New Hongqi H9+ Stretches Luxury To New Lengths For China’s Bigwigs

A long-wheelbase variant of the Hongqi H9 sedan aptly called the H9+ has been snapped at one of the automaker’s showrooms, leading local sources to believe that this variant will soon hit the market.

The ‘regular’ Hongqi H9 was only just revealed earlier this year and it remains unclear if customer deliveries have started. Complementing the flowing lines of the exterior is a luxurious cabin packed with technology and a sleek design. The long-wheelbase variant looks set to take things to the next level.

The long-wheelbase variant you see pictured from China’s Auto 163 and Auto Sina is painted in a two-tone scheme of red and white and is significantly longer than the standard model, though it still retains the four-door layout. In fact, Chinese reports suggests it could be upwards of 40 cm (15.7-inches) longer than the regular model, and the added length is particularly evident thanks to the enlarged B-pillars.

You can see the difference between the LWB (above) and SWB (below) versions of the Hongqi H9 sedan

A peek inside the cabin shows the car is clad in white leather and has two captain’s chairs in the second row, just like the standard H9. However, thanks to the longer wheelbase, it is safe to assume that rear legroom will be dramatically improved, which is perfect for buyers who prefer to be chauffeured around in ultimate comfort.

Car News China suggests the long-wheelbase Hongqi H9 is being developed primarily for the private market, but the Chinese government may also be interested in the luxurious sedan.

In all likelihood, the flagship H9 will have the same powertrain options as the regular wheelbase model. As such, there will be a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with 252 hp and 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) of torque as well as a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with 272 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm).