A beautiful black Hongqi HQ300 sedan, seen in the Dongzhimen area in Beijing in 2013. The good old Red Flag was is superb shape, with smooth paint and shiny chrome, completely original, nothing missing or broken, and not a spat of rust in sight. Note the factory standard red-flag hood ornament.
The Hongqi HQ3oo was a variant of the Hongqi HQ3 series, manufactured from 2006 until 2010. The HQ3 was based on the fourth-generation (S180) Toyota Crown Majesta.
There were two variants: the HQ300 powered by a 3.0 V6 with 231hp and 300nm, and the HQ430 powered by a 4.3 liter V8 with 280hp and 430nm. Both engines were mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox, sending horses to the rear wheels. The engines and ‘boxes were also sourced from Toyota. Size: 4965/1795/1485, and wheelbase was 2850.
Price of the 2007 HQ300 started at 399.800 yuan, which was actually a pretty good deal for a luxury car.
At the time, the fourth generation Crown Majesta was made in China by the FAW-Toyota joint venture. FAW, First Auto Works, is also the owner of the Hongqi brand. FAW’s reliance on Toyota continued with the Hongqi H7 which is based on the fifth-generation (S200) Toyota Crown Majesta.
The Hongqi name in handwritten script and HQ300 in a very neutral script.
The triple bar ornament on the C-pillar was characteristic for the Hongqi HQ3 series. Even though the HQ3 was really a Toyota, I always thought it one of the best looking Hongqi cars. FAW only made a few subtle changes but somehow it looked far more exclusive than the Toyota it was based on.
Today the famous Chinese Hongqi brand is finally finding a more solid footing. Some of their cars are still based on cars made by FAW’s various joint ventures, but they also show some real original design, most notably with their electric cars, like the Hongqi E-HS9 and the new Hongqi E-QM5. May Hongqi bloom! It is about time…
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