[Quick Encounter] First-Ever VinFast VF9 Delivered to Customers

On the morning of March 27, 2023, the first 27 VinFast VF9 cars in the world were handed over to customers in three cities: Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. The showroom at each location welcomed the 9 customers who had made the earliest deposits, allowing them to drive away in their new cars.

The VF9 is VinFast’s latest electric SUV, following the release of the VF e34 and VF8. As part of their electric car development strategy, VinFast has designed the VF9 to be the largest SUV in their lineup. The car measures 5,120 x 2,000 x 1,721mm, with a wheelbase of 3,150mm.

At the VinFast Ocean Park Hanoi showroom, 9 VF9 cars were on display in various colors, including black, white, gray, silver, red, green, and blue. Unfortunately, there were no yellow-orange VF9s available on the first day of delivery.

Similar to VinFast President, the flagship SUV model, the VF9 features air intakes on the hood that give the car a rugged look. However, unlike VinFast President, where the air intakes direct air into the engine, the double air intakes on the VF9 serve to improve aerodynamics and enhance aesthetics by running from the front of the car to the windshield.

The side air intakes on the VF9 are also connected to both sides of the car, rather than cooling the brakes like high-performance cars or regular racing cars. Additionally, amber indicator lights are located on both sides of the car’s front fenders to increase visibility for oncoming traffic.

While these amber lights are a requirement for the US market, they are not standard in other markets, including Vietnam. This suggests that VinFast intends to export cars to the US and has already incorporated this feature in their first VF9 cars.

The front of the VF9 features VinFast’s signature bird-wing-shaped LED strip, representing the spirit of Vietnam. The lighting system includes two intelligent LED projectors on each side. The front bumper houses a radar, while the windshield houses a camera for the car’s intelligent driving assistance system ADAS.

The VF9’s design includes sunken door handles on the sides, similar to luxury cars from the UK or Germany. The car’s wheels are equipped with Continental tires in size 275/40R21, a well-known brand in the automotive industry.

On the driver’s side, below the A-pillar, there is an electric charging port that can charge the car from 10 to 70% in less than 30 minutes when connected to a fast charger.

The first batch of VF9 cars delivered to customers all have a premium 6-seat configuration, providing spaciousness and comfort. Customers can also choose a 7-seat configuration to accommodate more passengers.

One of the standout features of the VF9 Plus is the panoramic sunroof that extends the length of the roof, reaching the end of the second row of seats. Additionally, the third row of seats has a small sunroof at the rear, creating a spacious and airy environment for passengers.

Even with all 3 rows of seats folded, the VF9’s trunk still has enough space to hold about 4 cabin suitcases. When the third row of seats is folded, the storage space expands significantly, providing ample room for luggage during travel.

For Plus users, the VF9 offers additional conveniences such as front seats with massage, cooling, and heating functions. The second row of seats features an 8-inch entertainment screen, and the car is equipped with automatic anti-glare mirrors on the exterior. All VF9 cars come standard with a 15.6-inch center entertainment screen and an HUD (head-up display).

The driver’s seat features an electronic shift lever on the right side, with the car’s start button integrated into the saddle position, similar to the younger VF9 model. VinFast cars have a simplified interior design compared to other models on the market, with all physical buttons integrated into the center screen.

In terms of safety, the VF9 is equipped with 11 airbags and an advanced ADAS steering assist system. This system includes lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, lane centering control, adaptive cruise control, front/rear/blind-spot collision warning, advanced emergency braking, urgent lane-keeping assist, front/rear parking assist, and surround-view monitoring.

Users can also take advantage of the Smart Services intelligent utility and entertainment application package that comes with the car. The VF9 is equipped with virtual assistants and smart connection solutions, allowing for seamless integration with various smart scenarios such as automatic door opening/closing and email or shopping while on the go.

At the rear of the car, the VF9 is equipped with 2 cameras. One camera displays the image when the car is in reverse, prioritizing passenger safety and convenience. The other camera works with the 3 cameras on the side mirrors and front of the car to provide a 360-degree view around the car.

Under the hood, all VF9 cars are powered by 2 electric motors that deliver a maximum power of 300 kW (402 horsepower) and a maximum torque of 620 Nm. The car is fitted with a 92 kWh battery pack, providing a range of up to 438 km per full charge for the Eco version and up to 423 km for the Plus version (according to the European WLTP standard).

The VF9 is available in two versions: Eco and Plus, priced at 1.491 – 1.685 billion VND (excluding the battery). With the battery included (if purchased separately), the price ranges from 1.970 – 2.178 billion VND.

Following the initial delivery of VF9 cars, VinFast will continue to deliver to customers across the country. The company will also organize test-drive programs nationwide and extend their reach to international customers, including the US market.

Article by Anh Phan (Tuoitrethudo)