Vinfast VF6: What We Know About The Creta EV Rival
The Vietnamese carmaker Vinfast is set to make its India debut soon. The VF6 will be one of the first products to go on sale here. It will compete with the Creta EV and the Mahindra BE6 when launched. Here is everything we know about the VF6.
Dimensions And Design
The VF6 is slightly shorter than the Creta EV, spanning 4.2m in length. It is, however, wider than the Hyundai and has a longer wheelbase as well. The VF6 has a crossover-like design and an imposing stance. The vehicle also comes with the signature V badge, sleek DRLs, aggressive headlamp design, aerodynamic flaps, honeycomb stripes on the bumper, connected LED tail lamps, tucked-in spoiler, 18-inch wheels and a coupe-like silhouette.
Interior And Features
The interior gets an all-Black colourway and leatherette seats. The seats are large and supportive and come with a ventilation function for the front row.
A free-standing 12.9-inch infotainment screen occupies the centre stage and offers wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Most functions inside have been integrated into the touchscreen, and physical controls are few in number. There is, however, no dedicated driver display offered.
The cabin comes with several storage spaces, door bins and pockets. However, the door bins could be slightly small for litre-sized bottles. The dashboard would look premium with its soft touch finish and contrast stitching.
Other features to be expected on the electric SUV are a massive panoramic glassroof, an air purifier, dual-zone climate control, rear AC vents, auto-dimming IRVMs, 360-degree camera, head-up display, and level 2 advanced driver assistance system (ADAS).
Safety Kit
The safety suite includes seven airbags, ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, ESC, Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, and more. Vinfast could aim for a five-star BNCAP rating with the vehicle.
Powertain Details
Vinfast has based the VF6 on a ground-up born-electric platform. The skateboard platform has a flat floor and offers maximum cabin room. Unlike rivals like the BE6, the VF6 is a Front Wheel Drive (FWD) car. Vinfast, however, sells an All Wheel Drive (AWD) version overseas, which is unlikely to come to India.
The India-spec VF6 will have an electric powertrain capable of producing 200 bhp and 310 Nm of torque. The large 59.6kWh battery pack makes the VF6 heavy. It however, manages to do the 0-100 kph run in under nine seconds. It is quick, but not breathtakingly fast!
Vinfast has given this electric crossover four levels of selectable regen braking- Off, Low, Medium, and High. The last of these would be the most aggressive and facilitate one-pedal driving. There are three drive modes on offer as well- Eco, Normal and Sport. You will get the maxium range in the Eco mode and peak performance in 'Sport'. The vehicle is claimed to deliver a range of around 440 km per charge.
Another key highlight of the VF6 is its suspension setup. It features independent suspension on all four wheels. This is claimed to strike a better balance between comfort and handling, compared to rivals.
Bottomline
Vinfat is a completely new name in India. It will first need to establish itself as a brand here, to generate sales and attain profitability. It is likely that the carmaker will price the VF6 aggressively. The ex-showroom price could undercut that of the competitors by a notable margin.
The vehicle's got an appealing design, decent build quality, features and a competitive powertrain. The right placement could give Vinfast the start it deserves. The carmaker would also need to provide strong support, service, warranty and buyback schemes.