VinFast reveals three new EVs

Vietnamese automotive newcomer VinFast has issued first details and images of three electric vehicles that have been co-developed in Australia.

But far from being cheap entry-level models that you might expect from a third-world start-up, the VF31, VF32 and VF33 are all tech laden SUVs with Level 3 self-driving ability and features that are at Level 4.

That’s a level yet to be achieved by any publicly available production car in the world and one step off the maximum ‘no steering wheel’ Level 5.

The VinFast VF32 and VF33 (above) are bound for launch in the USA, Canada and Europe in November 2021, with deliveries commencing in June 2022. The VF31 is so-far bound for Vietnam only in early 2022. No pricing has been hinted at for any model.

Europe is a new destination for three-year-old VinFast, which had previously confirmed launch plans for North America.

Despite establishing a research and development centre in Australia 12 months ago, buying the Lang Lang testing ground from General Motors in September and hiring hundreds of former Holden engineers, VinFast is yet to confirm timing for its Australian launch.

But there is no doubt the Australian VinFast office and engineers have contributed to the development of at least some of these three new models.

They are the first EVs from VinFast which has up until now sold a sedan and two SUVs based on BMW technology (one with a Chev V8) and a rebadged Opel Karl.

These three models are the start of a potential model avalanche from VinFast, including a ute.

The small C-segment VF31 (above) is 4300mm long with a 2611mm wheelbase. It is powered by a choice of 85kW/190Nm or 150kW/320Nm permanent magnet e-motors. Battery capacity is 42kWh and the claimed range is 300km.

The mid-size D-segment VF32 (below) measures up at 4750mm long with a 2950mm wheelbase. The base version comes with a single 150kW/320Nm e-motor, while the premium version doubles up for 300kW/640Nm and all-wheel drive. The battery produces 90kWh, but no range is stated

The E-segment (large) VF33 is 5120mm long with a 3150mm wheelbase. It comes with two 150kW e-motors, up to 106kWh battery capacity and a claimed range up to 550km.

No info about battery chemistry was shared, but VinFast says the packs are mounted under the floor and heat resistant between 40-80 degrees C for safety.

All vehicles have automatic software updates, fault detection capability, auto emergency dialling and will come with a five-star Euro NCAP rating (except an ASEAN NCAP four-star rating for the VF31 Standard model), VinFast claims.

VF31 equipment includes self-driving and steering assistance features such as lane departure warning, blind spot warning, reverse cross traffic alert, a reversing camera, 360 degree camera, front and back parking sensors and automatic headlights.

The interior is highlighted by 10.0- or 12.8-inch infotainment screens, air-conditioning with HEPA filters, steering wheel and seat heating (in Vietnam?) and seat ventilation.

VinFast claims “Level 2-3” self-driving capability for the VF32 and VF33 with 30 intelligent features divided into seven groups including driver assistance, lane control, speed control, collision warning and mitigation, parking assistance and driver monitoring.

The fully optioned versions of VF32 and VF33 include Lidar sensing, 14 cameras and 19 360-degree sensors. The self-driving system is controlled by a Nvidia Orin-X chip that VinFast says can process up to 200GB data per second, allowing control and navigation up to eight times faster than current generations.

Level 4 features the Premium VF32 and VF33 models can offer are three-dimensional map settings, auto-detect parking slot and auto-parking, vehicle summoning and smart city integration.

The VF32 comes with a 15.4-inch infotainment screen, an interior lighting system with multi-colour adjustment. The VF33 uses a 15-4-inch matrix LED screen and has a 2.63m2 panoramic sunroof.

VinFast says its new models will also come with artificial intelligence technology, deep learning, facial recognition and a multi-lingual virtual assistant.

“The above features not only open up a space for enjoyment, but also fully customizable to personalize the vehicle according to the characteristics and usage habits of the owner,” a VinFast statement says.

“This is an outstanding difference that VinFast focuses on accelerating user experience, creating every most valuable moment, only available in VinFast electric cars.”

VinFast is part of the Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest privately held business, with assets valued at up to $35 billion.

The owner is a Russian-educated Vietnamese, Pham Nhat Vuong, who began his business career selling noodles in the Ukraine. He made his first fortune when he sold that business to Nestle for $150m and then returned home 25 years ago to establish Vingroup. He is Vietnam’s richest man.