Quick Reads
- Updated VinFast VF 8 electric SUV unveiled
- Gets a claimed driving range of around 500 km
- Prices start at VND 999 million (approximately Rs 36.35 lakh)
- India launch being evaluated
VinFast has unveiled the updated VF 8 electric SUV globally. It got a significant overhaul, and is one of the most important international products for the Vietnamese EV maker. The new VF 8 comes with a lot of major updates across design, chassis, cabin tech, and software as the brand expands aggressively in global EV markets. In Vietnam, the new VF 8’s current starting price is VND 999 million, which translates to an approximation of Rs 36.35 lakh in Indian currency.
Looks Spectacular
Visually, the new VF 8 now looks sharper and futuristic than the previous model. It now gets a redesigned wing-shaped LED DRL, that is complemented by a V-shaped light bar, a gloss-black closed grille, and a revised front bumper. With all of these changes, it looks cleaner overall. As per the brand, the updated SUV adopts a new “Tech Fluid” design language, that we could see in its future products as well.
The new, updated VF 8 is 4,701mm long and has a 2,840mm wheelbase, which places it directly in the mid-size electric SUV segment. Despite the new model being slightly smaller than the outgoing version, the brand claims that the interior space and practicality are still similar.
Quick On Its Feet
It is now driven by an electric motor mounted on the front axle, which makes 170 kW (228 hp) of peak power and 330 Nm of peak torque. That is 13 kW more power than the older model.
It is now powered by a smaller 60.13 kWh battery pack, which gives it a claimed NEDC-certified (New European Driving Cycle) range of up to 500 km. The claimed charging time for this new battery is 10 to 70% in under 30 minutes using a DC fast charger.
This new VinFast electric SUV is equipped with frequency-selective dampers and an integrated thermal management system, which is claimed to improve ride comfort, charging efficiency, and battery endurance. It also comes equipped with a full ADAS suite, which includes an adaptive cruise control system, highway assist, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system for convenience.
Our opinion
The new VinFast VF 8 suggests that the brand is trying hard to reset perceptions around its electric cars. It has clearly focused on improving refinement, technology, and user experience rather than simply quoting outrageous performance figures.
The new VF 8 as a whole now looks like a package that is far more competitive than before. However, the brand’s biggest hurdle may not be the product itself but building long-term trust and ownership confidence in markets like India, where buyers are still sceptical about touching a new product and view the brand as relatively unknown.
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