The electric vehicle market in China is booming, with dozens of new models launching every year. One of the latest entrants is the Voyah Free, a midsize SUV from Dongfeng Motor’s new premium brand Voyah. The Voyah Free claims to offer a long range, high performance, and low price that could challenge the dominance of Tesla Model 3 in China.

What is the Voyah Free?

The Voyah Free is the first model from Voyah, a new brand created by Dongfeng Motor, one of the largest automakers in China. Voyah aims to be a leader in the premium electric vehicle segment, with a focus on innovation, quality, and sustainability. The brand name Voyah comes from the French word “voyage,” meaning travel or journey.

The Voyah Free is a midsize SUV that measures 4,720 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, and 1,680 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,850 mm. It has a sleek and futuristic design, with a large grille-less front fascia, slim LED headlights and taillights, and a panoramic glass roof. The Voyah Free also features a smart door handle system that pops out when the driver approaches the car and retracts when the car is locked.

The interior of the Voyah Free is spacious and luxurious, with a minimalist dashboard, a 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display. The Voyah Free also offers a range of advanced features, such as wireless charging, voice control, facial recognition, air purification, and ambient lighting. The Voyah Free can seat five passengers comfortably, with ample legroom and headroom. The trunk capacity is 510 liters, which can be expanded to 1,500 liters by folding the rear seats.

How does the Voyah Free perform?

The Voyah Free is powered by a dual-motor system that delivers a combined output of 300 kW (402 hp) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. The Voyah Free can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph). The Voyah Free also has a four-wheel drive system that can adjust the torque distribution between the front and rear axles according to different road conditions.

The battery pack of the Voyah Free has a capacity of 93 kWh, which can provide a range of up to 1,221 km (759 miles) on the NEDC cycle. The battery pack uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells, which are safer and cheaper than the commonly used lithium-ion cells. The battery pack also has a liquid cooling system that can maintain an optimal temperature and prolong its lifespan.

The Voyah Free supports fast charging at up to 150 kW, which can charge the battery from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. The Voyah Free also has a bi-directional charging function that allows it to supply power to other devices or vehicles.

How much does the Voyah Free cost?

The Voyah Free is priced at RMB 238,800 ($36,660) for the base model and RMB 288,800 ($44,340) for the premium model in China. The price includes subsidies from the Chinese government for electric vehicles. The Voyah Free is expected to go on sale in China in November 2023.

The Voyah Free is also planning to enter the European market in 2024, where it will compete with other popular electric SUVs such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6, and the Volkswagen ID.4. The price for the European market has not been announced yet.

How does the Voyah Free compare to Tesla Model 3?

The Tesla Model 3 is currently the best-selling electric vehicle in China and worldwide. The Tesla Model 3 has a strong reputation for its performance, technology, and brand image. However, the Voyah Free aims to challenge the Tesla Model 3 by offering some advantages over it.

Firstly, the Voyah Free has a longer range than the Tesla Model 3. The longest-range version of the Tesla Model 3 in China has a range of 668 km (415 miles) on the NEDC cycle, while the Voyah Free has a range of 1,221 km (759 miles) on the same cycle. This means that the Voyah Free can travel almost twice as far as the Tesla Model 3 on a single charge.

Secondly, the Voyah Free has a lower price than the Tesla Model 3. The base model of the Tesla Model 3 in China costs RMB 249,900 ($38,370) after subsidies, while the base model of the Voyah Free costs RMB 238,800 ($36,660) after subsidies. This means that the Voyah Free is about RMB 11,100 ($1,710) cheaper than the Tesla Model 3.

Thirdly, the Voyah Free has a more spacious and luxurious interior than the Tesla Model 3. The Voyah Free has a larger cabin and trunk space than the Tesla Model 3, as well as more features and amenities. The Voyah Free also has a more elegant and refined design than the Tesla Model 3, which some critics have described as too simple and bland.

Of course, the Tesla Model 3 still has some advantages over the Voyah Free, such as its superior performance, its advanced software and hardware integration, and its global network of Superchargers. However, the Voyah Free is a strong contender that could appeal to many customers who are looking for a long-range, high-performance, and low-cost electric SUV.

Conclusion

The Voyah Free is a new electric SUV from China that promises to offer a long range, high performance, and low price that could rival the Tesla Model 3. The Voyah Free has a sleek and futuristic design, a spacious and luxurious interior, and a dual-motor system that delivers impressive power and speed. The Voyah Free also has a large battery pack that uses LFP cells, which are safer and cheaper than lithium-ion cells. The Voyah Free supports fast charging and bi-directional charging, which add to its convenience and versatility.

The Voyah Free is expected to launch in China in November 2023, with a price of RMB 238,800 ($36,660) for the base model and RMB 288,800 ($44,340) for the premium model. The Voyah Free is also planning to enter the European market in 2024, where it will face competition from other electric SUVs. The Voyah Free is a potential challenger to the Tesla Model 3, which is currently the best-selling electric vehicle in China and worldwide.

The Voyah Free is an example of how China is rapidly developing its electric vehicle industry with innovative products that can compete with global brands. The Voyah Free is a product of Dongfeng Motor’s new premium brand, Voyah, which aims to be a leader in the premium electric vehicle segment. The Voyah Free is a product of China’s ambition to become a world leader in electric mobility.