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China's FAW just debuted the Red Flagship in its Hongqi (Red Flag) lineup. Rejuvenating one of China's oldest upscale car names, the new HQ3 sedan is Red Flag's take on the Toyota Crown Majesta. The Hongqi brand was generally FAW's outlet for their large luxury cars, which were intended for only the elite. Most Hongqi models were based on older Audi designs, so this Toyota based HQ3 will be a huge improvement. Further encouraging news is the fact that FAW has partnerships with not only Toyota, but Volkswagen, Audi and Mazda as well. Should produce some nice copies cars.

The HQ3 will use Toyota-derived 3.0-liter V-6 and 4.3-liter V-8 engines. FAW plans to build about 13,000 units a year at its home plant in Changchun. They are even talking about a bulletproof version for use by government officials. The HQ3 went on sale yesterday at the start of the Beijing show. Prices will start at about 499,800 yuan ($63,500) for the base 3.0-liter. The uplevel 3.0 was announced at 566,800 yuan ($72,000), and the 4.3-liter at 688,800 yuan ($87,500).

Because it's based on the Toyota Crown Majesta (think home market Lexus GS, but different), the driving dynamics should be pretty good. The top option 4.3-liter should do 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. Alphabet soup acronyms dot the equipment lists across the range: ETCS-I, ACIS, Dual VVT-i V6/DOHC/24V, ABS_EBD_VSC (Vehicle Stability Control System), TRC (Traction Control System), and HAC (uphill auxiliary control system). The HQ3 is also equipped with a night vision system, collision avoidance systems, and projection speed display, intelligent adaptive headlight system, AFS, automatic guidance system, and a tire pressure warning system amongst others. Tons of pics after the jump. Car looks good, but that signature red hood bulge has us thinking of a Proboscis Monkey.source : autoblog, Red Flag via Autoblog Chinese

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So Lexus cars are using less and less woodgrain, and now I see where it's all going! The interior is to die for. This car is beautiful!

I still prefer the JDM version better!

These cars are so sick!

and the sad thing is this car will never make it to the US land.

:thumbup: Now that's what I call big-body pimpin'!!

Also, like what others have said...it's really sad that these cars won't be available here :(

wow oh wow.. the front grill looks a bit like the Lincoln but everything else is a :thumbup:

0-60 in 7.3 seconds? For a V8 engine?

C'mon!

0-60 in 7.3 seconds? For a V8 engine?

C'mon!

Weight my friend. Not all V8's are fast. That's like saying the V10 excursion has a slow 0-60 for a V10.

That is one good looking toyota. :thumbup: :thumbup:

0-60 in 7.3 seconds? For a V8 engine?

C'mon!

That time should be more for the V6, since this and the GS are siblings

That time should be more for the V6, since this and the GS are siblings

It might be a missprint.

Weight my friend. Not all V8's are fast. That's like saying the V10 excursion has a slow 0-60 for a V10.

But this is the same 4.3L V8 that's in the GS430 and LS430. And they fly to 60MPH in 5.9 seconds or so.

If it's weight, that's one heavy car. I have a feeling they're not using the 6 speed transmission.

OK, before the using audi A100 as Hongqi branded car, now Toyota??? China Government is changing their interest,,, :rolleyes:

Not right hand drive?

Not right hand drive?
LHD in China, RHD in Japan & Hong Kong . . .

Is it me or does the headlight/frontend = lexus ls 430?

and the sad thing is this car will never make it to the US land.

I've said it before and I'll said it again, it's actually not that difficult to get that car in legally to the U.S.

But hey, your is350 ain't too shabby either.

I've said it before and I'll said it again, it's actually not that difficult to get that car in legally to the U.S.

But hey, your is350 ain't too shabby either.
Why should Toyota bring this car to the US? This car shares many things with the LS430(eg: engine). Since we have LS430(now we have LS460:D), this car will only taken some of the LS's costomers away(like the situation of 350Z & the G35 couple)...