Controversial VinFast VF 8 nameplate could be coming to PH
VinFast is one of the fastest growing automotive brands in the Philippines. For the first half of this year, the young Vietnamese automaker rose to the top spot as the country’s top-selling battery electric vehicle (BEV) brand, based on data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI).
One well known product from VinFast is the VF 8, and it wasn’t for good reasons, receiving negative feedback from motoring journalists in the United States. And to bring it away from its poor reputation, VinFast unveiled an all-new second generation a few months ago, and it looks like it’s headed to the Philippines.
The first-generation VinFast VF 8 was never offered locally, with the brand opting to offer the smaller VF 7 and larger VF 9 instead. Things could change as homologation documents for the electric compact crossover’s new generation have appeared online, pointing to a potential launch in the coming months.
Just like what we saw at its unveiling, the all-new VinFast VF 8 for the Philippines could be powered by a single front electric motor that produces 231 horsepower and 330Nm of torque. A 60.13kWh battery will provide up to 500km of range on a single charge, and can be replenished through Type 2 AC charging or CCS2 DC charging.
Potential features we can expect from the VinFast VF 8 in the Philippines include 19-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting, vegan leather upholstery for the seats and steering wheel, a 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and multiple advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS), among other features.
This is all on top of its completely revised design, wearing a sharper rendition of VinFast’s signature design language with a V-shaped front and rear light bar signature, along with a large front grille and rear black mask that gives us a bit of Ferrari Luce or Nissan Leaf vibes.
Its interior also receives a more minimalist look compared to previous generation, similar to other VinFast models, but with sharper lines and angles, and a tablet-style instrument cluster that’s separate from the vehicle’s infotainment screen.
VinFast Philippines currently relies heavily on the mass market for its current sales, with the more upmarket VF 7 and VF 9 selling in limited numbers. Priced at VND 999-million (~Php 2,300,000) in Vietnam, the potential introduction of the VF 8 could help the brand gain a bit more market share in higher price segments. Do you agree?
