The Chinese Startup Human Horizons is Attracting Automotive Media Attention with Its HiPhi Z Electric GT
The Chinese startup Human Horizons has recently caught the attention of automotive media. The company is involved in the automotive manufacturing sector and has introduced its second product, the HiPhi Z electric GT.
HiPhi Z is positioned as a futuristic vehicle in the Grand Tourer (GT) segment. According to Human Horizons, the car emphasizes cutting-edge technologies to such an extent that they claim driving the HiPhi Z is like experiencing the automotive industry 20 years into the future.
But what exactly does the HiPhi Z offer, and how credible are these bold claims? That’s what we’ll explore next.
Design
With a closer—and fairly quick—look, the chassis and body structure of the HiPhi Z appear quite similar to that of the Porsche Panamera. Essentially, the main panels have been replaced with new ones, but the overall silhouette is familiar.
This isn’t the first time Chinese automakers have shown their admiration for the Panamera, either.
HiPhi Z measures 5,036 mm in length and 2,018 mm in width, compared to the Panamera’s approximate 5,049 mm length and 1,937 mm width, depending on trim and configuration. These close dimensions further support the claim of design resemblance.
One signature feature of electric vehicles—drawing inspiration from the essence of electricity itself, the light bulb—is the extensive use of LED light strips. HiPhi Z features 4,066 LED lights strategically placed throughout the vehicle.
According to the startup, the vehicle’s doors use UWB (Ultra-Wideband) technology for smarter interaction. This tech improves identification of the approaching user, enables animated light-based greetings, and allows for more responsive smart locking. Interestingly, it can even detect surrounding people or vehicles and calculate the optimal angle and timing for automatic door opening, using data analyzed by sensors and algorithms.
Another playful design detail: the car can display emojis using its LED body lights.
While the rear doors open in a “suicide-style” configuration, a large B-pillar somewhat detracts from the visual elegance of this feature.
A significant amount of attention has been paid to aerodynamics, especially at the rear. The active rear spoiler and wing automatically adjust to optimize drag coefficient, enhancing the vehicle’s performance—a concept previously used in advanced models from Mercedes-Benz.
Interior
Inside, artificial intelligence and HiPhi’s proprietary software dominate. Almost all cabin adjustments are handled via machine learning algorithms.
Notable tech highlights include:
A rotating central display for infotainment controls
A dual-spoke steering wheel with customizable buttons
Recycled materials for fabric-textured areas
Smart ambient lighting
A Meridian Audio system with 23 speakers
Vegan leather sport seats
Powertrain
The HiPhi Z is equipped with a 120 kWh battery pack, offering a driving range of up to 705 kilometers. Although detailed specifications about the electric motors haven’t been disclosed, the vehicle boasts a 0–100 km/h acceleration in just 3.8 seconds.
More Technical Highlights
The chassis uses a hybrid aluminum-steel structure to optimize weight. The car also features adaptive suspension with active CDC shock absorbers, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride.
A particularly impressive engineering touch: the rear-wheel steering system, which enables a nearly Mini Cooper–like turning radius, despite the HiPhi Z’s 5-meter length.
HiPhi Z uses a NVIDIA Orin X chip and QNX Neutrino OS, managing 34 high-precision sensors along with LiDAR technology. This sophisticated sensor suite continuously scans the environment, promising a highly advanced and reliable safety system.
Pricing
In the Chinese market, the HiPhi Z is priced between $89,000 and $129,000.