- 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 sweet for as much as 254 miles of vary. (WLTP cycle)
Y’know, kudos to VinFast. Regardless of having one of many worst-reviewed automobiles in current reminiscence, which led to the Vietnamese startup having a number of the slowest-selling fashions in the marketplace, it hasn’t given up on its electrical car plans. The VF8 has gone by means of 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 technique 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 one more bizarre model promoting one other small EV in Europe. VinFast desires this automotive to democratize EVs, and it thinks the VF6 may very well be a software to get Europeans behind the wheel of moderately 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 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 fingers of Vietnamese prospects.
There are already a handful of Vietnamese-language movies and articles reviewing the VF6, however no media has actually acquired their fingers on the automotive exterior 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 sweet for 254 miles of vary, primarily based on the WLTP cycle. The automotive’s guts appear semi subtle although, because it makes use of a completely unbiased multi-link rear suspension reasonably than a semi-independent torsion beam generally discovered on different low-cost small EVs.
It is fascinating 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 relies on their skill to construct an reasonably priced B-segment for the European market.” It additionally stated that 27% of all European automobiles are on this B-segment (subcompact), but the electrical choices there are slim.
At the moment, 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 affordable EV within the section, although. Vehicles just like the Leapmotor T03 or Dacia Spring undercut the VF6 by an enormous margin, however they’re a lot smaller automobiles with so much 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 costlier. However its 233-mile vary means it could possibly’t go as far. May VinFast have a right-priced, right-sized hit on its fingers right here?
Vinfast VF6 on the 2022 Paris Motor Present
Perhaps so. The VinFast VF6 might find yourself being a stealth hit in Europe for one purpose: it’s Vietnamese. Due to this fact, 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 feel the VF6 may be a shock hit right here in America. The VF6 (and VF7) genuinely seem like better-executed merchandise than the VF8. These merchandise can be low-cost, which ought to imply that patrons can be extra prepared to miss a product’s shortcomings because it wouldn’t value an excessive amount of to purchase.
I stay cautiously optimistic. If VinFast can hold its high quality in examine, and ship a satisfying driving expertise, then the model could have a future in any case.
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