Quick Reads
- After entering the cab market, the Vietnamese carmaker is now trying to enter the two-wheeler market.
- VinFast has officially filed a design patent for an electric scooter in India, strongly resembling an updated version of its globally sold Viper model.
- Expected to get a 3 kW hub motor and dual removable 1.5 kWh battery packs for a combined range of up to 156 km.
- The scooter is likely to be locally assembled at VinFast’s upcoming Thoothukudi plant.
Intro
Vietnamese electric vehicle giant VinFast is preparing to make a substantial splash in the highly competitive Indian electric two-wheeler market. Following its commitment to local manufacturing for its passenger cars, the automaker has now filed a design patent for a sporty electric scooter. Based on the design patents, the vehicle it closely resembles is the VinFast Viper, which is a popular model which the brand currently retails in outside markets like Indonesia and Vietnam.
We suspect that the brand has filed the design patents for the next generation of the Viper in India, setting the stage for an intense battle against established domestic players like Ather, Ola, Bajaj, and TVS.
Design and Visual Updates
The patented design gives the vibe of a muscular, maxi-scooter-inspired silhouette. While the overall profile closely mirrors the current-generation Viper sold overseas, the Indian patent sports a few key design differences. The front fascia has been redesigned, swapping the older single-piece angular headlight for a sharper twin-pod LED headlight setup with integrated L-shaped LED daytime running lights (DRLs).
The body panels appear slightly more rounded and aerodynamic, and a newly designed bat-wing-like LED taillight cluster replaces the older unit. What is retained are some signature elements like the flush-mount pillion footpegs, a flat floorboard, 14-inch alloy wheels, and an exposed rear hub motor setup.
Battery and Powertrain Specifications
While VinFast has not officially confirmed the India-spec powertrain details, internationally the Viper is powered by a rear hub-mounted BLDC (Brushless Direct Current) electric motor that generates a peak power of 3 kW (approximately 4 bhp). The electric scooter has a claimed top speed of around 70 kmph.
Crucially, VinFast offers the Viper with a flexible, swappable battery architecture, something we have seen Hero MotoCorpoffer with its VIDA range of electric scooters. The standard variant is equipped with a 1.5 kWh LFP (Lithium FerroPhosphate) battery pack, delivering a claimed range of 82 km. However, the scooter features dual battery slots under the seat, allowing buyers to add a secondary battery pack if necessary, effectively pushing the maximum claimed range up to 156 km on a single charge.
Hardware and Features
The Viper relies on a standard telescopic front fork and gas-charged dual rear shock absorber setup. Braking duties are handled by a front disc and a rear drum brake unit, which could likely come with a combined braking system. The feature list is expected to be comprehensive, likely including a full-colour TFT digital instrument cluster, a smart keyless-go system, turn-by-turn navigation, and over-the-air (OTA) updates. It will also get a 10-litre under-seat storage compartment and a 780 mm seat height that is accessible for most Indian riders.
Conclusion
VinFast has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government and is actively setting up its manufacturing facility in Thoothukudi. It is highly likely that the Viper, if greenlit for India, will be brought in via the completely knocked down (CKD) route and locally assembled to keep costs aggressively low. When launched, the VinFast Viper will lock horns directly with options from both legacy two-wheeler brands like the TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Hero Vida, and new-age startups, with products like the Ola S1 X and the Ather Rizta.
