Introduction

Author: Turbocharged Little Fatty

Prior to the Guangzhou Auto Show last year, the first MPV model of Voyah, Voyah Dreamer, was officially unveiled. Last month, Voyah Dreamer officially started pre-sales, with a price range of ¥380,000-¥480,000 for the 7-seater and ¥600,000 for the 4-seater. In the same month, my coworker, Dad Sid, and I test drove the Voyah Dreamer intelligent multi-mode version…

Last night, Voyah Dreamer finally went on sale, with the 7-seater version priced at ¥369,900-¥439,900 and the 4-seater private customization version priced at ¥639,900 and up. Let’s take a look at some basic information:

• Voyah Dreamer includes 4 configuration versions, including Dream, Desire, Home, and Private customization, and 8 models consisting of 2 power modes, low-carbon (intelligent multi-mode) and zero-carbon (high-performance pure electric).

• The two power modes of the same configuration version have the same price.

• The intelligent multi-mode power mode has a range of 750km under the WLTC test cycle.

• The pure electric standard range version has a range of 475km under the CLTC test cycle.

• The pure electric standard range version can be upgraded to the extended range version for an additional ¥50,000, which has a range of 605km under the CLTC test cycle.

• The base model is the 7-seater “Home” series, priced at ¥369,900.

• The “Home” series can be upgraded to the 7-seater “Desire” series by adding the “Smart Driving Package” for an additional ¥20,000, priced at ¥389,900.

• The “Home” series can be upgraded to the 7-seater “Dream” series by adding the “Intelligent Experience Package” for an additional ¥70,000, priced at ¥439,900.

• The 4-seater private customization version starts at ¥639,900.

So, combining the same level of MPV products currently available on the market with the product strength of Voyah Dreamer, what kind of car is Voyah Dreamer that starts at ¥369,900?

Can it Carry Stuff, Run, and Take Care of the Family?

First, let’s take a look at the product strength of Voyah Dreamer. What are its pros and cons? Let’s take a look at our test drive video:

Compared to several popular car models I have experienced, such as Toyota Alphard, Toyota Sienna, Buick GL8 Aviar and Mercedes-Benz V260L, they all have their own obvious characteristics or labels, as well as obvious shortcomings.

Toyota Alphard is too biased towards business reception, and the loading and unloading of the aviation seat for the third row is not convenient. One can only crawl in from the second row by moving the second-row seat.

But the most important thing is that the price of Toyota Alphard is not acceptable to ordinary families.

After the domestic production of Toyota Sienna, it still has some performance. The advantage lies in the space utilization rate, one is that the third-row seats can be completely folded under the floor, which has strong load-carrying capacity.

The legroom of the three rows of seats in the car performs very well, but to level it with the folded third-row seats, the floor is designed relatively high, which leads to insufficient headroom.

In addition, insufficient power, low configuration, and strong plastic feel in the interior are also the weaknesses of Toyota Sienna. But here, I want to mention one point, although Toyota Sienna is not equipped with air suspension, the comfort adjustment of the chassis is still good.
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The Buick GL8 AVIA is well-balanced in terms of capability. Equipped with the eCruise Pro intelligent driving system, the car’s infotainment system also meets the basic needs of most users. The interior design and materials are also well-considered.

However, after being used as a shuttle vehicle for commercial travel for a long time, the GL8 has also been given the label of “business car”, especially for models like the GL8 AVIA that create a sense of luxury.

At the same time, the GL8 AVIA’s lack of power is also a shortcoming. In addition, the starting price of 463,900 yuan far exceeds that of the 7-seater version of the Lumotive Dreamer.

The shortcomings of the Mercedes-Benz V260L are similar to those of the Toyota Alphard, with the inconvenience of entering and exiting the third row. The Mercedes-Benz V260L is also equipped with air suspension, which has improved its comfort to a certain extent.

But what impressed me the most about the Mercedes-Benz V260L is its appearance and price. The tall and long appearance makes the Mercedes-Benz V260L look too much like a truck, and the starting price of 610,000 yuan is not low.

But…

The Lumotive Dreamer seems to fill in the gaps that appear in other MPV models, such as being unintelligent, difficult to drive, unattractive, uncomfortable, not spacious enough, unsafe… The Lumotive Dreamer seems to be comprehensive, but it does not give us enough clear features.

The price is as expected

Compared with the pre-sale price of 380,000 to 480,000 yuan previously announced by the Lumotive Dreamer, the official launch price of the 7-seater version of the Lumotive Dreamer has been reduced. The starting price has been reduced by about 10,000 yuan, and the top-of-the-line model has been reduced by about 40,000 yuan.

The 7-seater version is also aimed at the needs of most ordinary consumers for family travel.

The price of the customized 4-seater private version of the LanTu Dream Family model has been raised by about 40,000 yuan compared to the pre-sale price, but this is not a concern for most ordinary consumers, after all, the 4-seater version still targets “official travel” and “business receptions.”

Actually, launching the vehicle with a price lower than the pre-sale price is a correct choice, and many brands also do so.

The 7-seater version has been reduced by 10,000-40,000 yuan, giving the first batch of pre-sale users a “reassurance”, while LanTu Dream Family has also given 10,000-20,000 yuan of time-limited benefits to 7-seater version users, further strengthening its first batch of pre-sale orders.

Pre-sale orders “one-sided”?

Since the official debut of LanTu Dream Family last year, yesterday’s listing is considered the first time that LanTu Dream Family has disclosed its range.

The range of the intelligent multi-mode drive version is 750 km under the WLTC cycle. Although there are now many models of extended-range vehicles with over 1,000 km of breakage appearing, the comprehensive range of 750 km is reasonable for a medium-to-large-sized new energy MPV with a gross weight of over 2.5 tons like LanTu Dream Family.

However, for many consumers who “have to choose pure electric vehicles due to license plate policies”.The standard range version of the Voyah Dreamer Pure EV has a range of 475km under CLTC test conditions, which is good enough for commuting in the city, taking children and the elderly, but if the whole family is traveling with full load at high speeds, the range of CLTC 475km may be greatly reduced.

Therefore, if there is a need for a family trip and only the pure electric version is available, it is necessary to upgrade to the Long Range version by adding 50,000 yuan, which will provide a more relaxed range of 605km under CLTC test conditions.

Compared to models with the same configuration but different power modes, users will have to spend an additional 50,000 yuan.

Through the Voyah Dreamer, we can also see a problem: can pure electric MPVs enter the mainstream market?

I think: it’s possible but difficult.

The body structure and usage requirements of MPVs make it impossible to polish ultra-low drag coefficients like sedans and SUVs.

In the case of Voyah Dreamer, for an MPV with a curb weight of 2.5 tons and frequent full load usage scenarios, the most efficient and quickest way to improve range is to “stack batteries”, which is what Voyah Dreamer has done. However, this brings about the problem of high purchase costs.

I also tried to select options in the Voyah app:

The Voyah Dreamer series offers 6 exterior colors and 2 interior color schemes, all of which are free to choose.

The optional package for the Intelligent Multi-mode Drive version offers the Smart Driving package and the Smart Experience package, which are all discounted by 20,000 yuan due to limited rights.

This means that currently you can upgrade from the “Home” series to the “Desire” series for free, adding ADAS systems. And for a cost of 50,000 yuan, you can upgrade the previously required 70,000 yuan “Dream” series with air suspension, CDC Magic Carpet, Denon audio, night vision system, and advanced ADAS.

Now let’s take a look at the pure electric version, which offers the intelligent driving package, intelligent enjoyment package, and range extension package. The intelligent driving package and intelligent enjoyment package are exactly the same as the intelligent multi-mode drive version, but the range extension package cannot use this 20,000 yuan equity.

The reason is probably due to the recent significant increase in the cost of power batteries.

Therefore, in addition to cities that restrict license plates and license plates like Beijing, and also restrict hybrid and plug-in hybrid models from obtaining new energy license plates, many consumers in other cities have turned their attention to the intelligent multi-mode drive version.

Finally

Undeniably, with the continuous transformation of vehicle concepts and even the policy opening of second/third child, consumers’ demand for MPVs is becoming stronger. as a result, more and more car companies have included MPV models in their strategic layout, including brands such as Li Auto, Xpeng, etc., which have already begun the R&D of MPV models.

Bold speculation suggests that the 400,000 yuan new energy MPV may be the new battlefield for various car companies to “fight” each other in the next few years.

In the new energy MPV market today, there aren’t many luxury and high-end models, and LanTu Dreamer has taken the lead in entering this “blue ocean.” Perhaps its appearance will affect the decisions and routes of other brands in the future.

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.