this new electric SUV shows that the Tesla Model Y still has a long way to go
The new VinFast VF8, which has just started marketing in the US, reveals its proven autonomy. And it doesn’t disappoint, especially against its rivals.
If you haven’t heard of VinFast yet, chances are you’ll be hearing a lot about it over the next few years. The young Vietnamese brand, founded in 2018, is starting to develop well, but above all will be exported to the whole world. And especially in Europe, when the manufacturer participated in the last Paris Motor Show in October. After that, VinFast will have a hard time dealing with new competitors, as the firm will have to deal with the arrival of many Chinese brands, such as Nio, Xpeng or BYD, in addition to rubbing shoulders with Tesla. This worries the experts a bit.
A bit of a disappointment
Among the cars on display at the VinFast stand in Paris today, the VF8 is making headlines. And for good reason, the electric SUV is finally about to begin marketing in the United States, as officials confirm. Approved for the American market. Very good news for the brand led by Benjamin DeLuca, who attended CES in Las Vegas with the VF5, VF6 and VF7.
So the first deliveries will start in California at the end of the month Edition version called VF8 City Edition. Limited to 999 copies, it is then on display starting at $59,000, the equivalent of €55,636. Price in the middle of the segment.
However, as the site explains, there is still a small downside. Cars. Indeed, the American agency responsible for SUV approval established its official autonomy under the EPA era. This is one of the closest to reality. The test protocol differs significantly from the European WLTP. At least we can say that the result is not really up to expectations.
Indeed, the electric SUV then claims a very disappointing autonomy of only 288 kilometers. Suffice it to say that this is very little, especially since the homologation period is tough, but it is generally carried out under fairly favorable conditions. In reality and depending on weather conditions, this number may be much lower later. This is especially true in winter, when the cold is the number one enemy of electric cars.
Upcoming update
Tesla has nothing to worry about when the Model Y is unveiled not less than 455 kilometers in the standard version Movement According to the WLTP cycle. In the long autonomy version, up to 565 kilometers. All at a more affordable price because the price of an electric SUV starts at 49,990 euros. Suffice it to say that the VinFast VF8 still has a long way to go to compete with the best-selling American brand.
However, the Vietnamese SUV was quite promising, while the brand’s website announced about it distance between 400 and 471 km, depending on the version. Asterisk, however, notes on its French website that ” all values shown are initial values established in the WLTP method. Final values will only be available after vehicle homologation scheduled for Q4 2022“.
If we don’t have to wait for a miracle, VinFast explains itupdate is scheduled for January, without specifying whether it will be far. This should particularly improve the autonomy of the electric SUV, which is available in two versions 260 and 300 kW (ie 348 and 402 hp). WLTP autonomy is announced at 400 kilometers, but so you will have to wait before having a heart network. Last September, the Asian brand announced that the first French copies would begin deliveries by the end of the year.
France, The VinFast VF8 starts at €46,050 and therefore narrowly qualifies for the €6,000 environmental bonus. The price not including the battery rental will cost you more 120 euros per month. However, the latter will definitely be available for purchase at an as-yet-undisclosed price. A strategy reminiscent of Nio, which offers battery rentals compatible with exchange stations to charge in just five minutes.
Vietnamese carmaker VinFast lands in Europe. We were lucky enough to be among the first to drive the upcoming VF8 SUV. It is 100% electric and requires an inspired approach…
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