Imagine a car that decides to do a wild burnout, all on its own, without you even touching the gas pedal! That's exactly what's been happening with the VinFast VF8, a midsize electric crossover from Vietnam's only car manufacturer selling in the U.S. This isn't the first time VinFast has been in the spotlight for less-than-stellar reasons; the automotive press has been quite vocal, and frankly, not very kind, about their experiences. We've also seen reports detailing just how much money VinFast is reportedly losing, adding another layer to the unfolding story. But now, a video has surfaced that's both astonishing and a little bit terrifying, showcasing the VF8 in a rather unexpected and uncontrolled situation on a snowy hill.
But here's where it gets truly bizarre: This particular incident involves the VF8's 'creep mode' malfunctioning when it encounters a loss of traction. You see, electric vehicles don't always mimic the gentle forward roll of traditional automatic cars when you ease off the brake. To address this, many EVs offer a 'creep function' that can be enabled. In the VF8, this mode is designed to increase throttle when the car senses resistance, like going uphill, to help it inch forward. However, it seems this very system can go haywire when the road surface offers very little grip.
The VF8's creep mode turns into freak-out mode real quick.
In the video, the driver is completely hands-off the accelerator. The car's computer, interpreting the situation through its creep mode, is the one dictating the action. When one of the rear wheels loses grip on the icy incline, instead of managing power, the car appears to send a significant amount of energy to that single spinning wheel. The result? A violent wheelspin that, incredibly, manages to produce tire smoke even on ice! This is a stark contrast to what you'd expect from a vehicle designed for everyday use.
And this is the part most people miss: The second attempt in the video is arguably even more alarming. The VF8 directs all its power to the wheel with the least traction – the driver's side rear tire. This causes the entire vehicle to spin and slide down the hill, all without any input from the driver. What's even more concerning is that both of these initial attempts were made with the traction control system fully engaged. This suggests that the problem isn't just a simple lack of driver control, but a deeper issue within the car's systems.
For the third demonstration, the driver intentionally disengaged the traction control, hoping the VF8 could manage the icy slope on its own. Yet, the passenger-side rear wheel lost traction, causing it to spin furiously. This not only generated a cloud of smoke but also sent a stream of debris pelting the person filming from behind. Following this, the car's dashboard lit up with warning lights, a rather fitting, if not concerning, display. If you happen to own a VinFast VF8, it's crucial to be aware of this peculiar and potentially hazardous behavior linked to its creep mode.
Now, I have to ask: Does this incident make you question the reliability of advanced driver-assistance features in EVs, especially when traction is compromised? Or do you think this is an isolated glitch that VinFast can easily fix? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below – I'm genuinely curious to hear your perspectives!
