Silk-FAW, a joint venture between automotive engineering and design company, Silk EV, and one of China’s largest automotive manufacturers, FAW, unveiled the ultra-luxury plug-in hybrid hypercar, Hongqi S9, at Auto Shanghai 2021.
The Hongqi S9 makes its debut as the first of Silk-FAW’s Hongqi ‘S’ series, designed by legendary car designer, Walter De Silva, Vice President of Styling and Design Silk-FAW.
The Hongqi S9 is a unique intersection of ultra-luxury, high-performance sports vehicles and new energy vehicles, which are among the fastest growing segments in China and international markets.
“The Hongqi S9 brings to life the dreams of those who design and drive it. With people who seek exclusivity in mind, my team and I designed this forward-thinking hypercar, linking functionality and aesthetics that looks toward the future”, says Walter De Silva. “I wanted to pay tribute to China at Auto Shanghai by unveiling my design for the Hongqi S9 under the Hongqi ‘S’ Series, which represents an awakening of innovation from China and Italy.”
Hongqi S9 features 1,400 hp V-8-based plug-in hybrid powertrain that can deliver 0 – 100 km/h (0 – 62 mph) acceleration in just 1.9 seconds and a top speed of over 400 km/h (250 mph). The S9 is expected to have an all-electric range of 40 km (25 miles).
Leading with forward-thinking design, Hongqi S9 also features innovative carbon fiber air intakes which are seamlessly integrated into each headlight to conduct cooling air to the engine for maximum aerodynamic efficiency.
The Hongqi S9 pushes the limits of aerodynamics and architecture to create a hypercar beyond precedent. The sculptural lines and racy shape of the exterior are just as functional as they are aesthetically pleasing, following the flow of air over the bodywork to achieve optimal aerodynamic efficiency. The strong and lightweight carbon fiber parts of the body further enhance performance, which is made visible by the solid red paintwork with exposed carbon fiber in functional parts. The Hongqi S9 also features smart electrochromic windows that vary in the tint intensity to improve energy consumption.
Reimagining elegance with the high-end features of the Hongqi ‘S’ series, the interior design philosophically mirrors the exterior by directing all the sensations and vibrations of the Hongqi S9 to the driver to enhance the driving experience and performance. The interior of the Hongqi S9 also provides maximum comfort. Luxury features include 3 screens: two screens for the driver and one for the passenger, a low speed ventilation humidifier-purifier system with sealed filtration, and interior lighting that can adjust for intensity and ambience.
Silk-FAW will begin taking orders for the Hongqi S9 in 2021.
The Hongqi S9 and the ‘S’ series models of fully electric vehicles will be produced in both the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy and Jilin Province in China. To leverage the strengths of each region, an Experience Centre, Production Centre and Innovation Center will be built in both Jilin and Emilia-Romagna, driving cutting-edge automotive, artificial intelligence, connectivity, innovative battery solutions, and IoT (Internet of Things) with Italy’s world-class design and engineering expertise.
