VinFast’s Tiny New EV Costs About $7,150 And Makes 40 HP

Alive and Kicking

VinFast's story is an incredible one, coming onto the scene relatively out of nowhere back in 2017. Despite numerous struggles and a few missteps, they are still alive and well; in fact, throughout the rest of the developing world, VinFast is growing and even thriving.

The lineup is varied, with cars ranging from the very basic to the highest echelons of luxury SUVs (or at least they try to). VinFast has always said that the priority is to provide basic EV mobility for everyone. Well, the company's newest car proves that.

Compact City Car

Previously, the most affordable and smallest car in the model lineup was the VF3; now the brand is introducing an even smaller one, the VF2. VinFast says the VF2 is its offering to bring more people into very accessible EV mobility. The official press release even states that the VF2 is a "two-door, four-seat city car that offers a safe and comfortable alternative to motorcycles, helping improve the quality of urban life."

The VF2 is actually a privatized, civilized version of the public transportation model known as the Minio Green. Overall dimensions are 3,090 mm in length, 1,496 mm in width, and 1,663.2 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,065 mm; to provide perspective, those measurements give the VF2 a slightly bigger overall footprint than a Smart Fortwo. Looks-wise, it isn't striking or weird; it just looks plain, which is a good thing, we guess? But inside, the VF2 is bare essentials only: a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, air conditioning, a 4-way adjustable driver's seat, two speakers, and an FM radio.

Just Enough

Powering the VF2 is a rear-wheel-drive electric motor that produces a total output of 40 hp and 47 lb-ft of torque. With numbers like that, you can imagine it won't be quick, and you'd be right. The top speed is only 50 mph, and it has two drive modes: Normal and Eco. In terms of range, a full charge will give you 130 miles, and it even has fast charging capabilities, 10-70% in just 34 minutes.

Safety specifications for the VF2 are pretty much standard: ABS, Traction Control, and Electric Brake Distribution. The head-scratcher is that it comes with only a driver's-side airbag; we can only imagine what its NCAP and NHTSA crash test scores will be. Should we really even complain, though? It only costs VND 188 million, or around $7,150 at current exchange rates.

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