The electrical automobile world is an fascinating place in 2022. As firms race to advance EV applied sciences, various startups have joined the race—significantly on the two-wheeled aspect. While some have clearly had extra success than others, it’s at all times heartening to see new concepts emerge—even when they don’t utterly get it proper the primary time. You should crawl earlier than you may stroll, proper?
One fairly current entrant into the EV realm is Vietnamese producer VinFast. It’s not a family identify within the U.S. but, though it will clearly prefer to be. It’s a younger firm, however that’s why it’s completed issues like rent famend automotive agency Pininfarina to design its mid-sized electrical SUV, the VF8, and signal on to a world partnership with the IRONMAN long-distance triathlon group.
Most EV makers have chosen to make both four-wheeled or two-wheeled automobiles—not each. That’s one other approach during which VinFast is totally different. Since we’re RideAside, in fact, our main curiosity is within the firm’s two-wheelers—which I just lately had the chance to take a look at in particular person.
While VinFast CEO Le Thi Thu Thuy introduced that VinFast plans to promote its electrical scooters within the U.S., as of July, 2022, it’s not clear which mannequin(s) are deliberate for our market. That’s cool, as a result of we all know that not all our readers are based mostly within the U.S. anyway, proper? So, let’s let you know about all 4 of them as a substitute.
VinFast Feliz S
The Feliz S is the least costly member of the VinFast scooter household, and it’s clearly made to make daily commuting a breeze. It includes a hub-mounted, 1,800-watt electrical motor, with a claimed prime pace of 78 kilometers per hour (about 48 mph). The battery pack is a 3.5 kilowatt-hour unit, providing a claimed 198 kilometers (about 123 miles) per cost. Charge time is roughly six hours, which makes it straightforward to stay on a charger in a single day or whilst you’re at work or faculty for the day, if obligatory.
The suspension consists of a telescopic hydraulic setup in entrance, with a coil spring and damper hydraulic setup within the rear. The Feliz S will get a disc brake up entrance, and a drum brake in again. It rolls on a pair of 14-inch wheels, and has LED lighting throughout. Total automobile weight together with the battery is 110 kilograms, or simply 242.5 kilos. Rated carrying capability is 130 kilograms, or simply underneath 287 kilos. It additionally boasts 25 liters of onboard storage capability—which is at all times useful on a scooter.
In 2022, it’s out there in 5 colours in its residence market: Pearl White, Red Wine, Moss Green, Shiny Black, and Silver. MSRP on the Feliz S is 29,900,000 Vietnamese dong, which works out to $1,280 as of August 1, 2022. That value contains each the charger and VAT.
VinFast Klara S
![VinFast Klara S](https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/E66m8w/s3/vinfast-klara-s.jpg)
The Klara S options a number of of the identical specs because the Feliz S. It’s powered by the identical 1,800-watt electrical motor, which is hub-mounted. Top pace is once more 78 km/h (about 48 mph), it will get about 194 kilometers (120.5 miles) on a single cost, and charging time is listed as six hours. The entrance and rear suspension are the identical, as nicely.
So, what’s totally different? In addition to styling variations, the Klara S boasts disc brakes within the entrance and the rear. It additionally has a 14-inch wheel up entrance and a 12-inch wheel in again. While the payload stays set at 130 kilograms (just below 287 kilos), complete automobile weight together with the battery is 112 kilograms, or simply underneath 247 kilos.
The Klara S is available in 5 colours for the Vietnamese market in 2022: Navy Blue, Pearl White, Bright Red, Rough Black, or Green. MSRP is 36,900,000 VND, which works out to about $1,580.
VinFast Vento S
![VinFast Vento S](https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/zxx744/s3/vinfast-vento-s.jpg)
The Vento S includes a extra highly effective, 3,000-watt electrical motor that’s mounted on the swingarm. It’s a belt-driven scooter, like a variety of fashionable combustion scooters are typically. Top pace is a claimed 89 km/h, or about 55 mph. The 3.5 kilowatt-hour battery costs in about six hours, and is sweet for round 160 kilometers (99-ish miles) per cost.
The suspension is similar as that on the Klara S and Feliz S, and the Vento S rolls on a pair of 12-inch wheels, entrance and rear. It will get disc brakes throughout, with the addition of ABS up entrance. Maximum capability is once more 130 kilograms (just below 287 kilos), and complete automobile weight is 122 kilograms (269 kilos).
The Vento S is available in six colours for the Vietnamese market in 2022: Yellow, Shiny Black, Red Orange, Bright Red, Mint Green, and Pearl White. MSRP is 56,000,000 VND, or about $2,397.
VinFast Theon S
![VinFast Theon S](https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/6ZZYAZ/s3/vinfast-theon-s.jpg)
The Theon S is well the sportiest scooter of the bunch—each in styling, and in character. It packs a 3,500-watt electrical motor, which is centrally-mounted. This scooter can be chain-driven, which units it aside each from the remainder of the VinFast scooter lineup, in addition to from many different fashionable scooters in 2022. Top pace is a claimed 99 km/h, or about 61.5 mph—and you’re feeling it in the event you trip it. This scooter needs to go. The identical 3.5 kilowatt-hour battery nestles underneath the footrest, and gives a claimed vary of 150 kilometers (93 miles) on a single cost.
Disc brakes and dual-channel ABS come commonplace at each ends on the Theon S, and it rolls on a pair of 16-inch wheels, which makes the dealing with really feel far more motorcycle-like. The most load capability stays set at 130 kilograms (just below 287 kilos). Total automobile weight on the Theon S is 145 kilograms, or simply underneath 320 kilos.
The Theon S is available in simply three colours for the Vietnamese market in 2022: Red, Black, or White. MSRP is 69,900,000 VND, or about $2,992.
What Are They Like to Ride?
While I solely had restricted time to take a look at the VinFast scooter lineup, I did get to expertise the total vary. After driving all of them, I can let you know that the Theon S, specifically, is a complete lot of enjoyable. A VinFast consultant instructed me it was roughly equal to a 300cc combustion scooter—and its zippy really feel definitely felt that approach. It additionally had probably the most responsive dealing with and brakes of the bunch, and it’s the one I might most readily see desirous to hop on and trip for on a regular basis errands.
The Feliz S, Klara S, and Vento S are definitely engaging, and all really feel solidly constructed sufficient (at the least, on first trip)—however both their brakes wanted bleeding, or they merely don’t brake in addition to you may want. I’m not sure if that was one thing to do with the check items I used to be capable of trip, or if that’s how they usually really feel from the manufacturing facility. In any case, with improved braking functionality, there’s no motive I can see that an individual inclined towards buying a light-weight electrical scooter wouldn’t need one in every of these of their lives.
All 4 of those scooters, by the best way, include IP67 waterproof rankings—so sure, they’re prepared for the tempestuous and wet climate for which Vietnam is legendary. They’re most likely additionally prepared to your wet commutes elsewhere on this planet, too.