Fresh Hongqi global SUV spy shots have leaked online, this time showing the cabin of the first Hongqi model built jointly with Chinese rival Leapmotor. The interior images, captured on a Chinese test mule disguised in Leapmotor body wrap but fitted with Hongqi-branded wheels and engine cover, line up with previous prototype sightings — and confirm that Hongqi’s first truly global SUV will lean heavily on Leapmotor’s electrified architecture when it reaches production in the second half of 2026.
Hongqi Global SUV Spy Shots: What the Cabin Reveals
The leaked Hongqi global SUV spy shots show a minimalist dashboard that maps almost directly onto Leapmotor’s current design language. The steering wheel uses two thumb rollers, the driver gets a slim floating instrument cluster, and a large square central touchscreen dominates the center stack. Below the screen sits a wireless charging pad and an open lower tray. Industry insiders expect the Hongqi global SUV to inherit Leapmotor’s “Leap 3.5” cockpit operating system as well, suggesting the brand’s traditional plush-luxury identity will be paired with a modern, software-defined user interface.
Hongqi-Branded Hardware Spotted on the Mule
The test car still uses Leapmotor camouflage panels — a common cost-saving move for joint-development prototypes — but its wheels, fender badging and engine cover are stamped with the Hongqi logo. That hardware mix lines up with what Hongqi’s parent company FAW announced late last year: FAW became a strategic shareholder of Leapmotor, and both sides agreed to jointly develop plug-in hybrid and range-extender powertrains.
FAW × Leapmotor: Inside the Joint-Development Deal
According to the original announcement, Leapmotor contributes its in-house electrification stack — battery management, electric drive units, the LEAP 3.0/3.5 vehicle architecture and the cockpit/ADAS software platform — while FAW brings traditional powertrain know-how (including plug-in hybrid and range-extender engine development) plus its enormous supply-chain footprint. The Hongqi global SUV is the first co-developed product to reach a recognizable late-stage prototype, and the company has confirmed it is targeting H2 2026 series production. Both PHEV and battery-electric variants are expected.
Exterior Direction and Global Ambitions
While the Hongqi global SUV spy shots primarily expose the cabin, earlier sightings and the Beijing Auto Show debut have already revealed a clean exterior. The car adopts a minimalist face with only a small intake in the front bumper, split LED headlights with a “starry sky” graphic inside the DRLs, and a full-width taillight bar that picks up the same celestial motif. The styling marks a meaningful departure from Hongqi’s heavily chromed, neo-classical EV-9/HS-series cars and instead chases European-and-North-American buyer tastes.
“Global” is the operative word: Hongqi has telegraphed that this SUV will be the brand’s first model engineered from day one for export, with right-hand-drive markets and Euro safety regulations baked into the program. That positioning is similar in spirit to other Chinese OEMs taking a “China-developed, world-deployed” approach, including Nissan with its Primera and Frontier Pro Philippines debut, and Chery with its expanding Exeed lineup.
Powertrains: Range Extender and Battery Electric
Powertrain specifics for the Hongqi global SUV have not yet been confirmed, but the FAW-Leapmotor agreement makes the menu fairly easy to predict. The base architecture is widely believed to be derived from Leapmotor’s LEAP 3.5 platform, which already supports both 400V battery-electric configurations and range-extender drivetrains. FAW’s contribution is likely to be a refined 1.5T range-extender generator engine tuned for Hongqi’s NVH targets, paired with single- and dual-motor electric drive options. For the BEV trims, expect a battery in the 60-90 kWh range with CLTC ratings in the 500-700 km bracket, and DC fast charging supported on both 400V and, on top variants, an upgraded 800V architecture similar to Leapmotor’s flagship D-segment products.
Why This Hongqi SUV Matters
The joint-development play is significant because it lets Hongqi skip years of in-house electric R&D in exchange for an equity-backed deal with one of China’s fastest-scaling EV-native OEMs. For Leapmotor, the partnership opens access to FAW’s traditional powertrain catalog and overseas state-owned distribution channels. For global EV shoppers, it means the Hongqi global SUV will arrive with proven EV hardware rather than first-generation experiments. Buyers tracking the Chinese premium-EV space should also watch fresh launches such as the Hyptec S600 and the Luxeed V9, which together with this Hongqi/Leapmotor program show how rapidly the domestic premium segment is consolidating around a few major tech stacks.
FAQ: Hongqi Global SUV Spy Shots
What do the Hongqi global SUV spy shots show?
The latest leak captures the cabin of Hongqi’s first global SUV, revealing a Leapmotor-style dashboard with a floating instrument cluster, large square center touchscreen, two-roller steering wheel and wireless charging pad.
Is the Hongqi global SUV really co-developed with Leapmotor?
Yes. After FAW became a strategic shareholder of Leapmotor in late 2025, the two companies confirmed joint development of plug-in hybrid and range-extender powertrains, with the global SUV as the first co-built product.
When will the Hongqi global SUV enter production?
Hongqi plans to start mass production of the global SUV in the second half of 2026, with both range-extender and battery-electric versions expected at launch.
Which markets will the Hongqi global SUV target?
The model has been engineered from day one as Hongqi’s first truly global product, with export markets in Europe, the Middle East and select Asia-Pacific countries widely expected to come online shortly after the Chinese domestic launch in the second half of 2026.
Source: Autohome.com.cn
Comments are closed.