The Vietnamese VinFast makes no bones about it. Shortly after the presentation of its model range consisting of five cars, the company already announced the first Dutch prices.
We know VinFast as a Vietnamese manufacturer with plans to also set foot on European soil. The company has a good taste. During the CES in Las Vegas, the brand presented three new electric models with the VF 5, VF 6 and VF 7 and renamed the already well-known VF e35 and VF e36 into VF 8 and VF 9. These come VF 8 and VF 9. the first of the bunch to go to the Netherlands and AutoWeek has already won the prizes.
VinFast VF 8
VinFast VF 8
VinFast is asking €44,650 in the Netherlands for the 4.75-metre long VF 8, which is comparable in size to the BMW X3 (photos 1 to 8). The battery pack is then leased. VinFast does not yet report detailed technical specifications, although it does indicate that the car can travel up to 504 kilometers on a charge and, thanks to a 408 hp and 640 Nm strong powertrain, can sprint to a speed of 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. When the VF 8 was still presented as VF e35, the model had a 90 kWh battery pack and also a 204 hp engine option. The battery lease program has two flavors: Flexible and Fixed. With Flexible you pay a lower monthly amount and you can drive up to 500 kilometers per month for free. After that, each kilometer will cost an amount to be determined. Are you going for the more expensive Fixed, then there is no kilometer restriction.
Vinfast VF 9
Vinfast VF 9
The former VF e36 and even briefly called VF 33 VF 9 (photos 9 to 11) is the largest of the VinFast range. This 5.12 meter long seven-seater SUV with a wheelbase of 3.15 meters is 6 centimeters longer than the Ford Explorer. Like the VF 8, the VF 9 has a powertrain up to 408 hp and must be able to travel up to 550 kilometers (WLTP) on a charge of current. VinFast also does not share extensive information about the VF 9, so we have to do it with these figures. When the VF 9 was called something else, VinFast spoke of the presence of a 106 kWh battery. What we know for sure is what the electric SUV should cost in the Netherlands. The Vinfast VF 9 has a starting price of €59,650 here. However, the battery pack is leased.
VinFast will deliver the VF 8 and VF 9 in Eco, Plus and Premium versions. The Eco and Plus get semi-autonomous level 2 software and hardware, the Premium version must be able to go around autonomously at levels 3 to 4.
The VinFast VF 8 and VF 9 can be reserved from later this month. Anyone who does so will be entitled to an e-voucher worth €2,500 for the VF 8 and €4,200 for the VF 9. In addition, you will receive a free mobile charger and – yes – a luxurious holiday in Vietnam. From January 31, you will have to pay €150 reservation costs to keep the e-voucher and the reservation. Fun fact: VinFast claims to be the first manufacturer to use NFT blockchain technology to manage its reservations and payments. Is such a VinFast a bit solid? VinFast doesn’t seem to worry about that. The company gives a 10-year warranty on all its cars. That’s not nothing.
VF 5, VF 6 and VF 7
Vinfast VF 5
The other VinFast models are the VF 5, VF 6 and VF 7, of which images but no technical specifications are available. The VF 5 (photos 12 to 18) is an electric car that, despite its apparently nice dimensions, becomes an offer in the A-segment. VinFast is looking for a production location in Germany.
Vinfast VF 6
This VF 6 (photos 19 to 27) should be seen as VinFast’s entry for the segment of electric crossovers such as the Peugeot e-2008.
Vinfast VF 7
The third and final newcomer from VinFast is the VF 7 (photos 28 to 35), a crossover or SUV-like for the C-segment. So count on a competitor of cars like the Volkswagen ID4.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl