On August 1st, the VinFast VF 3 electric car model was officially handed over to customers at an event held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The units delivered today are for those who made the first deposits. Subsequent deliveries will be announced by the manufacturer.
The VinFast VF 3 car model broke records in the Vietnamese market with 27,649 bookings after 66 hours of opening sales, averaging more than one booking every 8 seconds, demonstrating the appeal of this mini electric car.
The VinFast VF 3 is priced at VND 240 million (with a battery lease) and VND 322 million (with battery purchase). The on-road cost is also not too high as the VF 3, being a pure electric car, is currently exempt from registration fees, according to regulations. Ownership costs could be further reduced depending on the company’s incentive policies.
The VinFast VF 3 belongs to the mini electric car segment, competing with the Wuling Mini EV. Its dimensions are 3,190 x 1,679 x 1,622 mm (length x width x height), with a wheelbase of 2,075 mm and a ground clearance of up to 191 mm. Thus, the VF 3 is larger than the Mini EV and even wider than most A-segment cars. Moreover, the VF 3’s height can be compared to that of the VF 8 (1,667 mm). Its ground clearance surpasses some C-D segment CUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Ford Territory. With these specifications, the car remains compact for easy maneuverability in urban areas while providing a comfortable interior space.
The VinFast VF 3’s design has been well-received since its preview. The car stands out with its angular lines and robust creases from front to back. The square-shaped headlights and side mirrors complement the logo, a stylized V resembling a bird’s wings, on the front and rear bumpers. The halogen lighting system lacks LED daytime running lights. The car is fitted with 175/75R16 tires and 16-inch alloy wheels.
The VF 3 offers a diverse range of colors with nine options to choose from. These include four basic colors: Green, White, Red, and Gray, as well as five premium colors: Yellow with a white roof, Light Green, Pink Purple, Light Blue with a white roof, and Pink with a white roof. Additionally, the Vietnamese automaker allows customers to personalize their VF 3 beyond the available nine colors and exterior decorative patterns.
Despite being a mini electric car, the VinFast VF 3’s interior provides a comfortable space thanks to its minimalist design.
A notable highlight is the 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, larger than what is offered in some B-segment cars on the market. It features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Other notable conveniences include a two-speaker audio system, a manually controlled air conditioner with dust filtration, electronic parking brakes, and a camping mode.
The fabric seats can be manually adjusted in four directions and feature integrated headrests for the front seats. The second row can be fully folded down, increasing the luggage capacity to 285 liters.
Four adults can fit comfortably in the mini electric car’s cabin.
The VinFast VF 3 is powered by an electric motor positioned at the rear wheels, producing 43.5 horsepower and 110 Nm of torque, sufficient for an urban vehicle. These figures surpass those of the Wuling Mini EV (26.82 horsepower and 85 Nm of torque).
According to the manufacturer, the car can accelerate from 0 to 50 km/h in 5.3 seconds and from 0 to 100 km/h in 19.3 seconds, with a top speed of 100 km/h. VinFast states that the VF 3 can only reach its maximum speed when the battery level exceeds 50%. The VF 3’s average energy consumption is 9 kWh/100 km (based on the NEDC standard).
The 18.64 kWh battery offers a maximum range of 210 km per charge based on the NEDC standard, significantly higher than that of the Wuling Mini EV. Thanks to regenerative braking technology, the car can even travel beyond this range. In reality, a VF 5 Plus owner once achieved a distance of 350 km, surpassing the manufacturer’s claim of 326.4 km. Charging from 10% to 70% takes only 36 minutes. The VinFast VF 3’s charging port is located on the rear passenger side, similar to the VF e34.
The VinFast VF 3 is equipped with safety features such as ABS, emergency brake assist, traction control (TCS), hill-start assist, emergency front seatbelt tensioning, engine immobilizer in case of theft, and one airbag. The car also offers rear parking assistance (reverse sensors) and a rearview camera.
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