Electric car drove on the tunnel ceiling: Voyah repeated Schumacher's legendary stunt on a production vehicle

In the Chinese city of Wuhan, an event took place that can confidently be called the return of a legend to the era of electric vehicles. The premium brand Voyah, part of the automotive giant Dongfeng, successfully performed the extreme "tunnel loop" stunt on a production electric vehicle, the Passion S model. This event was not just a demonstration of engineering capabilities but also a tribute to the cult Mercedes-Benz commercial filmed 16 years ago, in which legendary driver Michael Schumacher (or, according to experts, a stunt double) drove on the ceiling of a tunnel in an SLS AMG supercar.

Technical challenge: from supercar to heavy SUV

The main feature of Voyah's achievement is that the maneuver was performed not with a lightweight racing prototype, but with a production mid-size SUV. Unlike the lightweight supercars of the past, the Passion S electric vehicle carries a significant load: a fully loaded battery pack and a massive array of intelligent equipment. The car was not modified to reduce weight, making this stunt unprecedented for production electric vehicles. The success of the operation was made possible thanks to a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system producing a total power of 475 kW (637 hp) and a maximum torque of 765 N·m.

Physics of flight: precision to the degree and kilometer

Performing a "tunnel loop" requires flawless calculation of physical parameters. To prevent the car from falling from the ceiling of the tunnel, it had to accelerate to a speed of 130 km/h and enter the wall at an exact angle of 16 degrees. At this moment, the centrifugal force had to completely compensate for gravity, keeping the car on a 360° full rotation trajectory. The situation was critical: slowing down by just 3–5 km/h would have led to a loss of traction and the car falling. The silicon carbide-based platform with an operating voltage of 800 V ensured an electric drive efficiency of 93.8%, while the active radiator grille guaranteed a stable temperature regime at every stage of the maneuver.

Contradictory data

There are certain discrepancies in data surrounding this event and its context. First, regarding the original 2011 stunt: although Michael Schumacher appears in the advertisement, it is widely believed in the automotive community that a professional stunt driver was actually behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Second, there is a significant difference in the pricing of the Passion S model. Initial data mentioned a preliminary price for the top trim at 309,900 yuan (about $45,600), however, according to reports from Western sources, the final price at launch could be around $33,800. This significant discrepancy requires clarification depending on the sales region and trim level.

Commercial launch and prospects

The extreme demonstration became a powerful marketing move before the official market launch of the model. Preliminary sales of the Voyah Passion S started back in July 2026. The official launch of the model, during which final retail prices will be announced, is scheduled for August 15. The brand aims to prove that modern electric vehicles are capable of what was previously only available to tuned sports cars, combining comfort, technology, and extreme dynamics.