Shanghai, September 25 (Gasgoo.com) Chinese automaker FAW Car Co., Ltd. said yesterday that its HQE limousine of the time-honored Hongqi (Red Flag) brand has been designated for official use in the grand military parade in Beijing on National Day, Oct. 1. Jiefang Daily reported.

The Red Flag premium sedan was domestically designed and developed by FAW Car, an old unit of Chinese auto giant FAW Group. The famous Chinese sedan was mainly used by China's high-ranking officials in the 1950s-1980s. The upcoming national celebrations will restore this "official sedan" brand to its former glory. 

Chinese President Hu Jintao is expected to ride in the new HQE limo to inspect a grand military parade across Tiananmen Square in Beijing on October 1, 2009, a special National Day to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

As it is a 100% handmade limo, the HQE costs more than 3 million yuan ($439,300). It stretches over 6 meters long. The Chinese-developed V12 engine produces 300kw at 5600rpm and a max torque of 550nm at 4000rpm, and the cylinders measure 84mm x 90mm.

FAW expects this expensive sedan model to rival Rolls-Royce Phantom and Bentley. This can also be easily seen from the model's new exterior, interior, configurations and powertrain while it still features the Red Flag brand's classic elements.

The HQE will be the most expensive Hongqi car ever produced by FAW, with mass production to begin in late 2009, and is likely to go on sale by the end of this year for more than 3 million yuan.

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