I believe that everyone also knows that the domestic B-class car market has been dominated by joint ventures such as Japanese and German, and independent brands have almost no right to speak, such as Trumpchi GA6, Geely Borui, Pentium B70, etc. can only be reduced to "accompanying running". However, there is also the existence of the standing flock, which is the red flag H5.
Cash Red Flag H5
Judging from last year's data, the cumulative sales of Hongqi H5 exceeded 80,000 vehicles, and the average monthly sales could be maintained at more than 6,000 vehicles. Although there is still a big gap compared with the Accord and Camry, which sell 200,000 vehicles per year, it is already a proper B-class car sales king in the autonomous camp.
Source: Pacific Motors
In order to further improve its competitiveness, Hongqi H5 has ushered in an upgrade. Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has exposed the declaration information of the new car, so what is its improvement, and can it really impact the joint venture B-class cars such as accord? Around these two major issues, let's explore them together.
Painting style mutation, incarnation of "trumpet red flag H9"
In terms of styling, compared with the current model, the new Hongqi H5's painting style change is still very obvious, the new car adopts a large-sized straight waterfall net, with a split headlight design, like a "small Hongqi H9" posture.
New Red Flag H5
Red Flag H9
Although this type of design has been a bit rotten, considering that the style of the previous Hongqi H9 has been well received, for the new Hongqi H5 of the lower level, this "imitation makeup" is also a plus.
Increased size, called "quasi-C class"
In terms of body size, the new Hongqi H5 has a length, width and height of 4988/1875/1470mm, and a wheelbase of 2920mm. Compared with the current model, in addition to the height unchanged, the others have been improved.
From the data comparison, it can also be seen that the new Hongqi H5 is already larger than most of the joint venture B-class cars on the market. If the current model is B+ grade, then after the replacement, it is a bit of a "quasi-C grade" taste. Therefore, for the internal space improvement of the new car, everyone can still look forward to it.
Interior renovation, vertical central control screen leads to "controversy"
In terms of interior, the new Hongqi H5 did not copy the screen design of The Hongqi H9, but took a different path and adopted a large-size vertical central control screen. Judging from the feedback from netizens, this style does not seem to be very pleasing.
New Red Flag H5 interior spy photos
Hongqi H9 interior
New hybrids are available with three powertrains
The power side is also the focus of the upgrade, the new Hongqi H5 will replace the current 1.8T engine with a 2.0T engine, the maximum power of 165kW. While the 1.5T continues to be retained, the maximum power is 124kW. The point is that the new car also added a 1.5T oil-electric hybrid system, which is not a new energy, but the same as the nature of the Accord hybrid, which belongs to the energy-saving model.
In the traditional system part, the current 1.5T matches the 7-speed dual clutch, and the 2.0T matches the 6AT. It is revealed that the new Hongqi H5 will have the opportunity to carry 8AT.
Judging from the information currently exposed, the new Hongqi H5 can be described as an all-round upgrade, in which the changes in shape, size and power part are still more pleasing, which undoubtedly further enhances consumers' desire to buy it. However, before the new car has landed, everyone still needs to look at it rationally, because there are two major "suspense" that have yet to be solved.
The first suspense is about the 1.5T hybrid system, according to the query, the Red Flag hybrid was exposed as early as 2020, and its working logic is similar to Honda's i-MMD system, that is, the engine is not involved in the drive in the hybrid mode, and its role is to drive the generator to generate electricity, and the wheel is driven by the drive motor.
After a long time, now this set of hybrids is finally ready to land. As the first model, the new Hongqi H5 will inevitably cause consumers to worry about its reliability and fuel saving effect.
In fact, in the oil-electric hybrid piece, everyone basically only recognizes Toyota and Honda, as for the independent brand, although there are also people like Geely Thor Hi · X hybrid, and the Great Wall lemon hybrid, but at present, they have not set off too many waves, so how the red flag this hybrid technology is, there is still a question mark here.
The second suspense is the price, the red flag H5 has been fully upgraded, the result that consumers are most willing to see is naturally "increase the amount without price increase", with reference to the price of 14.58-19.08 million in cash, if you can maintain this range, think about it is still quite fragrant, but is this realistic?
The addition of 2.0T and hybrid systems, counting the expanded body size, I believe that some people can also perceive that the product power of the new Hongqi H5 has been somewhat close to the Hongqi H7, and the price of the latter is 25.28-28.88 million. Based on this alone, in my opinion, the new Hongqi H5 is likely to raise the price on the basis of the original.
Red Flag H7
Therefore, for the arrival of the new red flag H5, don't be in a hurry to shout "true incense", you may wish to wait for the follow-up. As for the aforementioned, can the new car impact those joint venture B-class car bigwigs? Realistically speaking, compared with most independent B-class cars, The brand influence and premium ability of the Hongqi H5 are stronger.
Honda Accord
Toyota Camry
In addition, it has the advantages of price and cost performance, which are also the key reasons why it can gain a foothold in the high-end B-class car market. And the new generation of Hongqi H5, even if there is greater growth, it is estimated that it is still difficult to really call the Accord or Camry. The reason why the latter is difficult to overcome and occupy the head market for a long time is the guarantee of inheritance, quality and core technology.
I can understand the determination of Hongqi H5 to go further, but this gap cannot be made up by a change, or a replacement, the road is long, and it is far away, waiting for Hongqi to have more sincerity. Of course, under the general trend of independent brands, we also hope that the domestic camp can emerge more B-class car products.