VinFast to unveil sedan and SUV at Paris Motor Show

VinFast to unveil sedan and SUV at Paris Motor Show

Fledgling Vietnamese carmaker VinFast has its sights set on the global stage with its near-production sedan and SUV concepts, set to debut at the Paris Motor Show next month. The company is aiming high with the two cars – premium models based on BMW platforms and running on Munich engines and drivetrains.

Both cars share a distinctive design language, with the front end featuring slim, broad LED daytime running lights (separate from the main headlight units lower down) that emanate from the V-shaped emblem. To the right of this emblem, a chrome splint creates an “F” shape that represents the second syllable of the VinFast name and gives the cars an asymmetric flourish. There’s also a hexagonal front grille and large air intakes.

The two cars betray their rear-biased underpinnings in their proportions, with a long bonnet and wheelbase. The sedan’s short rear end and horizontal lines are said to give the car a “symmetrical, sophisticated and elegant beauty,” while the SUV’s more muscular bonnet and bolder, more purposeful character lines are claimed to give it a sportier look. The tail light graphics echo the ones on the front DRLs.

VinFast to unveil sedan and SUV at Paris Motor Show

VinFast held a public vote on the designs of the cars in Vietnam, with over 62,000 people voting on 20 sketches from ItalDesign, Pininfarina, Torino Design and Zagato. The winning ItalDesign sketches were refined by Pininfarina in Italy, completely eschewing clay modelling and relying on 3D computer-aided design (CAD) to expedite the design process. The cars are being presented just a year after the public vote.

The production sedan and SUV, the latter a seven-seater, will be based on the F10 5 Series and F15 X5 respectively, and will be powered by BMW’s previous-generation N20 engine – a 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder mill that will be offered in 174 hp and 228 hp outputs. A ZF eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels, and there will also be an all-wheel drive option for the SUV.

After the Paris show, the two cars will be introduced in Vietnam at the end of the year, with deliveries kicking off in September next year.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • bieight on Sep 11, 2018 at 9:50 am

    Vietnam first national car base on BMW, Malaysia first national car based on a ugly Mitsubishi……

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 17
  • mpower on Sep 11, 2018 at 9:54 am

    BMW powered VinFast sedan and SUV look more promising than geely Borui and Boyue. P1 shud rehire ItalDesign had sketched their suprima and Prevé.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 8
  • kzm (Member) on Sep 11, 2018 at 10:36 am

    that rather ambitious.. straight go to premium segment. i tot they go for bajet segment first.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 2
    • 4G63T DSM on Sep 12, 2018 at 10:49 am

      Ambitious yes. As they say fortune favours the bold.

      Vietnam isn’t what many think it still is. You would be surprised of the amount of premium cars on the road.

      Because they don’t have Perodua or Proton, Thier budget cars start from Hyundais i10(mostly grab cars), Honda city, Toyota Vios and the Mazda2 (which ironically is the cheapest of the trio). Cars that pretty much command a premium here in Malaysia. So the difference between a premium marque and a normal brand isn’t as big as we are used to.

      Vietnam’s nouveau riche are also very brand conscious, so something with premium German underpinnings designed by a highbrow Italian house would certainly carry weight.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 5
  • Sonyman on Sep 11, 2018 at 10:56 am

    Nice. Go Vietnam. While in Malaysia.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 8
    • Ericson on Sep 12, 2018 at 11:08 am

      When P1 target premium car you condemn because they are not into budget cars but when VinFast…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
      • kzm (Member) on Sep 12, 2018 at 1:43 pm

        Even rumour X70 price RM130k pipu already like crazy..

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • AutoFrenz (the original) on Sep 11, 2018 at 11:30 am

    Except for the grille everything looks nice..the sedan looks like perdana…obviously they know the perdana is a beauty…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
  • Meh. The sedan front looks like Honda City facelift with slim headlights.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • And I thought the Boyue is going to be SEA’s best vehicle, too soon.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 6
    • Engineer on Sep 12, 2018 at 8:54 am

      Must see what’s the ASEAN NCAP rating first. If only 1 star then how is it defined as better than Boyue?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
    • stastasta on Sep 13, 2018 at 10:33 am

      its based on previous gen x5 , how can it get 1 star? stupid engineer.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Ahmadjr on Sep 11, 2018 at 2:17 pm

    I see they’re aiming for vietnam government officials and agency fleet first

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • pomen on Sep 11, 2018 at 3:25 pm

    this SUV design 10 times better than X70…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 9
  • win fast sure loose fast on Sep 11, 2018 at 4:13 pm

    front design plagiaries too much from Nissan and old Alfa Romeo…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Gotta admit, the sedan looks fantastic

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • Makanmakan on Sep 11, 2018 at 8:38 pm

    Looks like a photoshopped X5. This got to be a joke right? Right!?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
  • hhaha on Sep 11, 2018 at 9:11 pm

    looks much better than proton p2 and china made cars.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 6
  • VinFast a combination of Vin Diesel and Fast & Furious – Seems like a winner. Malaysia lets make our own brand DieFurious I’m sure it is gonna sell even better.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Vietnam start stronger with the national car project.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • #wapalewheelsperfume on Sep 12, 2018 at 8:46 am

    Vietnam? Is it their 1st car? Or do I’ve missed something about Vietnam cars… hmmm

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Can they afford it? on Sep 14, 2018 at 10:20 am

    what the price in vietnam?

    can the normal ppl afford it there?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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