Test Car Specifications
Model: 2024 HiPhi Z
Price: TBC
Motor: two 247kW electric motors
Battery: 120kWh lithium-ion battery
Transmission: single-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power: 655hp
Torque: 410Nm
Emissions: 0g/km
Range: 344 miles
0-62mph: 3.8 seconds
Top speed: 124mph
Boot space: 316 litres
Styling
The HiPhi Z is nothing if not striking, and that's the way HiPhi intended it. The company makes no bones about its attempts to appeal to those not normally lured in by the Porsche Taycan et al, so it exists to make a statement. But whether you like that statement is another matter. The Z's angular design and array of lights, screens and panels is a bit of a mess, not helped by the incorporation of sensors on the roof, which gives it the appearance of a Hackney Carriage.
But it is clever. The lights can send pre-programmed messages across the car's flanks, and the daytime running lights can produce emoji shapes to help drivers communicate with the outside world. And the headlights are projectors, which means they can 'project' a zebra crossing onto the road when you're letting someone cross, or they can be used to project a video onto a wall, if you so wish.
Some of the styling features, however, are even more useful. Although the Z has 22-inch alloys, they're clad in rubberised hub caps designed to look dramatic, but be easy to replace if you kerb a wheel. It's like Citroen's AirBumps, but for your alloys.
Interior
Like the bodywork, the Z's interior is there to make a statement, although HiPhi would probably prefer the term "surprise and delight". Let's start with the surprises, which include beautifully sculpted and very comfortable seats, as well as surprisingly upmarket materials. While it's true the Z is no Bentley, and it isn't even up to Audi or Porsche levels, but it can contend with the likes of Volvo and Land Rover when it comes to premium feel. For a newcomer, the product feels more impressive than you might think.
Then there's the question of delight. In keeping with its high-tech theme, HiPhi has given the Z a clever touchscreen infotainment system that's on a robotic arm and can 'interact' with drivers and passengers by turning to face whoever is speaking to it. We couldn't test that functionality in our Chinese-spec car, primarily because we don't speak Mandarin, but the touchscreen interface seemed decent enough, even if it occasionally struggled to keep up.
But not all the tech felt quite so competent. The door mirrors, for example, are adjusted using touchscreen commands and buttons on the steering wheel, which seems an odd way of doing it, and the car's on-board safety tech seemed to love beeping at random moments. In fairness, it was a Chinese system trying to keep pace with German infrastructure, but it was still a little irritating.
Not as irritating, however, as some might find the way the car is constantly monitoring. Its sensors and cameras spend their lives keeping tabs on the occupants, the outside world and the car's systems, and some will undoubtedly be concerned about how that data is harvested and used. HiPhi's chief technical officer (who's a Brit, as it happens) assured us all the data is anonymised, but customers will likely take some getting used to a car that's constantly conducting small updates without necessarily informing its owner. The upside, however, is a car that's monitoring itself and fixing tech issues automatically. Only mechanical problems should necessitate a trip to a garage.
Practicality
While the HiPhi might be striking, the figures would suggest it isn't the most spacious car on the market. The 316-litre boot, for example, is pretty paltry by the standards of most saloon cars, and even the Volkswagen Polo has more space in the back than the HiPhi. Small wonder, then, that perhaps the HiPhi's biggest rival, the Porsche Taycan, has 100 litres more space in its boot.
But the HiPhi's interior is quite roomy, and there's enough legroom for even tall passengers to stretch out. Headroom is a little limited, though, which is no great surprise, and the view out of the back is not what you might hope for.
Performance
HiPhi might not be all that interested in conventional 'car stuff' but that hasn't stopped them giving the Z plenty of performance. With two electric motors churning out 655hp, it'll get from 0-62mph in less than four seconds, and it has four-wheel drive. It's a fast car, and it has a decent range, too, thanks to the massive 120kWh battery pack slung between the axles.
With that, the car will cover about 345 miles on a single charge, but charging speeds aren't immediately obvious. The official data simply says the car will charge from a DC rapid charger, but doesn't say how quickly, although HiPhi has said an 11kW charger with a commercial 'three-phase' electricity supply will take 12.4 hours to fill the battery.
Ride & Handling
That straight-line performance doesn’t necessarily match the Z’s handling, however, and the HiPhi never feels as poised as a Porsche Taycan or an Audi e-tron GT. It rides reasonably well, though, despite its 22-inch alloy wheels, because it comes with supple air suspension as standard. That means it rides particularly well at motorway speeds, and the car’s body is well controlled despite its weight.
That said, the handling is definitely better suited to touring than sporty driving, because there isn’t all that much feel through the steering wheel, even in the sport setting. That’s a shame, because the Z feels planted and stable, even with that much power, and it’s a refined cruiser – there’s very little sound in the cabin at all – but those who like driving will choose the Porsche or the Audi long before they come to this.
Value
HiPhi hasn't launched in the UK, and the company hasn't confirmed exactly when that will happen, but 2025 is the current best guess. As a result, pricing is still a bit of a mystery, but we have a bit of a guide to work with. The brand has already launched in Germany and Norway, where the Z costs more than €100,000, and it comes with plenty of kit as standard. All the usual stuff is included, plus the robotic touchscreen and all the ready-for-driverless tech. And customers can choose whether they go for five seats or four with a champagne cooler in the rear bench.
Verdict
The HiPhi Z is not perfect by any stretch, and there will be some would-be customers who will always be put off by the looks, but it's a much more convincing proposition than the X SUV. So much so that it's worthy of being measured against rivals from Audi and Porsche. But for all its talents, it comes up short in that company, and the Taycan remains our choice. That said, by the time the Z is available in the UK, it could be a lot closer to the Germans than it is right now.
