Vinfast has revealed the second-generation VF8 eSUV in Vietnam, making it the first model in its line-up to receive a new generation. This upcoming VF8 sports a fresh design, has smaller proportions and gets a smaller battery pack with a lower claimed range.
- Smaller battery pack but an 18hp more potent front motor
- Significantly decreased length, width and wheelbase
- Adds a dedicated driver’s display but has a smaller 12.9-inch infotainment screen
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 mated to a front-axle-mounted (FWD) electric motor, producing 228hp and 330Nm. The VF8’s NEDC-claimed range is 500km, and Vinfast claims it can be charged from 10 to 70 percent in under 30 minutes.
Interestingly, the previous-gen model packed a larger 87.7kWh battery and came with both FWD and AWD setups. Its FWD version produced 201hp and 310Nm, which is 18hp and 20Nm less than the new VF8, but had a 62km higher NEDC-claimed range at 562km.
Second-gen Vinfast VF8 exterior design
Smaller but more modern-looking than its predecessor
With the generation update, Vinfast has made the VF8 sleeker and more modern-looking. The headlights now have an angrier look thanks to the segmented eyebrow-shaped daytime running lamps (DRLs) connected by a V-shaped lightbar. The blanked-off black grille seamlessly merges with the bumper, which is also blacked out in the centre and features air vents on its lower portion to cool the EV’s internals.
The new VF8 rides on redesigned 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels and appears more dramatic than before, courtesy of a rising windowline. The wheel arches and lower edges of the doors use gloss-black cladding for contrast. At the rear, larger tail-lights feature the signature V-shaped LED strip, set against a contrasting black trim, while the black-finished bumper also looks sportier.
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.
