VinFast, the Vietnam-based EV brand, is showcasing nearly its entire global lineup at the ongoing Auto Expo, with the VF 6 and VF 7 SUVs set to be assembled in India. The firm plans to begin producing its first electric vehicle by the second half of this year, as confirmed by Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia. Final launch of the SUV siblings will come ahead of the festive season.
- Prices of the EVs to lie in the Rs 20-30 lakh range
- Vinfast is also considering battery leasing options for its vehicles
The Vinfast VF 6 and VF 7 models will be locally assembled at its factory in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, and may eventually be exported to markets in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Notably, their pricing will likely be in the Rs 20 lakh to Rs 30 lakh bracket.
Vinfast VF 7
Measuring 4,545mm in length, the five-seater features an almost swoopy, crossover-like design, with lights at the front and rear that form VinFast’s signature V motif. VF 7 Eco (FWD) and Plus (AWD) are the two variants that it will be offered in, both powered by a 75.3kWh (net) battery pack. The single front-wheel drive motor generates 204hp and 310Nm of torque, while the dual-motor VF 7 is good for 354hp and 500Nm (combined).
VinFast claims a WLTP-rated range of 431km for the VF 7 Plus and 450km for the Eco. Not much differs between the two variants apart from alloy wheel sizes - Plus gets larger 20-21 inch options while Eco comes with 19-inchers only - and the same applies to touchscreen sizes of 15 and 12.9 inches, respectively. Both the trims get a Level 2 ADAS suite as standard.
Vinfast VF 6
The VF 6 sits under the VF 7 in Vinfast’s lineup. That translates to a shorter length of 4,238mm for the compact SUV. Just like its other stablemate, it is likely to be sold in two variants - Eco and Plus. While a swoopy design and VinFast’s V motif are present here too, the wheel size is smaller at 17 inches. The headlight and fog lamp units are placed lower near the bumper.
Talking about the battery size, the VF 6 has a 59.6kWh cell which also happens to be similar in capacity to its expected rivals. Only a front axle-mounted electric motor will be offered but the output differs - 204hp, 310Nm (Plus) and 178hp, 250Nm (Eco). The WLTP ranges from 381km to 399km on a single charge. Standard equipment includes Level 2 ADAS, a 12.9-inch touchscreen and over-the-air (OTA) updates.
Vinfast charging stations in India, battery rental scheme
“We are putting in charging stations and are open to any partnerships as long as they benefit the people of India,” he said. A big chunk, of the EV market, 70 percent to be precise, will be covered by Vinfast’s dealers in major metropolitan and Tier-1 cities. VinFast’s group company may also build a charging network in the country. Battery leasing or battery on rent option is also being considered besides a 10-year warranty and a buy-back scheme.
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