Hongqi L5 State Limousine

Hongqi L5 State Limousine

The Hongqi L5, unveiled at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show and entering extremely limited production thereafter, represents the absolute zenith of Chinese automotive ambition. Priced at approximately 5 million yuan (around $803,000 at launch), the L5 is not merely expensive — it is a symbol of national prestige, a rolling statement of China's arrival as a global power. Hongqi, meaning Red Flag, has served as China's state car brand since 1958, and the L5 carries that legacy forward with uncompromising luxury.

At 5,555 mm long with a 3,435 mm wheelbase, the L5 is imposingly large, dwarfing even a Rolls-Royce Phantom. The exterior design blends traditional Hongqi styling cues — the prominent chrome grille with the red flag ornament, the bold character lines — with contemporary luxury elements. Every body panel is hand-finished, and the extensive chrome work is done by artisans, not machines.

The L5 is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 engine developed specifically for this car, producing 408 horsepower and 550 Nm of torque. While the numbers may seem modest given the engine's displacement, the tuning prioritizes refinement and smoothness over outright power. The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Air suspension at all four corners, with active ride height adjustment and continuous damping control, provides the isolation expected of a state-level limousine.

The interior is where the L5 truly distinguishes itself. Handcrafted in an atelier rather than a factory, the cabin features silk brocade door panel inserts, jade and gold-plated switchgear, rosewood trim from sustainably sourced Chinese forests, and leather sourced from Highland cattle raised in specific climate conditions. The rear compartment offers airline-first-class-style seats with heating, cooling, massage, and full recline capability. A refrigerator, fold-out desk, and telecommunications suite complete the executive package.

Production of the L5 is measured in single digits per year. Each car reportedly takes over six months to build, with quality control standards that rival the most exclusive European coachbuilders. The L5 has been used for state occasions including the 2015 and 2019 National Day military parades, where President Xi Jinping was chauffeured in a specially prepared open-top variant. It has also been used for state visits and diplomatic ceremonies, solidifying its role as China's answer to the Rolls-Royce Phantom and the ZIL limousines of the Soviet era.