Dongfeng Motor
Dongfeng Motor’s NEV brand, Voyah, has unveiled a revamped version of its SUV model, the Voyah Free. Notably, this update sees the discontinuation of the battery electric vehicle (BEV) variant, signalling the intense competition within the BEV market.
The new Voyah Free EREV has a number of changes over the previous model, including:
- A new front fascia with a larger grille and revised headlights and taillights.
- A more powerful powertrain with a peak engine power of 90 kW and dual electric motors producing a combined output of 480 kW.
- A larger battery pack with a capacity of 39.2 kWh, gives the car a CLTC pure electric range of 160 km and a CLTC combined range of 1,201 km.
- A new Apollo Highway Driving Pro assisted driving system from Baidu.
Facelift
On the weekend, Voyah introduced the facelifted Voyah Free, exclusively offering an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) edition, starting at an enticing price of 266,900 yuan ($36,650). This reflects a significant reduction of RMB 66,700 from the earlier EREV version’s price of RMB 333,600.
The new Voyah Free maintains the previous model’s dimensions: 4,905 mm in length, 1,950 mm in width, and 1,645 mm in height, all resting on a 2,960 mm wheelbase.
BEV variant
The upgrade includes a power boost, with peak engine power elevated from 80 kW to 90 kW, and a dual electric motor system in place. This system combines a front motor generating 160 kW and a rear motor churning out 200 kW, enabling the new Voyah Free to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds.
Driving range is made possible by a 39.2 kWh battery pack, providing a CLTC pure electric range of 160 km and an impressive CLTC combined range of 1,201 km.
Voyah Zhuiguang sedan
Voyah Free comes equipped with Baidu’s Apollo Highway Driving Pro assisted driving system, available for RMB 25,000 yuan. Prospective buyers have the option to either purchase the software for RMB 10,000 upfront upon vehicle order or subscribe monthly. The subscription plan includes an initial four-month free trial period, followed by a recurring fee of RMB 600 per month or an annual rate of RMB 6,000.
Conclusion
Although initially positioned as a strong contender against Li Auto’s Li One, which has now been phased out, Voyah’s sales currently pale in comparison, accounting for only a tenth of Li Auto’s sales figures. Despite this, Voyah offers the Voyah Dreamer MPV and Voyah Zhuiguang sedan alongside the Voyah Free. July saw Voyah’s sales figures consistently hovering above 3,000 units, hitting 3,412 units sold, as per CnEVPost’s data monitoring.
