Hongqi Has An 831-HP Four-Motor Answer To The Mercedes-Benz G-Class

A New Player Enters The Arena

Despite Chinese automakers expanding their presence in Canada and Mexico, they are still unlikely to arrive stateside anytime soon. However, their global expansion is forcing legacy automakers to adapt and adjust to stay competitive. That could be good news for consumers who want more options, but it also presents an undeniable challenge for automakers.

Now, the latest Chinese entry is the G919 from Hongqi, a brand owned by FAW Group, one of China's "Big Four" state-owned automakers. It is essentially the brand's first off-roader powered by a four-motor extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain, putting it in competition with vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Land Rover Defender.

Bringing The Heat

According to CarNewsChina, the Hongqi G919 pairs its EREV powertrain with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, delivering a combined 620 kW (831 horsepower) and 1,320 Nm (974 lb-ft) of torque. On paper, that already surpasses the Mercedes-AMG G63, which makes 577 horsepower from its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8.

Perhaps more interestingly, the G919 should drive like an electric vehicle, since EREVs typically use the combustion engine mainly as a generator. That means future owners could still refuel at traditional gas stations when the battery charge runs low, helping address range anxiety. The new model reportedly offers a CLTC-rated all-electric range of 280 km (174 miles) and a total driving range of 1,350 km (839 miles).

In addition to its EREV powertrain, the G919 comes equipped with genuine off-road hardware, including a body-on-frame chassis, three locking differentials, and torque vectoring. It will be interesting to see whether the SUV features any headline-grabbing tricks of its own, similar to the rival BYD Yangwang U8, which is known for its emergency floating capability.

Not Hongqi's First Ambitious Project

The report describes the new off-roader as one of Hongqi's "most technologically ambitious production vehicles" ahead of its market launch. The brand sells a wide range of vehicles in China, including the Guoya, a Mercedes-Maybach contender designed by former Rolls-Royce design chief Giles Taylor, which helps explain its resemblance to the Phantom.

If the G919 becomes a commercial success, it could influence what buyers expect from luxury off-roaders, much like electrified Chinese vehicles have already reshaped several global markets. Perhaps the best-case scenario is that it pushes established brands to develop better technology and stronger value propositions.

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