HongqiThe Russian automotive market isn't one we hear much about. Ever since the war in Ukraine began in 2022, many manufacturers have pulled out of the country, even if plenty of Western cars are still available to purchase. But Chinese brands are still present, and one of those, the Hongqi Guoya, has become the most expensive Chinese car in the country.The Guoya has only recently entered the Chinese market, and if it looks a bit like a Rolls-Royce to you, then there is a good reason for that. The Guoya was actually designed by former Rolls-Royce designer Giles Taylor, and features similarly imposing features to the luxury British cars.Being a Chinese car, it doesn't cost quite as much as a Rolls-Royce. But it still has plenty of impressive features, and with British luxury cars not exactly available in Russia right now, this is certainly the next best thing.AdvertisementAdvertisementDon't be fooled by the brand name either, as Hongqi is one of the oldest car brands in China. But with the price still being close to $500,000, the question is, who in Russia would be able to afford this luxury car?The Hongqi Guoya Is a Rival to Mercedes, BMW and AudiHongqi GuoyaThe Chinese company believes the Guoya is a direct rival to cars from the West, such as the Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8 and the BMW 7 Series. In fact, it could probably aim higher at the likes of the Mercedes-Maybach and anything in the current Rolls-Royce lineup.If you live in Russia and want to get your hands on one of these cars, you have two choices. The base model is the Elegance V6, which would cost you 27.7 million Russian Rubbles, or roughly $389,000 at the current exchange rate. If you want the higher-end model, the Imperial V8, then you are looking at a price tag of 31.7 million Russian Rubles, which roughly converts to around $445,000. In China, the base model of the Guoya retails at 1.4 million yuan, around $207,000.With its 31.7 million rubles price tag, the Guoya is officially the most expensive Chinese car that money can buy in Russia at the time of writing. With such a high price tag, it's likely the only people able to afford it will be millionaires and billionaires, many of whom are, of course, Oligarchs and the money men in Russia. So what will they get with their millions of rubles?This Is What the Hongqi Guoya Has To OfferHongqiIf you opt for the slightly cheaper Elegance V6 model, you will get a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine making 380hp and 420lb-ft of torque. In the Imperial V8 model, there is a 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 making 476hp and 501lb-ft of torque, so it is a decent jump over the standard V6 model. But of course, it is largely what is inside the cabin that matters the most.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe second row of seats has two large captain's chairs, with heated, ventilated, and cooling functions. They can also recline, while the car also has a 32-speaker audio system. Other notable items of luxury include the sunroof and extensive use of leather and Alcantara. The speaker system also comes with 4D vibration feedback, creating a very sophisticated listening experience.How the Guoya Compares With Other Luxury Cars in RussiaMercedes-MaybachThe biggest question is how much would an Oligarch save by buying the Guoya instead of a comparable Western car? Well, the Mercedes-Maybach can still be found in the country, often entering through a 'gray market' via countries such as Kazakhstan, Armenia and of course, China.As we write, a Mercedes-Maybach in Russia would cost 45 million Russian Rubles, which roughly converts to $631,130. So you could get a decent saving opting for the Chinese car over the German one.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.