On July 17, 2020, 256 days ago, Voyah, the new energy brand under Dongfeng Motor, made an official announcement.
12 days later, on July 29, Voyah held a brand launch event in Wuhan, where they declared that they would release “at least one new car every year,” and I vaguely remember comments on Weibo after these words were spoken, criticizing it as “creating a car with just a PPT” or “pie in the sky.”
However, in less than five months after that, on December 18th of last year, Voyah officially released its first mass-produced car, Voyah FREE.
After a period of preparation and promotion, Voyah FREE began pre-sales on March 31, 2021.
Summary of Pre-Sale Conference Information
At today’s pre-sale launch event, Voyah FREE released a large amount of information about the car’s specifications, and I will give you a quick summary of this part.
Size and Price
Voyah FREE’s length, width, and height are 4905, 1950, and 1690 mm, respectively, with a wheelbase of 2960 mm. Its size is that of a standard large five-seater or a medium-sized SUV.
The prices of the cars officially released for pre-sale today range from 313,600 RMB to 333,600 RMB.
Voyah FREE’s strategy of having two models has added two more options to the new energy SUVs in the 300,000 to 400,000 RMB price range. In addition to its price, the car’s performance indicators are also impressive.
Power and EnduranceThe power output of the dual-motor 510 kW and peak torque of 1040 N·m make the power parameters of the LanTu FREE quite remarkable. With this power output, the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h for its extended range electric vehicle model takes only 4.5 seconds, while the pure electric model takes 4.7 seconds.
In terms of range, the LanTu FREE pure electric version has a range of 505 km with this drive system, while the extended range electric vehicle model equipped with a 33 kWh three-element lithium battery has a pure electric NEDC range of 140 km.
The range-extender system of the extended range electric vehicle model is composed of a 1.5T 4-cylinder engine with a rated power of 60 kW and a maximum power of 80 kW, along with a 56-liter fuel tank. The total comprehensive range under full fuel and full electric conditions reaches 860 km according to NEDC.
Chassis and Suspension
Both the extended range electric vehicle and pure electric versions of the LanTu FREE have front double-wishbone suspension and a multi-link structure with H arms in the rear. In addition, the LanTu FREE is equipped with height-adjustable (up to 50 mm down to 30 mm) air suspension.
Intelligence
The LanTu FREE has nine cameras for its driving assistance hardware, including three used for driving assistance, as well as three millimeter-wave radars and twelve ultrasonic radars. The driving assistance functions that it can achieve include lane-keeping, full-speed adaptive cruise control, automatic parking, and so on.
In addition, the LanTu FREE also has practical safety features such as Sentry Mode, door-opening warning, and driver fatigue monitoring.
As for OTA capability, the LanTu FREE supports whole vehicle FOTA and vehicle-machine SOTA.
Other Highlighted Features
In addition to the above key configurations, the LanTu FREE is also outstanding in terms of overall technology and comfort configurations, including:
- Glass panoramic sunroof with adjustable transparency level up to 10
- Three-piece liftable touch control panel
- Night vision driving system
- 10-speaker Danaher audio system
- 12-direction electric memory seats with massage, heating, ventilation, and memory functions
- Stepless adjustable ambient lighting
After summarizing the ending information section, let us take a closer look at this SUV.
A Low-Key Luxury SUV
At first glance, the exterior of the LanTu FREE appears to be gentle, exquisite, and low-key. Compared to the models of many new carmakers today, it is more restrained and low-key. This type of temperament is often seen in traditional luxury brand models.
However, beneath this understated appearance, the LanTu FREE boasts quite powerful dynamics and luxury configurations.
A Unique Range ExtenderFirst of all, the main push of the Voyah FREE series is the extended range version, and the reason is not complicated: objectively speaking, refueling at current gas stations is indeed more convenient than charging. And various plug-in hybrid models including the extended range version of the Voyah FREE series have no range anxiety due to the ability to refuel, which is a clear advantage over various pure electric models.
Based on the absence of range anxiety, the maximum driving power of the Voyah FREE dual-motor 510 kW is even higher than the Model Y Performance and ES6 performance versions in the same price range, and it also has 100% pure electric drive, low latency and high torque.
A mid-to-large-sized SUV that can accelerate from zero to one hundred in 4.5 seconds and can refuel sounds like a high-performance SUV with a V8 engine, or more specifically, at the level of fuel-powered mid-to-large-sized SUVs such as the BMW X5 M50i and the Porsche Cayenne GTS.
Although this is only a superficial analogy, it is enough to highlight the significant features of the Voyah FREE extended range system: high power and high performance.
And this is also a key difference between the Voyah FREE and the Ideal ONE, which are both extended range models.
Speaking of the comparison between the Voyah FREE and the Ideal ONE that everyone cares about, the Ideal ONE, positioned as a family car for new parents, has half the power of the Voyah FREE, with a driving power of 240 kW, and the corresponding acceleration from zero to one hundred is 6.5 seconds. This data is definitely not slow, but compared to the Voyah FREE, the power is obviously more likely to stimulate the driver’s adrenaline.
On the other hand, considering the issue of power supply, the Voyah FREE also uses a larger generator (rated power 60 kW, maximum power 80 kW) connected to the range extender. In order to maintain high power output even when the battery is low, the range extender in the Voyah FREE is activated when the lowest SOC limit is 21%.
The large-capacity 33 kWh ternary lithium battery, as an energy storage reservoir in the range extender system, provides sufficient peak-shaving capability for the input and output ends. Therefore, under this series of measures, it can be said that the Voyah FREE’s high-power and high-performance power output is guaranteed.And truth be told, although the 1.2T 3-cylinder range extender of the Ideal ONE presents a fairly acceptable driving experience, there are indeed some consumers who are somewhat averse to it. The 1.5T 4-cylinder range extender of the Voyah FREE will have better acceptance in this regard and theoretically will deliver better vibration control and NVH performance.
Regarding fuel consumption, the official data provided for the Voyah FREE is 8.3 L/100 km. Considering its power and size, the figure is not particularly high when compared to similar models. I would also like to point out two aspects that are easily overlooked: on one hand, this car can use No. 92 gasoline, and on the other hand, it comes with a large 56-liter fuel tank.
These two seemingly insignificant features allow the Voyah FREE to advance a step further in terms of range extension and long-distance driving capabilities when compared to the Ideal ONE.
Genuine and Complete Luxury
Let’s start with sound insulation. Voyah is very confident in the sound insulation of its own products this time. According to official information, except for the difference when the range extender of the Voyah FREE starts at low speeds, the NVH performance of both the range extending and pure electric versions of the Voyah FREE is consistent from 60 km/h onwards. This data also confirms the earlier claim that the 1.5T 4-cylinder range extender exhibits better NVH performance during high-speed driving.
Voyah officials indicated that in terms of high-speed NVH performance, the Voyah FREE is extremely outstanding even when compared to other models such as the Ideal ONE, the NIO ES6, and traditional luxury brands such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC and the Audi Q5L.
Apart from good passive sound insulation, such excellent NVH performance can also be attributed to the active noise reduction function provided by the 10-speaker Danner sound system inside the car.
As for comparison with these other models, the advantages of the Voyah FREE as a mid-to-large 5-seater SUV in terms of interior space are also quite obvious, especially in the second row where both horizontal and vertical space are excellent. When I experienced the car last year, I was even able to sit cross-legged in the back seat, and I am 180 cm tall!
Next, the chassis. The front suspension of the Voyah FREE is a double wishbone, while the rear is a multi-link structure with an H-arm. In terms of suspension, it is just like a luxury car. In addition, the front and rear suspensions of the Voyah FREE are made of aluminum alloy, and the lighter unsprung weight of the chassis theoretically allows the vehicle to have better dynamic performance.
The addition of air suspension takes the luxury suspension configuration of the Voyah FREE to the next level. In addition to providing better shock absorption, this air suspension can raise the height of the car by 50 mm and lower it by 30 mm. Depending on different driving conditions, the vehicle can adaptively adjust the chassis height, lowering the car body for better responsiveness and stability at high speeds, and raising it for better off-road capabilities.
Furthermore, this air suspension system is also equipped with a linked comfortable entry and exit function, making it easier for both front and rear passengers to get in and out.
In addition to these traditional luxury configurations, the Voyah FREE also has some configurations that embody a luxurious “ceremonial sense”, such as a three-screen center console that can be raised and lowered, a panoramic sunroof with 10 levels of adjustable transparency and an atmosphere lamp with infinite color adjustment.
The deep and textured blue-and-white interior color matching, and the OEKO-TEX material seats with baby-level skin-friendly standards further enhance the luxury of the entire vehicle visually and tactually.
When all these configurations are added together on a mid-size car priced at 313,600 RMB, the sincerity of the Voyah FREE can truly be felt.
Safety First under the State-owned Enterprise Label
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dongfeng in the high-end new energy field, although the Voyah brand is young, it has strong technical support in the field of automobile manufacturing thanks to its backing by Dongfeng. As a state-owned enterprise, Voyah also inherits the rigor and solid skills of this lineage.
In terms of the car body, the Voyah FREE uses a steel-aluminum hybrid body structure that is currently mainstream. Both the front and rear subframes are made of aluminum alloy structure. High-strength steel accounts for 75% of the entire body, while key collision force-bearing structural components such as A-pillars use a large amount of 1500 MPa hot-formed steel, accounting for 31% of the total – this ratio is even higher than that of the Volvo XC60.
The final torsional stiffness of the Voyah FREE vehicle reaches 36,164 N·m/deg. In order to achieve higher side-impact safety, Voyah FREE also has the highest strength aluminum silicon-coated crash beams in the industry added inside the front and rear doors.
In the 2021 C-NCAP crash test, the Voyah FREE unsurprisingly received a 5-star rating. As a new energy vehicle, in addition to the collision safety of the body, another important issue is battery safety.
Recently, the ternary lithium battery pack of the Voyah FREE pure electric version** passed the test of cell thermal runaway heating up to 300℃**, during which the cell experienced thermal runaway but did not cause further thermal spread. The battery pack was intact and without any damage, there was no ignition, explosion, or even smoke.
Behind this achievement, the battery pack used on the Voyah FREE pure electric version has undergone comprehensive fire-retardant protection at the cell level between 2170 cells. The temperature of the cell closest to the thermal runaway during the test was controlled to around 70℃.
In addition to safety on the thermal runaway level, the battery pack can also withstand a 200 KN, 20-ton extrusion test. The battery pack also meets the highest requirements for sealing level in the industry, IP X9K, and underwent a test during the research and development phase where it was powered on underwater for two hours at a depth of 1 meter.
The final safety standard of the Voyah FREE pure electric version’s battery pack has surpassed the national standard in 150 ways, and in order to achieve this level, Voyah has paid the price of extending the research and development cycle by 8 months and exceeding the research and development budget by more than 50%.
This may be a good example of Voyah’s attitude towards car manufacturing, as it is a state-owned enterprise.
Choosing between Voyah FREE and competitors at the same priceBy the above introduction, we can see that the Voyah FREE is a distinctive new energy vehicle. For consumers with a budget of 300,000 to 400,000 yuan, here is a comparison of the pros and cons of this car compared with its competitors.
First of all, in terms of advantages, the Voyah FREE has extremely strong power, even surpassing many pure electric models on the market, and the extended-range version also has no range anxiety. For consumers who want strong power but have no charging conditions, it is a good choice. This is also the most obvious advantage compared to the NIO ES6.
In addition, the overall configuration of the Voyah FREE is very high, and the suspension configuration almost reaches the top level of the same price range. Coupled with the mechanical tuning from a traditional brand, it should perform well in driving quality and comfort.
Compared with the Ideall ONE, which is also an extended-range model, the Voyah FREE has a smaller absolute space and one less row of seats, but the Voyah FREE is more inclined to luxury and performance. For users who do not need a car as large as the Ideall ONE on the one hand and have higher demands for power and driving quality on the other hand, the Voyah FREE is also a potential choice.
Like all new car makers, compared with traditional luxury brands of fuel cars, the Voyah FREE may lack some awareness in terms of brand. Considering reputation, buying a medium-sized SUV from BBA is indeed easier to attract more attention.
But in terms of product, the Voyah FREE is a higher-level mid-to-large SUV, much better than these luxury brand models in terms of configuration, power, and space, and the price is more sincere.
Then let’s talk about the shortcomings of the Voyah FREE and the areas where it may still need to prove itself.
Furthermore, regarding the brand, the endorsement of a central enterprise by the Dongfeng Group does bring many benefits and strengths to the Voyah FREE, but also because of this, young consumers may have more psychological resistance to this brand.
Many new car companies’ sales models and user operation logic have not been learned by traditional brands in transition, which will be a crucial challenge for the Voyah FREE. Judging from the current direct sales strategy and storefront style of the Voyah FREE, this can be expected, but the intelligent part that has not been experienced on the product side still needs to be questioned.
Additionally, the extended-range model of the Voyah FREE under the dual-model strategy indeed has many highlights, but in comparison, it also makes the pure electric model seem mediocre, giving one the feeling of self-sabotage.
But overall, the size, power, configuration, and safety of the Voyah FREE are still an option worth considering at this price.
ConclusionIt is a challenging task for the automotive industry to upgrade their brand. It used to be very difficult for independent brands to challenge the market above 300,000 RMB. However, under the trend of electrification and intelligence in the industry, we have gained invaluable opportunities. The successful new forces in China have also proven that this path is viable in the market.
For Dongfeng, a large state-owned enterprise with a traditional independent brand, it is commendable to have ideas and practices during this turning point.
The Voyah FREE is the first car launched by Dongfeng as a state-owned enterprise to enter the high-end new energy market. Under its high-end product positioning, its price is not low, which places very high demands on its product power. From current information, the Voyah FREE is indeed a distinctive and competitive product in this range.
Maybe in the eyes of some people, the image of the Voyah FREE is not young and flashy, unlike the futuristic technology image of new force models. But the Voyah FREE is such a car that puts a lot of effort into the core of the product, giving you the greatest satisfaction in the most practical parts of the car, and bringing you the best experience. However, when it appears in front of you, it presents a low-key and approachable appearance.
The target audience of this car may be the type of people who appreciate this kind of temperament.
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.