A new version of the Voyah Free claims to have the longest all-electric range for a range extended (PHEV) SUV. The biggest clue about the range is in the name the Voyah Free 318 – yes 318 kilometers is the supposed CLTC range under battery power. Voyah is a premium brand from Dongfeng selling new energy vehicles with all models being available with a choice of all-electric or range extended version. The Free was the brand’s first car and launched in 2021. Pre-sales of the Voyah Free 318 will begin on May 30. Currently there is only one EREV version of the Free available on the market priced at 266,900 yuan (US$ 36,850) and the Free 318 version is expected to come in cheaper than this.
The most significant change with the Free
318 is powertrain. While it will retain the same 110 kW DAM15NTDE four cylinder
1.5T petrol engine it loses the front electric motor. This leaves the 200 kW
maximum power electric motor powering the rear axle and delivering maximum
torque of 410 Nm. With the existing EREV the front axle has a 160 kW motor with
310 Nm torque. Battery capacity of the current EREV version is 39.2 kWh and the
all-electric range is 210 kilometers using CLTC measurements. Presumably the
Free 318 will have a larger capacity battery because the increase to range from
just removing the front motor cannot be 108 km.
Dimensions of the Free 318 remain the same
as the existing car at 4905, 1950, and 1645 mm with a wheelbase of 2960
mm. Buyers will have a choice between 19 and 20-inch wheels. Weight of the 318
versions is 2150 kg while maximum speed is 180 km/h.
From teaser pictures there may be some
slight changes in the looks from the existing EREV version of the Free. Most
notably the car gains red brake calipers and there might be some slight changes
in the alloys on the wheels.
