Almost out of nowhere, a new manufacturer of high-performance sports cars appears on the scene. Silk-FAW is a half Chinese, half Italian company that has in mind the production of electrified hypercars. From the most elitist and classic point of view, the firm has announced its plans for production in the most sacred land of the transalpine country. The Reggio Emilia area will add a new manufacturer to its already famous neighborhood.
In case you don’t know, the Reggio Emilia area is located in the heart of northern Italy. In its 231 square kilometers of surface are the factories of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ducati and . The four jewels in the crown of Italian sportsmanship. In that epicenter of sportsmanship, luxury and performance Silk-FAW is going to build a factory with which to stand up to the almighty Italian brands. At least that’s the plan.
Over the past few months, the company has worked hard to build its headquarters on sacred ground. The Reggio Emilia authorities have expressed their doubts about the project on more than one occasion. Silk-FAW will be the parent brand, while Hongqi will be the firm that finally markets the S9, the hybrid hypercar, if the project finally comes to fruition. Now it seems that the doubts have been resolved, although this has forced the initially agreed deadlines to be delayed.
Everyone hoped to start production in early 2023, but obviously it will be impossible to agree on such deadlines. The authorities have been particularly harsh on the project, forcing Silk-FAW to accept a series of commitments. The board of directors has had to show its full support, in addition to granting the necessary guarantees to erase the worries and concerns of the local government. Li Chongtian himself, director of FAW Capital Holding, has had to go in person to dispel any doubts.
If the authorities finally give the go-ahead, the works are expected to start soon, on August 5. During the construction phase it is expected to recover part of the lost time. The delays have come mainly from the problems regarding the financing and economic support of a project valued at more than 1,000 million dollars. Finally, only the last fringes remain to be finalized, but everyone seems satisfied and in agreement with the operation.
That brings us to the S9, the hybrid hypercar that aspires to become a stranger on hallowed ground. Marketed under the Hongqi brand, the S9 will show a combined scheme that will offer more than 1,400 horsepower and 1,050 Nm of torque with a top speed of more than 400 kilometers per hour. It will be capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 2 seconds, in less than six seconds it will be able to reach 200 km/h, and overcome the 300 km/h barrier when the stopwatch reaches the 11 seconds. The price? Unknown, although it will not be cheap.
