questionable due to the mass of experiments with appearance;
- getting into the salon, a person forgets about the Chinese origin of the car;
- inside GE looks incredible, it turns out to be just unique;
- the rich interior decoration is personified by the presence of only one seat for the rear passenger;
- it is in the back of the cabin that the buyer of this car from Geely should travel.
Such an interior of the car looks quite unusual, although this decision is not an author's idea. geely... The Chinese GE limousine is not the only car in the world that offers such a solution in the cabin. Of course, there are plenty of copyright ideas in the interior of the car.
It is worth noting that among the Chinese premium cars this particular model offers excellent build quality and a high level of reliability of materials in the cabin. These features make the Geely limousine attractive not only in terms of price, but also in terms of functionality.
The technical part of the machine - less important characteristics
Official sales of a GE vehicle through the dealerships of a Chinese company in Russia and Europe are prohibited. Immediately after the limousine entered the global market between companies Rolls royce and Geely began legal proceedings that banned worldwide auto sales. You can buy a car only in China, and its official registration in our country will take a lot of effort and will take a rather large amount of money out of your pocket. Therefore, the technical aspects of the car are not so interesting to discuss. In China, auto buyers get the following benefits:
- high comfort in the absence of too bad and uneven road;
- the presence of the necessary functions in the complete set of the machine;
- all the possibilities for controlling the climate and the situation are present in the rear passenger;
- the driver's seat is rather modest, it is intended for an employee;
- the engine under the hood of the limousine is not very productive, overtaking on the highway is given to him with difficulty;
- the development of 2009 was not very successful in terms of technology and efficiency.
Despite the obvious flaws of the corporation in creating the technical data of the car, Chinese technologies have made the trip by car incredibly comfortable and convenient for the buyer. But this plus is clearly not enough, because a potential client of the corporation who bought this car clearly does not care about the price of the car. He cares about a representative appearance, excellent characteristics seat and the ability to move reliably on any road. And in this regard, Geely's proposal clearly looks somewhat unfinished.
Summing up
A car from Geely today is no longer perceived as a low-quality and unworthy option. Of course russian buyer there is practically no opportunity to buy GE, but the attitude to this model and to everything lineup corporation is pretty good.
Nevertheless, the company still has a lot of important tasks, the fulfillment of which will raise the brand to a new level. It is still difficult to say how realistic the chances are for the company to obtain the necessary conditions for good sales of equipment of this level.
05.02.2015Not all cars that came off the assembly line of the automobile corporation Geely can be purchased in showrooms today. Some copies, surprising buyers with their extraordinary and even somewhat shocking design, are brought from the Middle Kingdom in single batches on an individual order.
A striking representative of the Chinese family, who are rarely found on russian roads is the Geely GE model that was unveiled by the manufacturer at the Shanghai Auto Show about five years ago. A kind of parody of the Rolls-Royce Phantom performed by the Chinese has never been in demand outside the homeland. However, this car is really interesting, moreover, not only for its original appearance, but also for its technological filling.
We bring to your attention short review Geely GE models - Chinese Rolls Royce. which will not reveal any special secrets to you, because they simply do not exist, but will simply talk about very curious moments of the technical equipment and appearance of the car.
By the way, according to experts, the car executive class it would sell well in Russia if the car was more specifically presented in numerous dealerships. The fact is that even now many buyers who choose the products of the Chinese car industry for themselves do not even suspect the existence of this incredibly original and interesting specimen in all respects.
Features of the appearance of a Chinese limousine
Geely GE can be safely awarded the honorary title of the King of Outrageous. Looking at a photo of a car, even an inexperienced motorist can find a lot of coincidences of its image with the appearance of modern premium sedans European production. However, there is no need to rush to accuse the design engineers of the enterprise for outright plagiarism, since Geely Corporation in most cases positions itself as a manufacturer of models with a pronounced personality. That is why the appearance of Geely GE needs to be passed through the prism of your own perception, letting your imagination go free.
Only then will you be able to correctly discern the originality of the concept. Carefully examining this model, sooner or later your eyes will fall on the mass of chrome decorative elements. At first glance, it may seem that they give a special chic and notes of elegance to a Chinese limousine, but on the other hand, the abundance of decor makes the appearance banal.
Consider the main points of auto design:
- the manufacturer does not deny the fact that the Chinese limousine is similar to the British Phantom, but there are really many individual features in the model's appearance;
- the comfortable interior of the car looks luxurious, the exclusivity of the interior is emphasized by the use of expensive materials;
- completes the look of a luxury car interior with only one rear seat for the passenger.
The interior of the car looks very unusual, although, in fairness, it should be noted that such a solution is not the author's idea of \u200b\u200bthe engineers of the Chinese auto concern, while the exterior of the cabin contains a number of unique copyright ideas embodied in reality.
The special charm of the car is given not only by the original appearance, but also high quality materials used in the interior design process.
Technical Specifications of the Chinese Limousine
Official sales of a GE vehicle through dealerships of a Chinese company are currently prohibited in Western Europe and Russia. The fact is that after the release of this model on the international market, rolls company Royce is suing Geely Corporation. The result of a long debate was a court decision that initiated a ban on the sale of the model on the world market. Thus, an executive car can only be bought in China. Therefore, it is not so interesting to discuss technical issues. If you are still curious, than in technically boasts a luxurious outwardly Chinese, we offer you a brief overview of the filling:- high comfort of movement on a normal flat road;
- the presence of a full range of necessary functions and options in the package;
- somewhat low-power, but high-quality engine;
- a modest driver's seat.
Despite the presence of obvious flaws on the part of the developers, sitting in the salon of this car, the buyer will feel the maximum comfort during movement. And of course, an extraordinary, slightly ridiculous, but still really striking appearance of the executive sedan is a pleasant bonus to the cozy interior.
Have you ever heard of Hongqi? And this one chinese manufacturer
, by the way, is going to take a significant share of the status car market from such global giants as Rolls-Royce, Ferrari and Bugatti. And he plans to do it through the release limousine Hongqi L5.
Ten years ago, the world laughed at Chinese cars, five years ago began to actively buy them, and now it is ready to shell out 800 thousand dollars for one car produced in the Middle Kingdom. We are talking about the Hongqi L5 limousine - the most expensive representative of the automotive industry in this country.
Hongqi L5 is status car, whose main competitor in the market is the legendary Rolls-Royce Phantom. At least the Chinese manufacturer hopes to impose such rivalry on the British.
Previously, the Hongqi brand produced cars exclusively for the leadership of the People's Republic of China, but now the company has decided to enter the global market. The Hongqi L5 limousine, which will be the first to go on sale outside the country, is 5555 millimeters long, 2018 wide and 1578 high. It has a six-liter V12 engine producing 400 horsepower, allowing the car to accelerate to a speed of 200 kilometers per hour.
The design of the Hongqi L5 car dates back to the late fifties, when the Hongqi company was born. The retro style is also characteristic, so the Chinese manufacturer is apparently trying to be in the global trend in this way.
