China introduces world’s fastest people mover

The world’s fastest people mover – an electric seven-seater with the acceleration of a hot hatch – has gone on sale in China.

The Voyah Dreamer – launched in Wuhan China this week – costs from 380,000 to 480,000 yuan ($AU80,000 to $AU100,000).

According to its manufacturer, Dongfeng Motors, the Voyah Dreamer has a claimed 0 to 100km/h time of 5.9 seconds.

For context, the poster child of hot hatches, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI (automatic) does the 0 to 100km/h dash in a claimed 6.3 seconds, while both the current Kia Carnival V6 and the older-generation Toyota Tarago V6 complete the same task in about 7.0 seconds.

However, the Voyah's 5.9-second time is still some way off the 5.0-second 0 to 100km/h claim of the undisputed champion of hot people movers, the V8-powered Mercedes-AMG R63, which was available only for a single model year (2007) thanks to poor sales.

While the R63 used AMG V8 power to hustle its five-second-dead sprint time, the Voyah Dreamer is electric.

Voyah – Dongfeng’s electric brand – says it has already received close to 2000 orders for its electric people mover.

Powering the large family freighter is a pair of electric motors – one at each axle – each with an output of 160kW.

Voyah claims the vehicle has combined total outputs of 320kW and 620Nm, and a maximum driving range of up to 600km.

There is also a range-extender version – equipped with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, to charge the Dreamer’s battery – increasing total driving range to 700km.

Twin electric motors, albeit in a lower state of tune, provide a combined output of 290kW and 610Nm affording the range-extender variant a 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds.

The Dreamer is distinguished by a massive grille and the liberal use of chrome.

The Dreamer’s vital statistics: 5315mm long, 1980mm wide, 1800mm tall, and a wheelbase of 3200mm.

For context, Australia’s best-selling people mover, and 2022 Drive Car of the Year Best People Mover, the Kia Carnival, measures 5155mm long, 1995mm wide, 1775mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 3090mm.

Other Voyah Dreamer highlights include air suspension, a triple-screen infotainment and driver display set-up, plush imitation leather seating all round, with heating and massage function up front, a premium Dynaudio sound system and twin electric sliding doors all included.

While the standard Voyah Dreamer costs from 380,000 to 480,000 yuan ($AU80,000 to $AU100,000), a customised luxury four-seater version is also available to order, priced at around 600,000 yuan ($AU126,000).