VinFast has taken the wraps off its latest creation and, unfortunately, it’s adorable! I say unfortunately because the majority of our readership may be disappointed to discover that it has been created specifically for the Vietnamese market, not the global market.
Featuring a boxy design, two doors, and enough room for five passengers, our first look at the electric vehicle makes it seem deeply desirable. Officially classified as a “Mini car,” it measures in at just 122.5 inches (3,114 mm) in length, making it only about 2.5 inches (64 mm) longer than the original Mini.
VinFast has yet to reveal many other specifications, but it says that the VF 3 will be equipped with 16-inch rims (which should look chunky and fun on such a small vehicle) and will have “ample ground clearance” thanks to them.
Read: VinFast Secures $2.5 Billion In Fresh Funding For Global Expansion, But U.S. IPO Date In Doubt
Although the Vietnamese automaker says that the mini SUV will be powered by an electric motor and a battery, it doesn’t say how powerful or big they are. It only relays that they will “offer an impressive travel distance, catering to the needs and daily usage patterns of most Vietnamese drivers.”
A range of color options will give owners further customization options. Meanwhile, it will be offered in two trim levels, Eco and Plus, and will be “accessibly priced for mass appeal,” which will be an impressive feat for the EV manufacturer.
Indeed, VinFast has big aspirations for the VF 3. Thanks to its “noise-free operation, environmental friendliness, and, most importantly, high safety standards, VF 3 has the potential to become the new ‘national vehicle’ for the Vietnamese people,” it says.
If that’s the case, it provides car nerds with just one more reason to visit the country. VinFast says that orders for the VF 3 will open in September 2023, with deliveries expected to begin in the third quarter of 2024.