Dongfeng’s high-end Voyah brand successfully performed a “tunnel loop” stunt in a closed facility in Wuhan, China. For the first time in history, this extreme action is performed by a production car – the Passion S electric car.
Image source: Voyah
The project pays homage to the iconic promotional video made 16 years ago, in which legendary racing driver Michael Schumacher performed the stunt in a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG – although it is believed it was actually performed by a professional stuntman. However, the Voyah brand decided to show off what the production model can do. The experience is complicated by the fact that it’s not a lightweight supercar, but a midsize SUV with a fully loaded battery pack and a suite of smart devices, without any weight-saving modifications.
To successfully perform this maneuver, the car must accelerate to a speed of 130 km/h and enter the tunnel wall at a precise angle of 16°. Centrifugal force compensates for gravity and the machine performs a complete 360° rotation. The speed limit is crucial – if the car slows down by just 3-5 km/h, it will lose traction and fall off the tunnel ceiling.
This maneuvering is provided by a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with a total power of 475 kW (637 hp) and a maximum torque of 765 Nm. The silicon carbide platform with an operating voltage of 800V ensures a comprehensive electric drive efficiency of 93.8%. Active radiator grille for smart temperature control ensures power is maintained at every stage of operation. Pre-sales for the Voyah Passion S began in July, with the range-topping model priced at 309,900 yuan ($45,600). It is expected to be officially launched on August 15, and the final retail price will be announced at that time.
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