You Can’t Buy China’s Rolls-Royce (Even If You Can Afford It): Hongqi L5, L1, and Golden Sunflower

[@limprofile]

If u are interested in some detail. There is already world first (as for what i know) outside of China owner of a Hongqi L5. Its the current Head of state in Malaysia. And no its a gift by China not purchased by him.

[@kilodekilode3992]

Yep, The current Agong, Sultan of Johor. He himself held plenty of car under his name

[@Joel-bh5xd]

Quite a gift

[@strpndt2652]

ah so it was a gift, a regal car that suits such a regal monarch, can't wait to see His Majesty being driven around in that car

[@davidopsina3871]

Well who would pay for such rubbish...

[@blardymunggas6884]

It was not a gift. He had try to buy the HongQi for a few years now and since Malaysia is a friendly nation, they made a 1 of 1 a unique one for him when he became the king of Malaysia to celebrate his new title. The Sultan paid for it

[@Darkmatter321]

I don't like this, I LOVE it. It's retro, it's futuristic, it's high-tech, and it's more affordable than legacy cars. Keep em' coming Wheelsboy

[@sbomorse]

It's hideous...

[@buswayman]

​@@sbomorsehideous in the eye of beholder...

[@DerrickBest]

​@@sbomorsehideously gorgeous. Opulent. Luxurious. And it has the "I want one" factor. China is truly stepping into their stride.

[@sbomorse]

I guess the old adage is still true - money can't buy taste 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Darkmatter321]

@@sbomorse You shouldn't worry about things you can't afford

[@incomingincoming1133]

I like this guy. He is an insider, but is also not afraid to insult Chinese cars a little. That is rare. That makes the review more honest, and the cars more appealing.

[@saint8257]

Y'all act like criticizing Chinese products = state imprisonment or something meanwhile Chinese online in forums and social media talk shit, troll and meme about stuff all the time including these cars lol.

[@teofilol2666]

​@@saint8257spot on. I was about to comment on the same thing.

[@fangjack8155]

@@saint8257你怎么知道？我被你代表了？

[@rebym]

This was a terrific review. I would have expected a westerner not to have understood the significance of these cars. You REALLY get it! I love that you genuinely got excited about going in the L5.

[@laughoutloud3404]

I love eating crackers ❤❤

[@Make-Asylums-Great-Again]

I find you Easterners to be so simple-minded.

[@zacksmith5644]

​@@Make-Asylums-Great-AgainNope . Hongqi designer is ex rolls Royse designer

[@randomname931]

if I were a baller in China, I'd definitely be rocking one of these.

[@ゲリン]

frfr

[@ambivalentonion2620]

frrrr

[@janingzhou3765]

Who knows that the interior of a vehicle is purple? Because in ancient China, purple was the most expensive color, the largest ministers wore purple clothes, and the Forbidden City also became a purple palace. The most common color of Taoist priests' clothing in China's traditional religion Taoism is purple. If a Taoist priest dies and is cremated, the color of the flame is purple, which means that the priest's practice is at the highest level.

[@tren133]

Purple has been the most expensive color in many ancient civilizations. It was the color of the Roman emperors, for instance. However it is merely the 2nd highest color historically in China. Ministers wore purple, but the emperor wore gold, and it was a capital offense for regular folks to wear either color (certainly for wearing gold, not 100% sure about the purple), and the highest color for the ordinary people was red in China.

[@輝洒自如]

​@user-rl2tj9wo3x紫气东来

[@C-3POII45I4]

@@tren133 It depends on the dynasty, for example, Qin was most honoured by the colour black, and the emperor, ministers and the rich all liked to wear black.

[@acuantjahyadi7393]

Untuk orang Amerika warna yang paling di gemari warna hijau tai 💩 kuda 😂😂

[@pixelmasque]

Yes, and the green is glowing reminiscent of glowing green jade, a sign of wealth and prosperity, good fortune❤

[@katzicael]

the Sunflower is *GORGEOUS* the purple metallic paint *chefs kiss*

[@vorlon81]

Commie Lover 😂

[@laughoutloud3404]

I love eating crackers ❤❤

[@zacksmith5644]

​@@vorlon81 ok boomer 😂

[@zacksmith5644]

​@@laughoutloud3404 I love chinese cars

[@aeophylus]

Hongqi's chief designer is Giles Taylor- who was Rolls Royce chief designer until 2018.

[@SPECIALTRADER1]

So🙆

[@jacksmith-mu3ee]

​@@SPECIALTRADER1 so he owns the design

[@Vibe_Nomad]

Companies owns design not designes ​@@jacksmith-mu3ee

[@atomheart2370]

@@jacksmith-mu3eeno, the company hire this guy to design, so HongQi has the design

[@xboxstudent]

@@jacksmith-mu3ee He works for HongqI, so no

[@repHAWAIIxJPN]

Damn that Sunflower Concept is beautiful . Definitely helps that it's my favorite color purple but that interior is immaculate ! Oh yah and that purple interior lighting is a nice touch .

[@pierrotlefou1143]

damn, they got that golden sunflower concept soooo right. the starburst warp drive headlights, the hongqi dna grill, the rear/booty, the stance...

[@rifmaffia]

wow this is something else. China nailed it with this one. grille is big but very wel implemented

[@TAL142]

This is definitely the car I wanted if I can afford a chauffeur. If this is bulletproof, this would be even safer in the US. This actually showcase the manufacturing power of China the fact they can make custom cars that are not aimed to make money in the market.

[@CK-ve4tz]

Yes. Hongqi have bulletproof

[@rabbitbobo4131]

The reason why they do back ground checks is because it could be customized, but only to client deemed important enough. Driving this car basically says you are some one, not only just money.

[@ACloutToken]

i’m in love with the L5 headlights 😍

[@悟空-m9s]

missed a lof details，such as the central screen is foldable and extendable

[@baojon-ob3jk]

HongQi really good at making cars that always look like some badass well-suited boss in old gangster movies 😄😄😄

[@Muddy.Teabagger]

you mean good at copying cars from the west and selling as there own.

[@dp0625]

Yes, you are absolutely GOD DAMN right. The owner of this car must have a commanding presence; otherwise, they won't be able to handle it

[@80y3r9]

Fair play to the Chinese brands giving you buttons on luxury wagons

[@ALWH1314]

L5 symbolized ancient China description of the world being “round sky (headlight) and square earth (the bars in the rear)”.

[@duyataksis5210]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: there's only one real Hongqi. The one real Hongqi, the one I want, is the one with microphones on the roof.

[@laughoutloud3404]

I love eating crackers ❤❤

[@minhkhoanguyen8722]

That one is just for the officials

[@yodaichi888]

u gotta switch place with chairman Xi.......🤣🤣🤣

[@YongLi-np3wg]

You need to become a Chinese citizen first, join the party, work your way up, give it 40 years, you will have your dream car for free!

[@lucky889s9]

Cool thing to have when campaigning for election

[@travellerswill]

Don't think Rolls Royce are comparable to Hongqi because Hongqi are designed for the President so it's in the same class as "the beast" (the Cadillac limousine)

[@izzo2271]

Have you seen Rolls Royce special projects? Hongqi is great but it is nowhere near comparable to Rolls Royce yet

[@DeathTT87]

These car are still far from the rolls anyway. Like the L5 is worth a million and still has the same ugly black plastic button than every low cost car.. The golden one cost is the only one with what it seems great materials, but it's way more expensive than a rolls, that has great materials as well.

[@miba8303]

Don't worry pedobrandon already ban ban ban ....

[@dwchen1]

How do you know it has black plastic buttons...? You've been inside this car...?​@@DeathTT87

[@PookDaWook]

What? The Beast has 3cm thick bullet-proof glass and enough defensive elements to deter almost any attack. I fail to see the comparison

[@johnkad123]

I like this guy's presentation style. 👌So fed up of car reviews that turn into a series of unfunny jokes. Plus the car is nice too. Keep up the work.

[@benedict6027]

This is insanely good

[@bahrainhasnan]

Those wheels on Golden Sunflower looks dope!

[@pgtan9708]

Looks like there's no limit to what Giles Taylor can do when he's given a free-hand

[@fayuanhuang4640]

The screen is not small, its a rollable soft screen, which rises when you start the car

[@RSCB]

that's crazy cool

[@izwandyibrahim488]

king of Malaysia had 1 L5, personally given by government of china. i recon last month. it was in news. do chekcout

[@blardymunggas6884]

Not given. He had shown interest for many years but finally he was allowed to buy 1. He is the only in the world has the same spec as President Xi with custom sultan design. 1 of 1 super rare car. No other person has same spec as President Xi’s personal car.

[@christ510]

@@blardymunggas6884 What X i or the allowed elite can afford who cares. Jay Leno's Spectre looks better.

[@taiwanstillisntacountry]

​@@christ510 Your country's debts also looks spectaculair. Please ask your 🍊 POTUS, not to go to China with a big begging bowl.

[@MichelHenriTonneau]

What a brand! I saw few already in Europe (The Netherlands and Belgium). Absolutely amazing for a very limited number of people. Understand why it’s for the elite

[@انا_ابراهيم_البناوي]

This looks really really good I would love to see it in Saudi Arabia I have seen a couple of Hongqi H9s in Saudi Arabia which is the top level model but this would be amazing

[@kheeliiil2566]

it's such a different philosophy it's art I would honestly like to have one

[@stadionbotosani5425]

My God...what a gorgeous beast that first one ..❤❤🎉🎉🎉!!!

[@seanlee3863]

L1 blows the Mercedes S and Audi 8 out of the water on what I've seen so far. Need to know more when a driving review comes out

[@ДушанМ.Стојановић]

дајте нама ПРАВОСЛАВНИМ СРБИМА да ми тестирамо овај кинески председнички ауто по Балканском полуострву и све уживо да сви виде и чују.

[@Ausf]

Disappointing buttons are considered a high end luxury feature. That said, EU regulators are considering mandating safety features be accessible by buttons, not just touch screen, so that might go some way to addressing the issue.

[@pixelmasque]

The buttons are gorgeous and add some texture and substance, and beautifully styled, those flat digital panels are horrible, guess it depends on your preference though

[@jackdoe3889]

Indeed. You need to be able to operate any functions needed while driving without having to take your eyes off the road. May not matter much in say, the US, but doing 250 kph on German Autobahns the screen operated functions become a leathal distraction. Why then are especially German manufacturers eliminating all but a handful of buttons? Cost. Buttons and switches are umpteen times more expensive that some software mods. I really hope that this trend will be stopped by legislation.

[@DaigoParry]

I like buttons. Touch screens are a scam like digital watches in the 80s. If you are not careful, they will make physical buttons the mechanical watches of buttons. It will cost you $20,000 to own a mechanical watch. It's a plot I tell you. Enjoy your physical buttons as much as you can, because there is no telling if they will make it a "premium" feature in future like they say over here. Scam.

[@DaigoParry]

There is nothing like good tactile feedback when you depress a well designed button. Ever closed the door of an S-class Mercedes? They totally designed that experience.

[@ukxie]

The size of the screen of Hongqi L1 is expandable, as it is using flexible oled technology. Yeah, it is the 1st one in the world.

[@PrinceKashez9]

Green Interior is super fireeeee

[@thatguy_v4]

It would be nice if some of these cars made it outside of china. I would like to see the luxury car market shaken up globally, having some new brands in the global luxury car market would be interesting.

[@jiachen7865]

hongqi's signature head lamp is really making me wet since day one, that is just classic as hell beyond comparison, a big salute to hongqi‘s first gen designer

[@lepulanaledwaba9891]

The amount of attention given to each of these cars is impressive. Quantum leap in automobile luxury...

[@ETr4d3]

I saw an L1 few years ago at the parking of SongShan (Shaolin) Mountain

[@DaigoParry]

I love the front face grill and the headlamps. The proportions are right and I love it!

[@shanghaidiscovery2664]

great to see Hongqi (Red Flag) going back to its roots. The H9, EHS9 are nice but this extravagance is what they need and it has been driving their other model sales. Is it sometimes gaudy? sure but walk around Shanghai or Beijing and you will see gaudy AF RR's like recently a Swarovski clad Mulligan I saw....

[@krxzyd7956]

You do know that flag means communism right?

[@zachao9259]

You have not recognised at least two things: 1. The round metal on steering wheel is the beep function when you push it, which reflects the retro design of Hongqi cars in 19th century. 2) the infotainment screen in the front middle is a curved glass screen which can retract and disappear by rolling down into the interior.

[@honeybadger8303]

Just gorgeous!

[@kevbrown1867]

That L5 is Hideously gorgeous for sure if you want a car that says I got mine where’s yours this is the car for you . I don’t have a mil to blow on a car but if I did I would give it a look and compare to the Roll Royce Phantom

[@tren133]

Sadly they went with the Roll Royce aping hood ornament for the 2nd gen L5 here. The first gen L5 had a far more badass actual red flag hood ornament, and I can't believe they got rid of it for this dumb winged ornament. The OG Hongqi hood ornament was every bit as cool as the RR Spirit of Ectasy or the old Jaguar Leaping Cat ornament.

[@bokka409]

That green interior looks AMAZING.

[@leunam3434]

Fantastic car design and concept.

[@Expatriate1977]

I hope these come to USA because I really want one. It’s so beautiful. I don’t like most modern cars except the ones from China

[@cocoaiscool2709]

it is gorgeous (bentley like gorgeous) but who cares honestly, it just looks good

[@两岸猿声啼不住-轻舟]

How do you know？Have you ever driven this car?

[@cocoaiscool2709]

@@两岸猿声啼不住-轻舟gorgeous is about the looks no? why do I need to drive it to know I like the appearance?

[@calvo37]

@@两岸猿声啼不住-轻舟bro how does someone have to drive a car to think it looks cool lmao

[@kossyeze3336]

At this point, the Chinese are making cars look fun again.

[@agustinliden6189]

Absolutely incredible beautiful car❤❤❤❤

[@ghoindia]

Wow .. these cars are beautiful, retro integrated with modern luxury. Also looks like the 4 seater coupe is a straight forward copy of the Kennonseg Gamera.

[@izzo2271]

I think Hongqi should create a more global brand with an English name and sell outside of China

[@acuantjahyadi7393]

Begitupun Jepang harusnya ada merek mobil Bagero sang 😂

[@kevinjersey3136]

No way

[@welpen2006]

That would make sales easier! ❤❤

[@saint8257]

That car looks absolutely incredible.

[@scellowmcineka4087]

Love your reviews bro🔥🔥🔥Nice transition @2:19

[@hardangervidda002]

The retro styling is really cool

[@ARBITRAGEandTIME]

I love 💕 the green purple interior

[@pixelmasque]

Purple is majesty, honour, spirituality in ancient culture of china, royalty, the green is jade, prosperity, good life, well being, , good fortune, very strong Chinese ideas💚🌶️💯🌿🌳🌄

[@abhijeetlakra7202]

In India only maruti suzuki alto is my Rolls Royce 😂😂😂😂 on the basis of people love this car since 1984 & china live in future and i appreciate what a country man. I love it 💗💗💗

[@joshuaselate4647]

copy, paste, edit

[@台灣香腸配大蒜]

butt hurt so much......😂😂😂😂😂

[@gamudambaz]

Perfect formula

[@JagHeterAlfred]

The L1 was really cool! Like a newer Maserati draped over a Mulsanne

[@mi......]

not gonna lie, it's really beautiful

[@defoemagana2305]

The era of “German machines” and Italian and “American muscles” is slowly becoming to an end.

[@Jykobe491]

Unreliable German machines

[@sospeteramunga1813]

No lie on that.

[@dnc3861]

It is not a concurrent for an s class 😂😂

[@michaelestrinone2111]

Not really, where else chinese will continue to steal the design and technology?

[@Future-Classic-Cars]

Not with ridiculous names like "Hongqi" "Lynk & Co" "Great wall" you're *deluded* if you think people's will diss abandon, Marques with real *heritage* Shelby, Cobra, Msport AMG - BMW - Mercedes-Benz, Mustang, Dodge, Chinese named cars are complete Dog Shit, I'd rather have a Carrera GT than an fucking "Yang Wang!!!!!!" Lmao you fanboys make me laugh. The forever brands ain't going anywhere. EV's however are selling like led balloons in the rest of the world.

[@asimwaqar]

I have seen few of their cars on road here in Bahrain.. and I must say that they look really good

[@SpaceBound-1]

Tbh, e-hs9 looks better. They need to modernize it and make it more luxurious and they'll have something great.

[@JosueJavierPICOS]

I love my e-hs9! had it for 2 years now

[@tibchy144]

L1 is an amazing car with amazing design.

[@RSCB]

insane sunflower

[@MegaRetr]

Boy, the Chinese ain't playing)))

[@freedoctor5309]

In China, the Hongqi L5 series represents power and high social status, while Rolls-Royce only represents wealth! If they are driving on the same road, Rolls-Royce may have to consider giving way to the Hongqi L5 series! This is the ideology of many Chinese people!

[@guardiaguardia3017]

Did you said you has to be selected to purchase one?

[@CT37BN]

TEMU MaybachWhole presentation of the car is nuts. L5 is quite an intimidating sedan. I do think the chrome accents is bordering on the tacky side, it just doesn't give that opulent vibe.. less metal and more natural materials would give it a classier feel. Golden Sunflower concept is kind of like the 2004 Maybach Exelero version 2 China.

[@pixelmasque]

The metal elements are a big part of honouring the original design which was China's first car or first statesman car, that's why the vehicle and whole idea is considered special, hence the vehicle has a bit of an old classic look, it was a time of great significance in China's manufacturing growth, and the re-emergence of the design now is a statement to China's confidence and position in global manufacturing and global influence as a world leader, a sentimental beckoning of the success over struggle to come from nothing to where they are today, such opulence was rare in china for 200 years, after the fall of the dynasties, this case is more a symbolic gesture and recognition of China's global status back at the elite level,

[@JacksonWong-pw4zq]

Not for sale ?

[@kimheil4411]

Thank You. Beautiful Video.

[@wabb_dabb]

the first one looks really badass

[@lessdatesmoreonmyplates1457]

The Chinese manufacturers are absolutely killing it!!!

[@bavitasingh5004]

These cars are so different. I don't like Toyota, nissan but boi are these cars stunning. I want all 3

[@spencerkarrington3153]

If I had a million dollars to spare for a car, I would say take my money and double it cuz that is how much I love this car lol ❤❤

[@bigtunec1637]

not trying to be rude or anything but the front of the L1 reminds me of the Freightligner trucks and this is just not it L5 - Gaz Chaika 13 + RR Ghost previous gen Sunflower - Bentley EXP 100 GT Feels weird to re-watch something we've seen many times before for such a price

[@proxysystem442]

Was für ein schönes Auto 😍

[@pyootchnich]

To describe the front end, I’ll quote James May when he described the Honda Civic-R: “It’s like they took out a piece of paper and pen and drew up a design for a complete car. And then… they just kept going.”

[@MrTnylam]

Chinese EV's are next level, thus, 100% tariffs. US government is a complete mess and joke of the world.

[@runz2245]

Haters gana hate

[@mahyadnaadlaw3112]

Bringing back the 50's era. Feeling like a mahjong piece

[@heinlich]

Nobody would buy such cars made by so called state owned factory. That's the reason why Soviet Union collapsed.😂

[@mahyadnaadlaw3112]

@@heinlich 'Was' & 'Is'. Know the difference. Moreover, it really depends on managements. (yes, it's plural). Maybe you haven't visited china yet. Auto industry is speeding. Automotive Sales reached 30 million units in just a year. See your own brand/s wanting a part of it. And mostly have to deal w/ state owned companies.

[@joosiekawk]

i feel like these iconic Hongqi' cars have wayyyyy too little horse power and torque. for some highly prestigious vehicles like these, they should have at least 800 hp and 750 tq

[@cwdjdsd-36321cs]

Not even Rolls-Royce cars have 800hp. These are purely gasoline powered cars with V6 and V8 engines. If these were EVs it would be possible, anyway hongqi is transitioning towards EVs. Hongqi EVs that start from 40k USD price range have 600hp to 700hp

[@hongsienkwee537]

at 2:19 the lady watching you outside, making sure you don't drive away :-)

[@Terracotta-warriors_Sea]

Chinese cars now represent the best in the world!

[@marvellousodugbemi6093]

Naah , they may look fancy and beautiful, but performance is still an issue

[@kcfmark]

@@marvellousodugbemi6093 Naah, you only imagined you have tried all of them.

[@omniphoriusvcf907]

@@marvellousodugbemi6093 I agree. Impressive design, but those power numbers are seriously lacking, especially in cars that size.

[@Elonmusk898]

China make 💩cars. Tofu cars 😂😂😂

[@cbotten106]

I have figured out where BMW has been taking its styling cues from finally.

[@hammondnordland4822]

Great report as always! very very exclusive cars.

[@buaya111]

chinese cars look so cool, japanese and european cars looks old

[@welpen2006]

It looks like a Maybach. Amazing car! ♥️♥️

[@nickynik5951]

Saya menyukainya mantap🎉❤👍

[@larrybruce4856]

OMG----------------The only thing missing on China's Rolls-Royce, "Tank", is the Turret. This looks like something that should be on the battlefield. Does it come in camouflage ???

[@jiachen7865]

I love this guy's body language so much!!!

[@Bill-lr4kp]

If you drive a Rolls Royce in China, people will say you are wealthy. If you drive a Hongqi L1 or L5 in China, people will think that your power could be limitless.

[@goodboysady]

Man these luxury cars are getting crazy lmao it's just like what we imagined future cars would be like back in the 80s and sht especially sunflower model the last car

[@Whatta33]

China has obviously stepped into 22nd century already US still 20st 😂😂😂

[@passby8070]

The 6 series looks amazing !

[@maxbiagi3091]

Thats happend, when you order Bentley from Wish.

[@anderskandersson4613]

Neo-retro the baddest ass ❤❤❤ ... A beautiful combination of Chinese arts and modern engineering .

[@g.q.2461]

Folks the fake n the bootleg days about China is no more we should take china serious about technology, slowly slowly they are getting better n better

[@Elonmusk898]

Tofu dreg construction, fake foods, fake cars. Made in china is 💩

[@Njabuloseh]

L1 is gorgeous

[@fglatzel]

People who can afford a Rolls-Royce will always buy a rolls-Royce and nothing but a Rolls-Royce.

[@Mr.KenCoded]

How can you speak for everyone of us, what if you're wrong, some persons don't care about what u just said ,they want something unique, beautiful,classy and turn heads too,this car has it own soul and it is a very beautiful machine

[@fglatzel]

@@Mr.KenCoded I am not speaking for everybody and neither do you. In fact, your little fan-boy voice changes nothing of the fact that Chinese cars don't sell in the Western world.

[@Mr.KenCoded]

@@fglatzel Yeah they don't sell well in the west because of 100% tarrif on imported Chinese cars .

[@AmbientSwitcher]

It's because Rolls Royce are the only ones who have mastered there game but that doesn't mean it will always be on top, a competitor can always eliminate its competition

[@faithosadebe5293]

​@@fglatzelyou think so?. Chinese cars do not sell in the western world😂😂.. Boy, you are definitely blind as well as Can't think straight..

[@josebrito5202]

I love how the Chinese are integrating part of their culture and art on these cars.

[@Ceasar8980]

Boy, the Chinese ain't playing.....

[@lollolol3700]

a fool would think:

[@harrypothead4575]

@Wheelsboy Any idea whether this will be sold in foreign markets such as Nepal?