VinFast VF3 and VF5 facelift: design patents filed in India
By Arjun Ramanarayanan, IndiCar · Published 27 October 2026 · News
VinFast has filed India design patents for the VF 3 and a facelifted VF5. The VF5 is testing in India, is expected at around Rs 12 lakh and is expected to launch in 2027.
Key takeaways
- VinFast has filed India design patents for the VF 3 and the VF5 facelift; neither is confirmed for India.
- The VF5 is testing in India, is expected at around Rs 12 lakh and is expected to launch in 2027.
- The VF5 facelift gets repositioned headlights, a new bonnet, redesigned LED taillights and fresh bumpers, with 16-inch wheels retained.
- The VF 3 is about 3,190mm long with a reported 18.64kWh battery, 41PS and a claimed range of up to 215km.
- VinFast reportedly plans two more electric cars in India this financial year, expected to be the VF3 and VF5.
VinFast has filed design patents in India for two electric cars: the VF 3, a small SUV about 3,190mm long, and a facelifted VF5. VinFast has not confirmed either for India. The VF5 is the closer prospect: it is already testing here, is expected to cost around Rs 12 lakh and is expected to launch sometime in 2027.
What the VF5 facelift patent shows
Four parts of the VF5's exterior change in the patent drawings:
- Headlights moved to a new position
- A new bonnet
- Redesigned LED taillights
- Fresh bumpers front and rear
These are not just drawings. The facelifted VF5 was seen without camouflage in Vietnam in September 2026, and the changes on that car match the Indian patent. The wheels on the spied car stay at 16 inches.
VinFast has not said whether this facelifted version is the one that will come to India. A design patent protects the look of the car in this market; it does not tell you which version reaches showrooms here.
VF5 timing and expected price
Around Rs 12 lakh is the expected price for the India-spec VF5, and 2027 is the expected launch year. Both figures are reported expectations, not VinFast announcements.
Testing in India is now underway, which is the main reason the 2027 window is taken seriously. The claimed ranges you may see quoted, about 268 km and 326 km on the NEDC cycle, belong to the international model. VinFast has not confirmed India-spec specifications, so treat those range numbers as a guide to the car abroad rather than a promise for the car sold here.
VF 3 size, battery and trims
The VF 3 is a very compact car: about 3,190mm long and 1,679mm wide, on a 2,075mm wheelbase. It is offered abroad in two trims, Eco and Plus, both with a single motor.
| VF 3 | Figure |
|---|---|
| Length | About 3,190mm |
| Width | About 1,679mm |
| Height | 1,622mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,075mm |
| Battery | 18.64kWh |
| Motor | Single motor on the rear axle |
| Power and torque | 41PS and 110Nm |
| Claimed range | Up to 215km on a single charge |
| Trims | Eco and Plus |
The height, wheelbase, battery and motor figures are reported, not confirmed by VinFast for an Indian car. VinFast had not confirmed the VF 3 for India when the patent surfaced, though the filing suggested the model could be under consideration here.
The numbers point to a car built for short urban trips. A 41PS motor and a claimed 215km range describe a second car or a city runabout, not a highway cruiser.
What VinFast has said about launches
Two more electric cars before the end of this financial year: that is what VinFast reportedly said at the launch of the VF MPV 7, which is priced at Rs 24.49 lakh ex-showroom.
VinFast did not name the two cars. They are expected to be the VF3 and VF5, which fits with both models now having design patents filed in India. Until VinFast names them, the pairing remains an expectation.
VF 3 and VF5 side by side
Here is what the reported facts say about each where both have published information.
| VF 3 | VF5 | |
|---|---|---|
| India design patent filed | Yes | Yes, for the facelift |
| India launch confirmed by VinFast | No | No, for the facelift |
| Claimed range | Up to 215km | About 268 km and 326 km NEDC, international model |
What this means if you are buying an EV now
If you need an electric car in the next few months, do not wait for either of these. Neither is confirmed for India, the VF5 is expected in 2027, India-spec VF5 specifications are not confirmed, and only the VF5 has an expected price.
If a small VinFast is genuinely on your list and you can wait, the VF5 is the one to watch. It has testing underway in India, an expected price of around Rs 12 lakh and a facelift whose design is already public. The VF 3 is a smaller, lower-powered proposition with a shorter claimed range, so it suits you only if most of your driving is short city runs.
For a car you can buy now, you can browse all new cars with on-road prices on IndiCar and work out the full cost of any model with the on-road price calculator. Purchase price is only part of the picture with an electric car; running costs are not covered here.
Sources: Vinfast VF5 facelift previewed via design patent, VinFast India patent, Vinfast VF3 price, specs, range, interior - Introduction, Vinfast VF5 Spied Testing In India: To Be Vinfast's Most Affordable Electric Car
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Frequently asked questions
Has VinFast confirmed the VF5 facelift for India?
No. VinFast has filed a design patent in India for the VF5 facelift but has not confirmed whether that version will launch here.
When is the VinFast VF5 expected in India and at what price?
The VF5 is expected to launch in India sometime in 2027, with testing now underway. The India-spec model is expected to be priced at around Rs 12 lakh.
What changes on the VF5 facelift?
The patent shows repositioned headlights, a new bonnet, redesigned LED taillights and fresh bumpers. The spied car in Vietnam keeps 16-inch wheels.
How big is the VinFast VF 3?
The VF 3 is about 3,190mm long and 1,679mm wide, with a reported height of 1,622mm and a wheelbase of 2,075mm.
What range does the VF 3 claim?
The VF 3 is claimed to offer up to 215km on a single charge, from a reported 18.64kWh battery and a rear-axle motor rated at 41PS and 110Nm.
Will VinFast launch the VF3 and VF5 this financial year?
VinFast reportedly said at the VF MPV 7 launch that two more electric cars would come to India before the end of this financial year. They are expected to be the VF3 and VF5, but VinFast has not named them.
Tags: vinfast, vinfast vf3, vinfast vf5, electric cars, upcoming cars