Introducing the Voyah Free 318: China’s Luxurious SUV with Impressive Range and Unique Hybrid Technology

You’ve heard of Chinese Voyah brand state-owned enterprise Dongfeng? It is called Lantu in some markets and its product portfolio is not extensive, offering only four models. One of them is a 4.9 meter long SUV (ie longer than the second Kodiaq) called Free 318, which has a combined range of almost 1,500 km and luxury items inside.

It is a type of transition between an electric car and an internal combustion car, similar to, for example, u Mazda MX-30 REV. The Voyah Free 318 has a rear electric motor or two built-in electric motors in the case of four-wheel drive, a traction battery with a capacity of 43 kWh, but also a four-cylinder 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine serving as an electric power generator.

In terms of numbers, this means a maximum combined output of 272 hp and 410 Nm of torque for the rear-wheel drive Free 318, or 489 hp and a solid 720 Nm of torque for the four-wheel drive.

Less impressive is the acceleration from zero to hundred in 7.6 seconds, respectively in 4.5 seconds for the all-wheel drive model. Top speed is 180 km/h for rear wheel drive and 200 km/h for four wheel drive. Both types draw petrol from a 56 liter capacity tank.

And now to the finish line, where it starts to get interesting, but again there are two of us hanging around here homologation standards. The Chinese one, very optimistic, called CLTC. And the European one, which is not so optimistic, called WLTP.

According to CLTC, the Voyah Free 318 can travel 318 km without a drop of petrol on a single charge and a total of 1,458 km with a full tank of petrol. However, according to the WLTP, it is 245 km or 1,122 km. According to CLTC, the four-wheeler offers an electric range of 259 km, and a combined range of 1,357 km. According to WLTP, however, 199 km and 1,044 km.

In terms of equipment, the car attacks the price, so as part of the standard it provides LED lights at the front and back, 20-inch alloy wheels, retractable door handles, fifth electric door or even air suspension.

Eight airbags await you inside, a suite of safety aids, night view (!), spacious parking system, aroma on board, air conditioning with filter, acoustic windows, keyless unlocking, massage seats in front and a long dashboard with three infotainment displays.

In addition, metallic paint appears for almost 20,000 and for 120,000 Magnus Pro special body protection film with a self-healing coating that protects against scratches.

The five-year warranty itself is reasonable, but limited to 80,000 km. The manufacturer guarantees the traction battery for eight years or 130,000 km.

And now the most interesting thing. Price. You would expect something like two million, but it is much less. The free 318 quad bike starts at CZK 1,464,900 and the quad bike costs CZK 1,539,000, i.e. similar to equipped with Kodiaq diesel. And that is a very reasonable amount for a high-quality SUV based on an electric car with an internal combustion engine, especially if we take into account the extensive basic equipment.

So on paper the car looks attractive, but let’s see how it will be in real life. It’s still a Chinese model, so there might be some an “unpleasant” compromise.. Anyway, the first pieces should arrive soon and then we’ll cut it!