Executive Class Five Luxury Cars from China

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Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

Some Chinese car manufacturers are challenging the old automotive world where Mercedes & Co previously considered themselves unbeatable—in the luxury class.

It wasn't long ago that the Mercedes S-Class was the most prestigious car one could drive in China—and in Stuttgart (Germany), they could hardly keep up with counting the money. The same was true for BMW in Munich and Audi in Ingolstadt (Germany). But times have changed, and a sharp wind is now blowing even up into the executive class.

Because firstly, the German car manufacturers have either missed or at least stumbled in the electrification process. While the BMW i7 is still relatively well received, the Mercedes EQS has failed outright in China, and Audi has no battery car in this class at all. Secondly, the upper class in the Far East is now also showing a certain patriotism and prefers to buy domestic products at the high end of the spectrum—especially as these are becoming increasingly competitive. Five examples:

Nio ET9: Welcome to Cloud Cuckoo Land

Huge range and record-breaking charging capabilities—this is no longer a surprise with the top model of a Chinese brand, even when it's almost a bargain with a starting price of around 100,000 euros (114.970 USD). But with the luxury lounge in the rear, the Nio ET9 makes the established Europeans look old. Because lounging on the massage seat at the back right is not only more comfortable than in a long 7 Series or a Maybach, but the ambiance is also at least as elegant. The fact that the folding table is a designer piece and doesn't feel like something from Ikea or that the refrigerator also keeps food warm are two minor details that garner the Chinese a lot of attention.

Nio further surprises by challenging Mercedes & Co in one of their showcase disciplines, equipping the 5.32-meter-long (approx. 17,4 ft long) fastback sedan with what is currently probably the most sophisticated chassis in this class. Electrohydraulic dampers with lightning-fast control, fine sensors, and a cloud database with all the road bumps and street damage in China make the ET9 a gentle glider. Wrapped in cotton wool and resting on clouds, one floats towards their destination. While even the S-Class starts to falter in China, two tire blowouts at 170 km/h (approx. 106 mph) don't faze the Nio flagship.

Software-defined vehicles

Series deployment: New steer-by-wire steering from ZF in the Nio ET9

Denza Z9 GT: The Better Taycanera

It looks like a mix between a Porsche Taycan and a Panamera. But while they used to laugh about such a plagiarism in Stuttgart, they now almost have to beware of the Denza Z9 GT from the BYD empire. Not only does the nearly 5.20-meter-long (approx. 17 ft long) shooting brake, designed by former Audi design chief Wolfgang Egger, look at least as good as the two four-door models from Stuttgart, but it is also technically on par, if not better.

In addition to the pure electric version with 965 PS and a 100-kWh battery for more than 600 kilometers (approx. 373 miles) of range, there is a plug-in hybrid with a battery nearly twice the size of the Panamera's, offering over 200 kilometers (approx. 124 miles) of electric range. This boosts the combined range to over 1,100 kilometers (approx. 6834 miles). No wonder the Chinese have installed particularly comfortable seats and two refrigerators as well, considering how rarely one needs to stop with the Denza. Even the most distinguished BYD investor doesn't rely solely on drive and ambiance but also indulges in a few technical gimmicks. Denza has programmed the two electric motors on the rear axle to spin counter to each other, allowing the shooting brake to even perform a crab walk. Ostensibly, this helps primarily with parking and maneuvering. But most importantly, it makes the Z9 GT a star on social media—and for many customers, that's more important than any road presence.

How serious the Chinese are about their push into the executive class will be seen this summer. Because while Nio, for example, has not yet decided on the export of the ET9, the Z9 GT is venturing into the lion's den and will soon start in our market.

Yangwang U7: Powerplay in fine Attire

BYD is not solely relying on Denza and the Z9 GT in its push to the upper echelons; it also has another ace up its sleeve with the Yangwang U7. Designed as a sleek yet relatively classic sedan, it becomes the new top trump in the quartet of electric luxury liners, partly because of its potent powertrain. On the one hand, it comes with four motors totaling an impressive 1,300 PS, allowing it to accelerate to 100 km/h (approx. 62 mph) in less than three seconds, despite weighing 3.1 tons. On the other hand, because the battery is a staggering 135 kWh, enabling it to achieve over 700 kilometers (approx. 435 miles) in the standard cycle. Even if the measurements in China are somewhat more lenient, the U7 leaves cars like the 7 Series far behind.

With this car, it's not just about performance and stamina. For the U7, BYD has come up with a particularly sophisticated suspension that, with fast regulation and large suspension travels, makes all sorts of gimmicks possible. For example, snow no longer needs to be swept off the car laboriously; instead, the vehicle shakes it off almost automatically with a few quick suspension jolts.

Maextro S800: Who has the Longest

Even a Maybach and Rolls-Royce seem petite in comparison. At 5.48 meters, the Maextro S800 claims the title of the longest limousine from China. This luxury liner from the joint venture between telecom giant Huawei and car manufacturer JAC boasts not only presence, pomp, and space. For prices ranging from approximately 132,000 to 198,000 euros (approx. 151,760 to 22,764 USD), it offers the same star-studded luxury as the British, more comfort than the Germans, and yet another chassis gimmick. Because the rear-wheel steering is much more aggressive than in the S-Class & Co, the S800 literally sways between parked Maybachs in the promotional video, leaving the limousines from the old world literally far behind.

The Chinese are apparently planning a purely electric version with three motors totaling around 1,000 PS, as well as a variant with a range extender. In the latter, a combustion engine acts as a generator and is expected to enable four-digit ranges. For comparison, the Rolls-Royce Spectre achieves half as much, and there's as little talk of an electric limousine at Maybach as there is at Bentley.

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Gallery with 5 images

Hongqi HS9: Red Flag Proudly in the Wind

With their concepts, they have been a constant source of hearty laughter at the auto shows in Beijing or Shanghai in recent years. Whether Hongqi tried their hand at regal limousines or big SUVs, the show models always looked like a mix of a copy and a caricature of European luxury liners. But the laughter of the European premium brands might slowly be catching in their throats. Because at home in China, the luxury division of the FAW Group now sells more than 300,000 cars a year. Abroad, the Chinese, who proudly bear their name "Red Flag" with a blazing LED signature in the mighty grille, are making waves with a massive electric SUV.

As if the format of a good 5.20 meters (approx. 17 ft) in length weren't eye-catching enough, the Chinese have adorned the car with plenty of tinsel. But glitz and glory have a tradition with the "Red Flag." After all, Hongqi was the first brand in the Middle Kingdom and began its business in 1958 with modified American luxury limousines for the elite in the party and politics.

The HS9 doesn't have to fear much competition yet. Because, so far, there is no electric SUV from Rolls-Royce or Bentley, and the Maybach EQS largely flies under the radar. No wonder the Chinese are already venturing out to Europe.

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