Luxury Sedan Exceeds Rolls-Royce in Price

author: FutureCar Staff    

The Chinese carmaker Hongqi is producing one of the world's most expensive sedans, the Hongqi L5. This ultra-luxury limousine is designed to compete with popular models like the Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Maybach S-Class that are favored by the wealthy in China.

The Hongqi L5 is China's response to the increasing number of ultra-luxury cars in the country. In an effort to outshine the competition, they have created a car that is just as luxurious as the Phantom and the Maybach, but even more expensive. In fact, the starting price for the L5 is a staggering $696,506.

The sedan's name, Hongqi, translates to "Red flag" in English, which is fitting considering its luxurious and eye-catching design. The L5 is the volume production version of the CA770 state limousine and has recently undergone a redesign. The refreshed variant was unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show, revealing a larger, more imposing, and more expensive version of the car.

The front of the Hongqi L5 maintains its retro look, but now features new 21-inch wheels and a two-tone paint job similar to that of the Rolls-Royces and Maybachs. The rear bumper has also been restyled, with LED taillights and an inscription of the model's name on the tailgate.

Compared to its competitors, the L5 is longer, wider, and taller. It measures 5,980 millimeters long, 2,090 millimeters wide, and 1,710 millimeters tall, with a wheelbase of 3,730 millimeters. In contrast, the Rolls-Royce Phantom is 5,982 millimeters long, 2,018 millimeters wide, and 1,648 millimeters tall, with a wheelbase of 3,772 millimeters.

Inside the L5, there is a four-seat layout with real armchairs in the rear, providing an extremely opulent experience for those who prefer to be chauffeured. The cabin features real jade and daring color combinations that cater to the Chinese customers' tastes.

Under the hood, the L5 is equipped with a 4.0-liter V8 engine that delivers 382 horsepower to all four wheels. While further specifications are not readily available, it is known that the car can reach a top speed of 220 kph. There were previous reports of a 6.0-liter V12 engine, but it has yet to be confirmed for the L5.

Despite the carmaker's claim that the L5 is "for everyone," the steep price tag suggests otherwise. With a starting price of $696,506, this luxury sedan is clearly targeted at the super-rich. Production has already begun, and the first deliveries are expected to take place before the end of the year.

FutureCar Staff