Abstract Continuous cooling transformation characteristics of steel 22MnB5 were studied in detail using dilatometer method. The influence of hot forming procedure parameters, such as heating rate, austenizing temperature, and holding time on microstructure transition was analyzed. Microhardness was tested afterwards. The microstructure obtained from the dilatometer samples reveals that for heating temperatures above 850 °C samples fast heated for 10s holding couples with full austenite transformation and can get a fully martensitic microstructure after immediately quenching with 30 °C/s cooling rate. The same is for samples heated with 10 °C /s to 930, 900, 880, 860, and 840 °C for 300s holding conditions. In the studied cases, hardness of the samples is around 500HV. Hot stamping V-type automotive parts were subsequently manufactured using a self-designed special tool set with cooling system in it, heating to 860, 880, 900, and 920 °C for 300s holding correspondingly, following die quenching as soon as possible. The tensile strength of the parts reaches 1500 MPa, and total elongation A 80 achieves 8%. It is found that heating temperature lower to 880 °C is good for getting a much finer fully martensitic microstructure, and a better property combination.