Voyah: A new EV brand under Dongfeng Motor
China is known for its massive market for electric vehicles (EVs), but it is also home to some of the most innovative and ambitious EV makers in the world. One of them is Voyah, a new brand under Dongfeng Motor, one of China's largest state-owned automakers.
Voyah, which means "I am here" in Chinese, was launched in July 2020 with a vision to create smart, green, and high-quality EVs for the global market. The brand is led by Liu Hong, a former executive of Nissan and Renault, who has over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry. Voyah aims to leverage Dongfeng's resources and expertise and its partnerships with leading technology companies such as Huawei, Baidu, and Harman.
Voyah Free: A mid-sized SUV that challenges the Tesla Model 3
The brand's first model, the Voyah Free, is a mid-sized SUV that aims to challenge the likes of the Tesla Model 3, Volkswagen ID.4, and Hyundai Ioniq 5. The electric car is based on the i-LAN platform, a dedicated EV platform developed by Dongfeng that supports various battery sizes, powertrains, and vehicle types.
The Voyah Free was officially launched in China on August 20, 2023, with a starting price of 36,660 USD (before subsidies). The car is available in four variants, with different battery sizes and powertrains. The base model has a 55 kWh battery that offers a range of 435 km (270 miles) on the NEDC cycle. The next model has a 70 kWh battery that can travel 565 km (351 miles) on a single charge. The third model has a 90 kWh battery that boasts a whopping range of 1,221 km (759 miles) on the NEDC cycle, which is more than any other EV currently on sale. The top model has a dual-motor system that delivers a combined output of 408 hp and 660 Nm of torque, enabling the car to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.9 seconds.
The Voyah Free is not only impressive in terms of performance and range but also in terms of design and technology. The car has a sleek and futuristic look, with a large grille that houses a smart LED logo that can change colors and patterns according to the driving mode and mood. The car also has slim LED headlights and taillights, a panoramic sunroof, and 19-inch alloy wheels.