EV
Hongqi Powers Up Luxury EVs with Plus Upgrades and a PHEV Tease
Hongqi is stepping up its presence in the Philippine luxury EV market with the launch of updated versions of two flagship models—the E-HS9 Plus and the E-QM5 Plus. The event, held at the TDG In.Hub Atrium in Taguig, also teased the brand’s upcoming plug-in hybrid SUV, the HS3 PHEV.
The most significant upgrades are found under the hood—or rather, in the batteries. The full-sized E-HS9 SUV now stretches its driving range to 515 kilometers on a single charge, an increase from the previous 440 km. The mid-sized executive sedan E-QM5 Plus goes even further, boosting its range to 560 km from 430 km.
Beyond range, both models now bring added comfort and features. The E-HS9 rolls on larger 22-inch rims, while music lovers will enjoy the BOSE premium system with 16 speakers. The E-QM5 Plus, meanwhile, comes with ventilated seats and cruise control for a more relaxed ride.
Hongqi Philippines co-CEO and EvoXTerra president Rashid Delgado said the upgrades reflect the brand’s focus on innovation and luxury: “We are dedicated to ensuring that every model Hongqi releases delivers the most advanced EV technology to date, wrapped inside pure decadence.”
The E-HS9 Plus is priced at PHP6,480,000, while the E-QM5 Plus retails at PHP1,880,000.
But the spotlight wasn’t only on the new EVs. The brand also previewed the Hongqi HS3 PHEV, a five-seat compact SUV that blends a 1.5-liter turbo gasoline engine with a 225 hp electric motor. Together, they deliver over 1,400 kilometers of hybrid range or 115 kilometers of full-electric range. With a 0–100 km/h sprint time of 7.6 seconds and the ability to fast-charge in 19 minutes, the HS3 PHEV promises both performance and practicality.
The model also offers a 3.3 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function, advanced driver assistance systems, and a spacious, tech-laden cabin. Hongqi says it was designed to feel like a pure EV, with instant power delivery, quiet operation, and refined ride quality.
Hongqi’s lineup, now available in showrooms in BGC, Alabang, Manila Bay, and Quezon City, positions the brand as one of the strongest challengers in the country’s growing premium EV segment.
BMW is preparing to take its performance division into a fully electric future, with the first all-electric BMW M models set to arrive from 2027. The brand says these vehicles will carry the same high-performance character that defined BMW M on racetracks and public roads for decades, now powered entirely by electricity.
The upcoming models are built on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform and use a newly developed electric system called BMW M eDrive. Unlike current setups, each wheel is powered by its own electric motor. This four-motor layout allows precise control of power delivery at every corner, improving traction, stability, and response during both daily driving and track use.
At the center of this system is BMW M Dynamic Performance Control, managed by a high-speed computing unit known internally as the “Heart of Joy.” The system processes driving data in real time and adjusts torque distribution instantly. BMW says this allows the electric M cars to behave like rear-wheel-drive models when needed, while still benefiting from all-wheel-drive capability for grip and efficiency. The front axle can even be fully decoupled during steady highway driving to improve range.
Power comes from a newly developed high-voltage battery with more than 100 kWh of usable energy. The battery is designed specifically for high-performance use and supports 800-volt charging technology for faster charging times. BMW also highlights improved energy recuperation, which allows the system to recover more power during braking without compromising performance.
The battery housing plays a structural role in the vehicle, connecting the front and rear axles. This design increases overall stiffness and contributes to sharper handling. Cooling systems and electronic controls have also been upgraded to handle sustained high loads during aggressive driving.
BMW M is also introducing new lightweight materials in these electric models. For the first time, natural fiber components will be used in place of some carbon fiber parts. The company says these materials offer similar strength while reducing carbon emissions during production.
BMW M managing director Franciscus van Meel said the shift to electric power allows the brand to push performance further while staying true to its racing roots. The company positions these upcoming models as everyday cars that can still deliver serious track capability.
Chinese automaker Deepal is set to enter the Philippine market after naming Autohub Group as its official local distributor.
The partnership was sealed through a formal signing with Changan Automobile Southeast Asia, giving Deepal a clear path into the country’s growing electrified vehicle space. Autohub said the brand will roll out a lineup focused on battery electric and range-extended electric vehicles aimed at daily urban use and light adventure driving.
Leading the initial launch is the Deepal S05 compact SUV. It will be offered in two versions. One is a range-extended electric vehicle designed for longer driving range and flexibility. The other is a full battery electric model aimed at city use. Both are positioned as accessible entry points into electrified mobility.
Joining the S05 is the Deepal G318, a range-extended electric SUV built with off-road capability in mind. The model targets buyers who want electric driving for daily use but need extra capability for rougher terrain. Autohub also confirmed that the larger Deepal S07 midsize SUV is lined up for release in the following quarters.
Deepal’s first major public appearance in the Philippines is scheduled for April 2026 at the Manila International Auto Show. The brand is expected to reveal more details about pricing, specifications, and its local market strategy during the event.
Autohub President Willy Tee Ten said bringing Deepal to the country supports the group’s plan to introduce forward-looking mobility brands that match rising interest in electrified transport. He added that the brand’s technology focus and product range fit everyday driving needs in the Philippine market.
No official pricing has been announced. Autohub said more information will be shared closer to the brand’s public debut.
OMODA & JAECOO closed 2025 with momentum that few young auto brands can match. In less than three years, the brand expanded into 64 markets across Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America, with cumulative global sales passing 800,000 units. Growth came even as several global markets slowed, placing OMODA and JAECOO among the fastest-growing automotive brands worldwide.
Europe stood out as a key battleground. The brand posted strong market share gains in countries such as the UK and Italy, while electrified models powered much of the growth. Hybrid and electric vehicles equipped with the SHS Super Hybrid System became a major driver, supporting the company’s push in the new energy segment.
Recognition followed sales. Across multiple regions, OMODA and JAECOO picked up awards that covered brand strength, product performance, and powertrain technology. In the UK, JAECOO was named Carwow Brand of the Year 2026, while the JAECOO 7 and OMODA 5 earned model-level honors. In Spain, the SHS Super Hybrid System received Autobild’s Technology of the Year award.
Southeast Asia delivered both trophies and traction. In Thailand, the JAECOO J5 EV and J7 SHS-P won Car of the Year and Best PHEV SUV titles. Malaysia saw the J7 and J8 secure multiple awards, while in Indonesia, the J8 SHS set a Guinness World Record after completing a real-world driving range test of 1,660 kilometers.
Latin America added to the tally. The OMODA C5 and JAECOO 5 were named Most Recommended Vehicle of the Year by Autocosmos Chile, while Brazil recognized the J7 SHS as Mid-size Hybrid of the Year. Taken together, the awards formed a wide-ranging validation across regions, segments, and technologies.
High-profile appearances also boosted global visibility. At IAA Mobility in Germany, OMODA and JAECOO showcased their SHS technology lineup and flagship models, drawing attention for performance, efficiency, range, and safety. The brand followed this with dynamic demonstrations at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, strengthening its presence among European performance and premium car audiences.
Outside traditional auto shows, the brand leaned into pop culture and lifestyle partnerships. A global collaboration with Jurassic World linked the vehicles’ rugged positioning with adventure themes from the film franchise. Fashion and entertainment events followed in Spain, Brazil, the UK, Italy, South Africa, and Vietnam, allowing the brand to connect with younger audiences through music festivals, fashion weeks, and major cultural gatherings.
Behind the brand’s expansion sits its parent company, Chery Group, which ranked 233rd on the 2025 Fortune Global 500 list. By mid-2025, Chery had exported more than five million vehicles worldwide, underlining the scale supporting OMODA and JAECOO’s international push.
OMODA continues to position itself as a crossover-focused brand, while JAECOO targets the premium off-road and SUV space. Both tracks feed into the company’s broader goal in electrification, with SHS hybrid and electric systems anchoring future plans. Beyond vehicles, the group has also expanded into intelligent technologies, including a service robot developed with the AiMOGA team that debuted in public service use at the Asian Youth Para Games.
By the end of 2025, OMODA and JAECOO had turned rapid expansion into recognition across markets, shows, and award stages. The brand now moves forward with a larger global footprint and growing credibility in electrified mobility.
Pingback: Timeless Drive - ridenetwork.ph