The Vinfast VF 8 SUV was unveiled at last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, and a CarScoops reader has spied a VF 8 prototype undergoing testing in Europe. Timothy Banks snapped this camouflaged VF 8 prototype near the IDADA center in Spain. While there isn’t really any need for the camouflage as the Vietnamese automaker has already unveiled the SUV, it is clearly still fine-tuning the vehicle before European deliveries start in the second half of 2022.
The all-electric VinFast VF 8 is similar
in size to the Tesla Model X and will be available in dual-motor, all-wheel
drive guise with 402 hp and 620 Nm. Battery capacity size has not
been confirmed but this version of the VF 8 should be good for 499
km of range on a single charge. Customers may also be offered a single motor
version with 201 hp and a smaller battery pack with 459 km of
range.
VinFast has given the VF 8 quite an
intriguing design. Found up front are a set of uniquely-shaped headlights that
neatly connect to some silver accents and the central Vinfast logo. There is no
fake front grille like some other EVs but there is a lower grille to aid in
cooling. Spin around to the rear and you will find LED taillights with a
prominent light bar. We’ve yet to see every inch of the VF 8’s interior in
detail but do know that it features a landscape-oriented 15.6-inch infotainment
screen suspended in front of a minimalist dashboard. There is no traditional
digital instrument cluster but there is an advanced head-up display that shows
all vital driving information.
After launching in Europe, VinFast plans
to begin selling the VF 8 in the United States before the end of this year.