VinFast PH introduces VF 3

MANILA: VinFast Philippines has debuted the VF3 subcompact crossover, and it has joined the marque’s locally available lineup as the smallest model yet.

In consideration of its sticker price, the VF3 has plenty of characteristics that make it a suitable rival to the likes of the Jetour Ice Cream electric vehicle (EV).

 “We are excited to launch the VF 3, which has been very successful in Vietnam, to the Philippine market. We believe this vehicle will bring a fresh wave to the Philippine automotive market and continue VinFast’s success story,” VinFast Philippines Chief Executive Officer Cao Ngoc Nguyen Duy said.

“With its affordability, ease of driving, and ease of ownership, the VF 3 can meet the needs of a wide range of customers, especially the younger generation, who play a key role in the transition to sustainable transportation. By introducing the VF 3, VinFast also demonstrates its commitment to contributing to the green transition in the Philippines,” he added.

So, what is the VF3 offering for prospective buyers? Let's find out.

Exterior

Up front, the VF3 gets a square-shaped grille reminiscent of larger sports utility vehicles (SUV). The aforementioned is flanked by large halogen headlamp clusters and capped from the bottom by a black-colored plastic bumper. 

Over towards the side of the new model, one can see that it received an SUV-like stance thanks to its square-shaped silhouette. Further honing in its small but capable appearance are chunky black fender flares and a set of 16-inch steel rims. 

 Its rear section, on the other hand, was kitted out with halogen taillights, a manual tailgate, and a bulky-looking rear bumper. 

Size-wise, the said VF3 is 3,190-millimeters (mm) long, 1,679-mm wide, and 1,622-mm in height. Its wheelbase also spans 2,075-mm, and it has a ground clearance of 191-mm. 

Interior

Inside the VF3 is a decently sized cabin with enough room for up to four occupants. All inside are kept comfortable by fabric-clad seats and kept cool by a filtered manual air-conditioning system. The driver, meanwhile, has access to a push-to-start button, manually adjustable seats, a window demister, a day and night rearview mirror, plenty of cup holders, and a drive mode selector.

The said drive mode selector of the VF3 features economy and normal modes. It also has a “crawl” or “creep” mode.  

Concerning onboard entertainment and navigation, the new locally available VinFast nameplate comes standard with a 10-inch infotainment display with Bluetooth and Wifi connectivity. The said screen is likewise linked to a two-piece speaker system. 

In total, the four-seater boasts a trunk space of 285 liters with the rear seats folded down. 

Safety

Handling safety for the VF3 is an array of standard features, including anti-lock braking, traction control, stability control, and hill-start assist. It is also packed with dual-front airbags and an automatic rear parking assistant. 

Powertrain

Propelling the VF3 forward is an air-cooled permanent magnet synchronous motor paired with an 18-kilowatt lithium-ion battery. Shifting gears is done through stalk-integrated buttons, while power is sent to the vehicle’s rear wheels. 

At maximum, the all-new crossover can generate up to 43 horsepower and 110 Newton-meters of torque. It also has a 215-kilometer (km) range from a single full charge, as indicated by the New European Driving Cycle. 

Per VinFast, the VF3 is capable of reaching 10-70 percent battery levels in just 35 minutes when using a fast charger. 

To note, each purchase of the all-new crossover comes with a seven-year or 160,000 km warranty. Units bought with a battery included also get an eight-year unlimited battery warranty. 

Pricing

Regular pricing for the VinFast VF3 is set at P645,000 with a battery subscription or P745,000 for a unit packaged with a battery. 

From September 19-30, 2024, however, the company is offering a special price for the model at P605,000 (battery subscription) or P705,000 (battery included). 

Additionally, the Vietnamese marque’s local arm offers a flexible monthly pricing scheme for the battery subscription. It ranges from P2,800-P6,300 and depends on the travel range a client needs per month. 

Below is the list detailing the battery subscription fees for the VinFast VF 3:

Monthly Travel Distance	Monthly Battery Subscription Fee
≤ 1,500 km	P2,800 pesos
1,500 – 2,500 km	P3,800 pesos
> 2,500 km	6,300 pesos

 

The VF3 may come in nine different colors. Four options come at no additional cost, while a total of five are offered for an additional fee of P20,000. 

Lastly, the launch event also kicked off the reservation period for the said model. Specifically, would-be buyers may now make a P5,000 deposit on the brand’s official website or any of its authorized dealerships. 

Also read:

VinFast PH confirms VF 3 arrival within Sep. 2024

VinFast mulls over VF 3 introduction to PH

VinFast officially enters PH