Hongqi S9 : Awakening Innovation

“We designed the shapes and technical surfaces skillfully until we reached the point of maximum balance between aerodynamics, proportions and beauty. No detail was left to chance in order to complete the body shape of the Hongqi S9 with an aesthetic language of essential, dynamic lines. The end result reveals a timeless, athletic styling that defines the Essence of Beauty.”  

Walter De Silva, VP of Styling & Design, Silk-FAW .

Silk EV, a global automotive engineering and design firm, and FAW, China’s largest automaker, have formed a joint venture to develop a series of ultra-luxury, high-performance new energy sports vehicles for the Chinese and global markets. 

The Silk-FAW Joint Venture plans to develop new full electric and hybrid luxury cars under the Hongqi ‘S’ series, with the S9 ultra-luxury hypercar serving as the first model in the series. Silk EV’s headquarters are in Regione Emilia-Romagna, the heart of Italy’s Motor Valley, where the Hongqi S9 will be designed and constructed. Production of the Hongqi ‘S’ Series lineup will be split between Italy and Changchun, where FAW’s headquarters are based. 

Walter De Silva of Walter De Silva & Partners, a world-renowned Italian automotive designer, designed the S9. Earlier this year, he was named Vice President of Styling and Design for the Silk-FAW joint venture. He will design the full portfolio of new energy vehicles in the Hongqi ‘S’ series, which will encapsulate the essence of innovation and elegance. 

“As a leading automotive brand founded in China, we have responsibility to drive collaboration and lead a new era of innovation for the China automotive industry. With the launch of the first model Hongqi S9, we are confident of the Hongqi success as a truly global brand, built for a discerning international audience,”  

Xu Liuping, Chairman, FAW Group. 

The Hongqi S9 is a one-of-a-kind combination of ultra-luxury, high-performance sports cars and new energy vehicles, which are among China’s and the world’s fastest-growing segments. The Hongqi S9 represents an innovation breakthrough between China and Italy, bringing in the future of mobility and electrification technologies. 

It is a plug-in hybrid with a highly electrified V8 engine that can drive with zero emissions. The Hongqi S9 is distinguished by its forward-thinking design, which includes unique carbon fiber air intakes that are perfectly integrated into each headlight to provide cooling air to the engine for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. 

The Hongqi S9 is a hypercar that pushes the boundaries of aerodynamics and architecture to create a hypercar unlike any other. The exterior’s sculptural lines and racy shape are as useful as they are attractive, following the flow of air over the bodywork for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. The solid red paintwork with exposed carbon fiber in functional portions further enhances performance, as do the robust and lightweight carbon fiber parts of the body. The Hongqi S9 also has clever electrochromic windows with varying tint intensities to help save energy. 

The interior design of the Hongqi S9 reimagines elegance with the high-end features of the Hongqi ‘S’ series, philosophically mirroring the exterior by directing all of the sensations and vibrations of the Hongqi S9 to the driver to enhance the driving experience and performance. The Hongqi S9’s interior is likewise really comfortable. Three displays are included in the luxury package: two for the driver and one for the passenger, a low-speed ventilation humidifier-purifier system with sealed filtration, and adjustable inside lighting. 

Every component of the Hongqi S9 is designed to make driving a pleasure, ensuring the optimum performance and sensation for the driver. The Hongqi S9 can automatically recognize the driver’s location and set up all of the car components, from screens to powertrain to aerodynamics, with three driving modes that improve performance and efficiency. 

When driving in the city, the fully electric mode is the best option. The Hongqi S9 has a V8 engine that recharges the battery in a matter of seconds if the distance travelled exceeds 40 kilometers, owing to the most compact, lightest, and most efficient e-axle on the market, designed and manufactured by Silk-FAW in the Motor Valley. 

When cruising along the highway, the Hongqi S9 considers efficiency as well. The powertrain and aerodynamics will be programmed in this mode to continuously turn on and off the ICE engine based on the driver’s driving style. The Hongqi S9 is pure fun to drive on the racetrack, with all of the functions automatically tuned to provide the optimum experience for the driver. 

Gallery