The Hongqi Guoli is the flagship ultra-luxury full-size limousine under China FAW's "Golden Sunflower" prestige line, officially launched in June 2024. Serving as the direct successor to the revered Hongqi L5, this model has been integrated into Hongqi’s newly established "Golden Sunflower" ultra-luxury sub-brand, anchoring the marque's pinnacle stable alongside the Guoya and Guoyao. Built around the core ethos of "A National Treasure to Greet the World" and positioned as a "Mobile State Gift", the Hongqi Guoli is tailored primarily for head-of-state diplomatic duties, top-echelon corporate engagements, and ultra-high-net-worth private collectors, standing as one of the most expensive and symbolically significant production luxury flagships in the history of China’s automotive industry.
Sitting at the apex of FAW Hongqi's "Golden Sunflower" portfolio, the Hongqi Guoli is categorised as an ultra-luxury full-size saloon with an official retail price of RM7,180,000, having made its market debut on 12 June 2024. As the fully revamped successor to the Hongqi L5, the Guoli marks a strategic rebranding from a numerical model code to a distinguished badge of honour, conceived to serve as a rolling calling card for modern China on the global stage. The limousine is built strictly on a bespoke, handcrafted basis, requiring prospective buyers to clear rigorous background and vehicle usage vetting by the marque, rather than relying merely on purchasing power. Within its rarefied segment, the Hongqi Guoli is priced second only to the Rolls-Royce Phantom (from RM8,470,000), making it the single most expensive production passenger car from a Chinese carmaker. Between January and October 2024, the Hongqi Guoli registered cumulative deliveries of 12 units. In October 2025, the model secured its first fleet export to the United Arab Emirates, setting a record for single-batch shipments and formally entering the Middle Eastern high-level state fleet sector.
The exterior styling of the Hongqi Guoli pays direct homage to the timeless retro aesthetic of the heritage Hongqi CA770, heavily infused with traditional Chinese cultural motifs. The imposing front end embodies the philosophical concept of "Round Sky and Square Earth", dominated by a massive vertical chrome waterfall grille with slats inspired by traditional Chinese jade flutes and bamboo joints, symbolising continuous upward progress. Flanking the grille, the signature round headlamp units feature intricate internal detailing derived from the caisson ceilings of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, casting an aura of depth and ceremony when lit. The centre of the bonnet retains FAW Hongqi’s iconic three-dimensional red flag emblem, whilst the retractable crystal hood ornament rises from the bonnet tip and automatically lowers once vehicle speed surpasses 20 km/h, adding a lavish sense of occasion.
In profile, the limousine adopts a classic boat-tail silhouette that sits higher at the front and tapers gracefully towards the rear, complemented by optional bespoke fender flagstaff mounts. Massive 21-inch solid-dish polished chrome alloy wheels are capped with Golden Sunflower centre badges and shod with 275/45 R21 rubber, giving the vehicle an exceptionally planted stance. Dimensionally, the limousine measures 5,980 mm in length, 2,090 mm in width, and 1,710 mm in height, with a substantial 3,730 mm wheelbase—measured just shy of the six-metre mark and putting it on par with the Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended Wheelbase.
The rear is distinguished by vertical Chinese palace-lantern tail lamps and four horizontal chrome accent strips symbolising rock-solid stability, accentuating its stately presence. Exterior paint options include deep solid tones such as "Cinnabar Black" alongside bespoke two-tone liveries.
Inside, the cabin features a dual-screen digital cockpit comprising a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 16.2-inch infotainment display, retaining tactile milled-metal switchgear alongside exquisite national intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship. The dashboard fascia and door cards are treated with traditional Chinese lacquerware and fine "shaded gold" embroidery depicting the "Four Gentlemen" (plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum) in classical ink-wash artistry. Finer touches include rotary switchgear styled after Fujian Tulou earth buildings, a central analogue quartz clock inspired by ancient sundials, and intricate speaker grilles featuring a 34-petal sunflower motif reminiscent of traditional Chinese door knockers, paying tribute to China’s 34 provincial-level administrative regions.
Under the bonnet, the Hongqi Guoli is powered by FAW Group’s proprietary 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine (designated V8TD), delivering a peak output of 285 kW (388 PS) and 530 Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. The official century sprint from 0-100 km/h is dispatched in 7.9 seconds, with top speed rated at 220 km/h and a combined fuel consumption figure of 15.2 L/100 km. The V8 unit incorporates high-precision balanced combustion technology, a Y-shaped quasi-circular ultra-rigid engine block, and a two-stage three-layer double-sided silent timing chain system, prioritising supreme mechanical refinement and whisper-quiet NVH levels over sheer aggression. Despite its imposing dimensions and a hefty kerb weight of 3,150 kg, all-wheel drive comes standard across the board, providing unflappable road-holding and tractive stability across all conditions.
The Hongqi Guoli rides on a bespoke front-engine, all-wheel-drive platform, suspended by an independent double-wishbone setup up front and an independent multi-link arrangement at the rear. This chassis architecture is specifically tuned to neutralise body roll and pitch under hard acceleration or heavy braking, delivering an effortless "magic carpet" ride. Steering is managed by an electro-hydraulic power steering rack, paired with ventilated disc brakes all around, an electronic parking brake, and Auto Hold. Adaptive air suspension with variable damping comes standard, automatically adjusting ride height and stiffness according to road conditions to meet the most exacting VIP ride quality standards.
The Hongqi Guoli is configured as an exclusive ultra-luxury four-seater, headlined by two individual "zero-gravity" executive thrones in the rear. These seats are hand-upholstered in imported European calfskin or buttery Napa leather, offering multi-way electric adjustment, powered leg rests, ventilation, heating, massage programmes, and memory presets, while the full-length rear centre console houses dedicated touch panels for rear climate, seating, and multimedia functions. Up front, the retro-themed dashboard incorporates modern connectivity, over-the-air (OTA) software update capability, and intelligent voice command. Creature comforts include four-zone automatic climate control with independent rear ventilation, acoustic laminated double-glazing, rear privacy glass, soft-close powered doors, and a hands-free powered boot lid. The cabin is further embellished with extensive hand-polished solid timber veneers and bespoke silk embroidery, highlighted by traditional ink-wash landscape murals spanning the passenger dash and door panels. Acoustic performance is delivered via a bespoke high-end audiophile sound system tuned specifically for the cabin's unique acoustics.
In terms of passive and active safety, the Hongqi Guoli is fitted as standard with 9 supplemental restraint system (SRS) airbags, including dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, and a front-centre airbag to mitigate occupant-to-occupant contact during side impacts. The active safety suite is equally comprehensive, featuring Blind Spot Monitoring/Lane Change Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward and Rear Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Door Open Warning. As a bespoke state-level VIP conveyance, the basic body shell is heavily engineered to accommodate specialised ballistic protection, explosive resistance, and fire suppression systems tailored to VIP specifications. Driver assistance is anchored by Cruise Control and a 540-degree panoramic surround-view camera system with transparent chassis display, eschewing overly complex autonomous driver assists in favor of failsafe mechanical reliability and rock-solid operational dependability.
The debut of the Hongqi Guoli generated considerable buzz across the ultra-luxury automotive sector. From January to October 2024, the flagship recorded 12 showroom deliveries, averaging roughly 1 unit per month. While these figures trail the Rolls-Royce Phantom (68 units over the same period) and Ghost (145 units), its RM7,180,000 price point firmly establishes it as the most exclusive and costly production saloon outside of the Phantom. Beyond private sales, the Guoli has been commissioned into China’s top-tier state diplomatic motorcades and successfully delivered in fleet batches to the UAE government for VIP reception duties, penetrating an elite diplomatic market long cornered by traditional Western marques. In June 2025, the Hongqi Guoli was showcased at the Hong Kong International Auto Show, reaffirming its bespoke ambitions on the regional stage.
Automotive media consensus highlights that the Hongqi Guoli not only fills a critical void for China in the ultra-luxury tier but also serves as a potent vehicle for cultural soft power. Rather than cross-shopping against mass-prestige mainstays like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW 7 Series, it trades punches directly with Rolls-Royce and Bentley on the world's most prestigious diplomatic and social stages. Industry analysts note that while the Guoli has achieved pinnacle status in mechanical engineering, build quality, and bespoke craftsmanship, its sustained prestige will hinge on cultivating multi-generational brand heritage and curating exclusive white-glove ownership experiences.
All in all, as the crowning achievement of China’s automotive industry, the Hongqi Guoli redefines the upper ceiling of homegrown automotive luxury with its imposing six-metre profile, 4.0T V8 powertrain, artisanal heritage craftsmanship, and RM7,180,000 price tag. More than just a luxury limousine, it stands as a rolling emblem of Oriental aesthetics and national ceremonial stature, marking a definitive shift for Chinese carmaking from technical follower to cultural trendsetter in the ultra-luxury arena.
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