Dongfeng Motor’s premium marque Voyah is preparing to enter the ultra-luxury SUV segment with a model known internally as the Taishan, aimed squarely at competitors such as the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
A prototype of the vehicle, wrapped in camouflage patterned after the Louis Vuitton monogram, was recently seen in downtown Shanghai. Parked outside “The Louis” exhibition building, the SUV’s appearance drew attention on Chinese social media, with some observers interpreting the choice of location and livery as a deliberate positioning statement.
According to preliminary specifications, the Taishan will measure more than 5.3 metres in length, with a wheelbase of 3.1 metres. It will adopt a six-seat configuration arranged in a 2+2+2 layout. While much of the exterior remains concealed, the prototype showed flush-fitting door handles, silver-finished window trims, and a smooth-sided profile. A fixed lidar unit was positioned above the windscreen — part of Huawei’s ADS Ultra 4-LiDAR autonomous driving suite, which in other applications offers high-resolution environmental mapping and advanced driver assistance capabilities.
Powertrain details have not been officially released, but industry sources suggest the Taishan will be available in both plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and fully electric configurations. The PHEV variant is expected to share its setup with Voyah’s flagship sedan, the Passion L — a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with dual electric motors, delivering a combined output of approximately 490 kilowatts (657 horsepower). The battery-electric version is anticipated to target the upper end of the performance spectrum for large luxury SUVs, supported by a high-capacity battery pack and a high-output motor system.
The Taishan is positioned to compete not only with foreign luxury marques but also with domestic high-end SUVs such as the Li Auto L9, which has been a strong seller in China’s premium segment. Analysts note that the vehicle will likely incorporate extensive use of high-grade interior materials, large-format digital displays, and a full suite of convenience technologies, reflecting the growing capabilities of China’s top-tier automotive brands.
Expected Specs
| Specification | Voyah Taishan (estimate) | Rolls-Royce Cullinan (2025) | Li Auto L9 (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length (m) | 5.3+ | 5.34 | 5.1 |
| Wheelbase (m) | 3.1 | 3.27 | 3.0 |
| Seating Configuration | 6 seats (2+2+2) | 5 seats | 6 or 7 seats (2+3+2 or 2+2+2) |
| Powertrain options | PHEV & BEV | Twin-turbo V12 petrol | Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) |
| Engine / Motor | 1.5L turbo petrol + dual electric motors (PHEV), BEV option with high-capacity battery | 6.75L twin-turbo V12 petrol | 1.5L turbo petrol + electric motor |
| Power output (kW / hp) | ~490 kW (657 hp) combined (PHEV) | 448 kW (600 hp) | ~330 kW (442 hp) total |
| Battery capacity (kWh) | Estimated >100 kWh (BEV) | Not applicable | 40.9 kWh usable (total 40.9 kWh battery) |
| Drivetrain | AWD (expected) | AWD | AWD |
| Autonomous driving tech | Huawei ADS Ultra 4-LiDAR system | Rolls-Royce proprietary ADAS | Li Auto ADAS with lidar and radar |
| Interior features | High-end materials, large digital displays, advanced convenience tech | Bespoke luxury finishes, Rolls-Royce touchscreens | Premium materials, multiple digital screens |
| Starting price (AUD est.) | Unknown, likely competitive with Cullinan (~$900k+) | Approx. AUD 1.3 million | Approx. AUD 160,000 |
| Market focus | Ultra-luxury SUV market in China and possibly globally | Ultra-luxury global market | Premium domestic Chinese SUV segment |