VinFast is the first Vietnamese automaker and the first Vietnamese car brand to produce an EV. Founded in 2017, the company quickly expanded into global markets by participating in the 2018 Paris Motor Show. Since then, the brand has remained one of the best in Vietnam, and it has already garnered an 8.3 percent market share in the country. As a display of its drive to stay ahead of the pack, VinFast has unveiled the plan to introduce its electric vehicles in five new markets in 2022, but the US-specific e36 model (now renamed VF9) might be the most sought-after.
Unveiled at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show, the VinFast VF9 will be a luxury SUV. Since it is a three-row electric SUV, the all-new EV is set to give tough competition to cars like Tesla Model X. There is a lot to discover while we await the anticipated EV, but here is what Global SUV knows so far about the VinFast VF9.
Premium Look With An Imposing Design
Although VinFast is a Vietnamese brand, the VF9 is designed by a reputable Italian firm, Pininfarina. The all-electric SUV features exceptional craftsmanship while sharing VinFast design cues like the front and rear light signatures. At the front, the headlights are adorned with LED light bar. The LED strip forms a ‘V’ at the center, giving the EV VinFast’s distinct identity. The ‘V’ design is also available on the sides and rear of the vehicle.
With 201 inches from nose to tail, the VF9 promises more passenger space than the massive Tesla Model X, which has 198 inches. Alongside the full-size BMW X7 and a few other SUVs, the VF9 will be one of the largest SUVs on the market. Fans of smaller SUVs can opt for the VF8, a smaller five-seat model, but it does not offer the same level of luxury as the VF9.
State-of-the-Art Interior
The interior of the VF9 combines premium craftsmanship with cutting-edge driver-assist technology. The inside looks like the interior of a Tesla with minor tweaks. With a panoramic sunroof, quilted leather upholstery, and brushed aluminum panels, the SUV is built to deliver premium luxury.
Dominating the dashboard is a vast, customizable 15-inch infotainment screen with full phone mirroring capability. Most controls and driver-assist features are accessible via the large landscape central display. The interior is minimalist, designed to make the least possible use of physical controls. The SUV integrates Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) such as Collision Warning, Driver Monitoring, Lane Assist, Full Automated Parking, etc. What’s more? The VF9 features a button-style gear selector and ambient lighting.
Always Ready To Go
Although VinFast did not mention any powertrain specs at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show, reputable sources across the web have claimed that the vehicle will have a dual-motor configuration. The two motors will deliver 402 horsepower and 472 lb. ft of torque. When fully charged, it will have a range of up to 342 miles.
The SUV can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds, but that may not be satisfactory compared with other EVs on the market today. For example, the 2022 base Model X accelerates from 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds.
Interested In Getting One?
There is no precise information on the cost and exact release date of the VF9. However, VinFast has launched a website where people can register their interest in the U.S. Also, VinFast is pioneering the use of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for reservation in the automotive industry by launching the VinFirst NFT. People who pay the reservation fee for VF9 will receive a VinFirst NFT, giving them the chance to enjoy various perks.
VinFast may start taking pre-orders for the EV as early as March 2022, with plans to begin delivery by the end of the year. Since the company already has a U.S. headquarters in L.A., it will initially focus on the West Coast market.
Final Words
After about two and a half years producing gas-powered vehicles, VinFast has decided to focus solely on making EVs. Although there are many things unknown about the VinFast VF9, what we know so far about the luxury SUV is enough to assure us of its quality. While it may not be the best option for speed, it is one of the best spacious EVs for larger families.
Gabriel Olakunori
Gabriel likes to argue (blindly) that SUVs are a part of nature, but he seems to have a point whenever you walk in the snow, through the bone-dry desert, splendid park-like boulevard, plains, and rocky roads. He has over five years of experience writing across a broad spectrum of topics, with quite a number in the automotive industry. If he is not at the desk w̶r̶i̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ having fun, he is at the wheel d̶r̶i̶v̶i̶n̶g̶ having fun. Both activities take him to the same destination: Utopia. He loves SUVs simply because they are all-inclusive, but he cannot turn down an offer to drive or write about any vehicle.
