The Chinese brand Hongqi gives some information about its future electric cars: the E001 and the E202. The second takes the form of a large electric SUV powered by CATL’s Qilin battery, enabling it to travel up to 1,000 kilometers on a single charge.
Range remains an obstacle to buying an electric car today, even if the development of the charging station network continues to accelerate almost everywhere in the world. Even in France, despite the fact that there is still a small delay and a goal far from being achieved. If the solid battery could revolutionize the automotive industry by allowing greater distances to be traveled in one go, several manufacturers already offer models that show a range of about 1,000 kilometers.
a newcomer
We’re thinking in particular of Zeekr, with its rival Tesla Model S 001 sedan and Mercedes EQS, as well as its electric van, the 009. The latter will soon have a Volvo-badged cousin to be revealed shortly. But now the firm, founded in 2021 and owned by Geely like Lotus and Lynk & Co, will soon have a rival.
This is Hongqi, another builder straight out of the Middle Kingdom. Founded in 1958 and belonging to the FAW group, it also undertakes a major offensive in the electricity market. After presenting its E-HS9, a kind of copy of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan last August, the brand returns to the fray.
This time here is the E202, which also takes the form of a large SUV as shown in the image just revealed by the site. China car news. If its dimensions have yet to be revealed, they look quite generous, particularly with a very long wheelbase. An asset that should later benefit habitability, although at the moment the manufacturer has not shown any image of the interior.
We note that a lot of work has been done on the aerodynamics, especially at the level of the doors, which seem to have no handles. The driving position could be in the style of the Hongqi E-HS9, with its huge dashboard and its three screens reminiscent of the Hyperscreen of the Mercedes EQS.
Up to 1,000 kilometers, really?
At the moment, Hongqi has not given any information about the technical specifications of its new SUV, while the manufacturer’s E001 sedan is based on the FME platform, according to the site. is home. This can be installed on cars with a wheelbase of 2.70 to 3.45 meters and is equipped with wheels that can rotate up to 90 degrees. It’s not enough to compete with the Rivian R1T’s Tank Turn, but it should make maneuvering a lot easier given the size of the machine. A system that reminds us of the one unveiled by Hyundai a few weeks ago.
Like the Zeekr 001, the Hongqi E202 will be equipped with an 800 volt architecture such as the Kia EV6 or the Porsche Taycan as well as the Qilin CTP 3.0 battery, showing a priori a capacity of 140 kWh. Then it will be able to recover up to 300 kilometers in just 5 minutes, although the maximum charging power has not been revealed. The advantage of this battery is also its autonomy that could reach 1,000 kilometersthe brand does not specify the actual autonomy of its SUV.
For the Hongqi E001 sedan there is talk of a range of 1,000 km, but on the Chinese combined cycle. In the European WLTP cycle, it will rather be necessary to have 850 to 900 km of autonomy.
However, we do know that it will be compatible with the battery swapping system, a technology developed in particular by Nio and MG in China and Europe. The E202 will also be capable of wireless charging up to 22 kW. It should be noted that it is equipped with an autonomous driving system, thanks to its LiDAR installed on the roof. Enough to allow you to probably reach level 3, even if the manufacturer has not confirmed it.
It Home specifies that the SUV will be officially launched in the year 2023, probably first in China. However, it is not ruled out that it will reach Europe, while the brand is already marketed in Norway and has signed an agreement with an importer in the Netherlands. What worries specialists even more, who already fear a true invasion of Asian brands in the Old Continent…
After Nio, Xpeng and BYD, it is the turn of the Chinese manufacturer Hongqi to expand in Europe. Its first electric model, the E-HS9, arrives in Europe!
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