VINFAST VF 8 All Electric: Lasting impressions
Vinfast is just one among the forty-five brands that have entered the UAE market in the recent past. However, there is something right they have done at the start and finish of the purchase cycle of the VF 8. Striking design to make a first impression and outstanding after-sales support to make a lasting one. Read on to learn about all that comes in between.
Design and dimensions
Vinfast has brought the VF 8, their midsize SUV, to the UAE, unlike the two smaller models they launched in India. If you get the whiff of a Maserati Levante or an Alfa Romeo around the fenders, or a Hyundai Veloster in the roofline, it only means that the VF 8 is a strikingly designed car. Inside, the gear selector panel and the profile of the AC vents might also remind you a Ferrari. Well, it is no coincidence then – the design house is none other than Pininfarina. The ground-hugging design points to the urban nature of this EV and the stable, sporty drive. The clean, classic interiors suggest a no-nonsense car, underlined by the vegan leather in the top trim called Plus while the build quality won’t escape the ears, with an old-school ‘thud test’ of the doors.
LxWxH: 4750 x 1934 x 1667 mm
Wheelbase: 2950 mm
Ground clearance: 175 mm
Weight: 2520 kg
Wheels: 20” alloys
Boot space: 376 L – 1300 L with seats folded & Frunk 77 L
Colours: 8 for exterior and 3 for interior
Cabin comforts
Generosity shows up in the cabin, in the rear space, the sprawling panoramic sunroof and the ample boot space, but not as much as in the rear seat ventilation – rarely seen outside the luxury segment. Electric vehicles are usually silent, but the VF 8 is also reinforced with soundproof double layer acoustic windshield. Thoughtfulness is evidenced in the extra drive modes, too: PET mode keeps the AC running (which otherwise shuts down when locked) and displays a message on the screen, along with the cabin temperature, that your pet is safe inside the car!
FEATURES: 12-way adjustable front seats with memory and ventilation | Dual zone automatic climate control with rear vents and integrated air quality ionizer | Kick sensor for automatic boot lid
Advanced Safety
The cabin is a safety cocoon with 11 airbags. The 360-degree camera comes on whenever there is something you should know, whether you are going frontward or backward in the parking lot. The only time the camera visual dropped in quality was when bright lights in the backdrop played out in a low light setting. Electronic driver assistance is comprehensive as expected of an EV. The blind spot is not only indicated by a blinking yellow spot on the side mirror but also with a warning icon that lights up on the head up display – a thoughtful bit to not let eyes leave the road.
FEATURES: 360-surround view monitoring | ADAS – Blind Spot, Lane keeping, Collision warning and emergency braking, Adaptive cruise control and door opening warning
Cabin tech
The controls are neatly arranged on a 15.6” vertical touch screen – a drop down menu lets you choose oft-used functions like side view mirrors, steering position or sunroof closure and then control them using cursors on the steering. Advanced driver assistance systems and software update capability enable the VF 8 to keep pace with cutting edge innovation and evolving tech. The latest update had to do with a Cabin Assistant that listens to your command and opens the sunroof, rolls down windows and turns up the volume. Strangely, setting the radio frequency didn’t seem to be among them.
Wireless charging | Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | C-App control on mobile
The Range
Vinfast lists a range of 493 km under the New European Driving Cycle standards (471 km in the All Wheel Drive version). There was a consistency evident in the relative range at any given point, which seemed to add up to 452 km of full range. Well, a conservative expectation should still be 375 but it is good to know a realistic 450+ range is at hand to make the most of! The 11kW home charger can fully charge the battery in about 9 hours while the fast DC charger can get it from 10 – 70% in 31 minutes or a bit more, depending on charging conditions.
The drive
Powered by an 87.7 kWh battery, the Vinfast VF 8 Plus has an output of 402 hp and 620 Nm of torque while the Eco generates 349 hp and 500 Nm of torque. The drive can be qualified as ‘solid’ while the feel of the steering is reassuring, while the average EV steering qualifies to be called ‘sloppy’. The 0 – 100 kmph in 5.9 seconds (ECO) and 5.5 sec (PLUS) are impressive enough while the 12.4 km turning radius leaves some room for improvement.
The essential Vinfast VF 8
Vinfast has set its eyes on global leadership in electric mobility. The opening of a plant in India and the recent launch of two models are all part of their global ambitions. Founded in 2017, Vinfast has not only transformed lives for the Vietnamese people but also sold close to 190,000 vehicles worldwide.
Value-assured pricing: Richly laden with safety and comfort features, despite being an all-electric car, the VF8 Eco is priced at AED 115,900 including VAT while the VF8 Plus costs AED 125,900 including VAT.
Unprecedented after-sales support: 10-year or 200,000km vehicle warranty combined with a 10-year unlimited mileage battery warranty. Complimentary 5-year maintenance. 24/7 roadside assistance across six Gulf countries. Complimentary Home Charger with the car.
The backing of a multi-billion-dollar global company and the comprehensive coverage that puts maintenance-worries aside are at the heart of the ownership experience that Vinfast intends to create.
