Chinese President Xi Jinping's Vehicle Is Here In Malaysia. Here Is What We Know About It
The Hongqi N701 was reportedly spotted at the Bunga Raya VIP Complex in KLIA.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's official vehicle has arrived in Malaysia ahead of his scheduled visit, which will take place tomorrow, 15 April, to Thursday, 17 April
Photos of the vehicle have surfaced on social media since yesterday, 13 April, with claims that it was spotted at the Bunga Raya VIP Complex in KLIA.
Image via Aerodynamic41(Reddit)
The vehicle, said to be the equivalent of the US president's bulletproof limousine, is manufactured by FAW Group under its luxury brand, Hongqi.
Xi's vehicle is said to be a limousine called Hongqi N701, measuring 6m in length and 2m in width.
While the exact specifications of the vehicle remain unconfirmed, Car News China reported that it most likely features a 3-litre V6 engine capable of producing 283 horsepower.
Additionally, it is equipped with an electric motor, boosting the combined power output to an impressive 462 horsepower.
Designed as a four-seater, the N701 is reportedly fitted with bulletproof windows for enhanced security.
However, it is unclear if the vehicle possesses features similar to those of the US president's official car, known as 'The Beast', which includes a firefighting system, smoke screens, and 20cm-thick walls — all encapsulated in a 10-tonne structure.
Image via Car News China
Hongqi, which translates to 'Red Flag' in English, is expected to produce 50 units of N701 over 10 years, with all vehicles dedicated to official use
Established in 1958, Hongqi began mass production a year after its inception, earning recognition as China's oldest passenger car brand.
In 1965, the brand launched a three-row sedan, the CA770. Initially reserved for government officials and ceremonial events, Hongqi subsequently launched subsidiary models designed for the mass public.
Today, Hongqi represents the pinnacle of Chinese automotive luxury. From the iconic CA770, famously associated with Mao Zedong, to the modern L5 sedan, a preferred choice among China's elites, each Hongqi vehicle captures the essence of Chinese luxury and refinement.
During Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's visit to China in March last year, he was being transported in an L5.
In the same year, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, was presented with the same model, reported the New Straits Times.
It is reported that the L5 costs USD700,000 (about RM3 million), making it more expensive than the Rolls-Royce Phantom.
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, was presented with a new Hongqi L5 in April 2024.
Image via New Straits Times
Here are the roads that will be closed during Xi's visit:
Photos of Anwar's official vehicle in China went viral in March last year:
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