Vinfast has revealed the second-generation VF8 eSUV in Vietnam, making it the first model in its lineup to get a new generation. It gets a fresh design, and Vinfast is offering the new-generation VF8 with a smaller battery pack with a lower claimed range. It has also become smaller than the older model.
- Gets a smaller battery pack, but an 18 hp more potent front motor
- The length, width and wheelbase have significantly decreased
- Gets a dedicated driver’s display, but a smaller 12.9-inch infotainment
Second-gen Vinfast VF8 powertrain
Gets a 60.13kWh battery paired with a 228hp front-axle-mounted motor
The second-generation Vinfast VF8 is offered with a 60.13kWh battery pack that is mated with a front-axle-mounted (FWD) electric motor, which produces 228hp and 330Nm. It has an NEDC-claimed range of 500km, and Vinfast claims it can be charged from 10-70 percent in under 30 minutes.
Interestingly, the previous-gen model was offered with a larger 87.7kWh battery pack and came with both FWD and AWD setups. The FWD version produced 201hp and 310Nm, which are 18hp and 20Nm less than the new-gen VF8. However, with the FWD setup, the battery had an NEDC-claimed range of 562km, which is 62km more than the new VF8’s.
Second-gen Vinfast VF8 exterior design
The new-gen VF8 gets new lighting elements but is smaller than before
With the generation update, Vinfast has made the VF8 sleeker and more modern-looking. The headlights now have an angrier look due to the segmented eyebrow-shaped DRLs, which are connected with a V-shaped lightbar. The black grille is blanked off and seamlessly merges with the front bumper, which is also blacked out in the centre. The bumper features air vents on the lower portion to cool the internals of the EV.
In profile, it gets redesigned 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, which are the same size as the older model. The windowline now rises towards the rear, making the VF8’s design more dramatic than before. The wheel arches and lower edges of the doors use gloss black cladding for contrast. The rear features larger taillights with the signature V-shaped LED strip, all of which is placed on a contrasting black trim. The rear bumper, finished in black, also looks sportier than before.
With the new generation, the VF8’s dimensions have also changed.
Second-gen Vinfast VF8 interior design and features
It gets a dedicated driver’s display, but the infotainment is smaller than before
The interior has also been thoroughly redesigned. The new-gen model now gets a smaller 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system compared to the previous model’s 15.6-inch unit. However, the new VF8 is offered with a digital driver’s display, which was not offered before. The 2-spoke steering wheel is also new, but it continues with a column-mounted drive selector stalk.
In terms of features, Vinfast has revealed that the new-gen VF8 gets a dual-zone climate control with an air purifier, a 6-way powered driver’s seat with memory function and an 8-speaker sound system. On the safety front, it gets an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) suite, a 360-degree camera and an electronic parking brake.
The second-generation Vinfast VF8 is priced at 999 million Vietnamese dong, which roughly translates to around Rs 36.5 lakh before taxes and duties. However, an Indian launch of the VF8 is unlikely to happen.
Dhruv Dhaka
Glenn Noronha
Uday Singh
