- The VinFast VF6 is open for reservations in France, Germany and The Netherlands.
- It begins at about $36,000 for the Eco mannequin, which will get a 201-horsepower motor and 59.6 kWh LFP battery.
- VinFast says the automotive is nice for as much as 254 miles of vary. (WLTP cycle)
Y’know, kudos to VinFast. Regardless of having one of many worst-reviewed vehicles in current reminiscence, which led to the Vietnamese startup having among the slowest-selling fashions in the marketplace, it hasn’t given up on its electrical car plans. The VF8 has gone by some enhancements, which supposedly has made it tolerable to make use of. Its as soon as missing-in-action VF9 three-row crossover is lastly making its approach to U.S. dealerships.
Equally, VinFast simply introduced that its Chevy Bolt-sized VinFast VF6 is headed to Europe. This product announcement is a bit more necessary than simply yet one more bizarre model promoting one other small EV in Europe. VinFast desires this automotive to democratize EVs, and it thinks the VF6 could possibly be a device to get Europeans behind the wheel of fairly priced EVs.
Photograph by: Vinfast
We actually don’t know an excessive amount of concerning the VF6 simply but, although. It was initially proven off as a preproduction idea about three years in the past, nevertheless it appears to be like like VinFast has stayed pretty near that mannequin. And sure, the VF6 is an actual automotive; it’s been on Vietnamese roads for the previous few months, rolling round within the arms of Vietnamese clients.
There are already a handful of Vietnamese-language movies and articles reviewing the VF6, however no media has actually received their arms on the automotive outdoors of Vietnam.
Mechanically, the VF6 can be powered by a 201-horsepower motor powering the entrance wheels. The VF6’s 59.6 kWh LFP battery is nice for 254 miles of vary, based mostly on the WLTP cycle. The automotive’s guts appear semi subtle although, because it makes use of a completely unbiased multi-link rear suspension relatively than a semi-independent torsion beam generally discovered on different low cost small EVs.
It is attention-grabbing to notice that within the press launch the model despatched over, VinFast harped on EV affordability. It quoted Boston Consulting Group, saying that “the democratization of EVs is dependent upon their capability to construct an reasonably priced B-segment for the European market.” It additionally mentioned that 27% of all European vehicles are on this B-segment (subcompact), but the electrical choices there are slim.
At present, the VF6 is already open for reservations in France, Germany and The Netherlands, beginning at simply shy of $36,000 (33,900€). It wouldn’t be the most cost effective EV within the phase, although. Vehicles just like the Leapmotor T03 or Dacia Spring undercut the VF6 by an enormous margin, however they’re a lot smaller vehicles with quite a bit much less energy and vary. The brand new Ford Puma Gen-E is similar dimension class as VinFast’s VF6, and it’s only barely dearer. However its 233-mile vary means it might probably’t go as far. Might VinFast have a right-priced, right-sized hit on its arms right here?
Vinfast VF6 on the 2022 Paris Motor Present
Possibly so. The VinFast VF6 might find yourself being a stealth hit in Europe for one cause: it’s Vietnamese. Subsequently, it’s not topic to double-digit anti-Chinese language tariffs the EU has leveled in opposition to imported electrical automobiles from China. Equally, I believe the VF6 may be a shock hit right here in America. The VF6 (and VF7) genuinely look like better-executed merchandise than the VF8. These merchandise can be low cost, which ought to imply that consumers can be extra keen to miss a product’s shortcomings because it wouldn’t price an excessive amount of to purchase.
I stay cautiously optimistic. If VinFast can preserve its high quality in verify, and ship a satisfying driving expertise, then the model might have a future in any case.
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