The G919 pairs a 2.0-liter turbo engine with four electric motors. Hongqi’s rugged newcomer wears one of the largest grilles around. Key features include three locking differentials and air suspension. While plenty of Chinese brands are turning out genuinely compelling cars these days, Hongqi usually isn’t the name that springs to mind. That’s despite its pedigree as the country’s most premium homegrown marque, the one chauffeuring China’s political elite back in the day, Chairman Mao included. Their latest effort is the G919, a boxy off-roader saddled with an enormous grille that does it no favors at all. Read: The Most Expensive New Chinese Car Ever Sold In Russia Costs $445,000 The rugged SUV was previewed at the recent Beijing Auto Show, and now a fresh batch of images has surfaced. More Chinese brands are piling into the rugged-SUV space chasing strong demand, and Hongqi decided the moment was right to join them. The styling leaves plenty to be desired, but the G919 still has a few things working in its favor. Measuring 202.1 inches (5,135 mm) long, 80.7 inches (2,050 mm) wide, and 76.7 inches (1,950 mm) tall, with a 114.1-inch (2,900 mm) wheelbase, the G919 uses a traditional body-on-frame design, an essential element of any good off-roader. Hongqi has also fitted the model with mechanical locking differentials at both the front and rear, along with trick air suspension. And like a Mercedes G-Class it clearly has in its sight, there’s a center diff lock too. Supercar Power Then there’s the powertrain. The G919 will be built as an EREV, pairing a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with four electric motors for a combined 831 hp (620 kW) and 973 lb-ft (1,320 Nm) of torque. The size of the battery pack remains unclear, but it reportedly offers an all-electric range of 174 miles (280 km) and a combined range of 839 miles (1,350 km). Obviously, no one needs such an extraordinary amount of power in an off-roader, but it’s nice to have. In addition, because the G919 has an electric motor at each wheel, it offers precise torque adjustments to maintain traction in all conditions. It can also run from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in an impressive 4.5 seconds. Pricing has yet to be confirmed. What we do know is that the G919 is expected to go on sale in the coming months.
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