This is it! Volkswagen is stronger and back to the electric car game, and this time, they are back with an electric sedan, which looks dead gorgeous. Remember the ID. Aero Concept from last June? If yes, here is the production variant, which Volkswagen calls the ID.7. Volkswagen’s ID lineup has been full of surprises. The distinctive design morphed with striking lines, and an efficient powertrain has helped Volkswagen push the ID. lineup to the top of the EV market and with the success they received, it’s safe to introduce a sedan right now.
The stage is set, the lights are on, and the audience is expecting a surprise. Unlike most automakers, who choose various auto shows to preview their products, Volkswagen introduced its ID.7 at the CES (Consumer Electric Show) held in Las Vegas. Why? The ID.7 might be the successor to the Passat or even the Arteon, but that’s not the point! Volkswagen wants the world to look at its technology, and the ID.7 is just the thing.
The arriving Volkswagen ID.7 is highly advanced and is the first car to arrive with a unique camo that lights up and dances to a rhythm. Inside, the ID.7 takes things to a premium level with a highly digitized atmosphere, a best-in-class climate control system, and a new AI-enhanced voice recognition system.
As far as the launch date and pricing are concerned, Volkswagen has scheduled the ID.7’s full reveal for the second quarter of 2023. Speaking of availability, yes, this electric sedan as confirmed by the company is coming to the US besides China and Europe.
Volkswagen ID.7 Has The Tesla Model 3 And Polestar 2 In Its Crosshair
With the Passat gone and plans for discontinuing the underrated Arteon, Volkswagen brought the ID. Aero Concept to reality to fill the void and support electrification. The new Volkswagen ID.7 uses the MEB platform but is coy regarding details of the powertrain and its numbers.
Volkswagen claims the ID.7 has a range of 700 kilometers or 434.9 miles, which puts the Tesla Model 3, the Polestar 2, and the new Hyundai Ioniq 6 in its crosshair. In comparison, the 2023 Tesla Model 3 offers 267–272 miles of range with rear-wheel drive and 18–19-inch tires.
Buying the Long Range variant doesn’t help either because it offers 334–358 miles of range, while the Performance model offers only 315 miles with 20-inch tires. The Polestar 2 comes with a 78 kWh battery to provide 270–290 miles of range, depending on the drivetrain buyers choose. Talk about Hyundai? The South Korean maker isn’t safe either, with 310 miles offered in the Long Range variant.
As mentioned above, Volkswagen hasn’t revealed much, but we can take a rough guess at what to expect. Since the ID.7 will offer up to 434.9 miles, it will be based on the MEB+ platform and may arrive with the large 82 kWh battery or a new, larger battery with charging speeds as fast as 175-200 kW owing to the newer technology.
The lower variants of ID.7 may have one 201-hp electric motor with a rear-wheel-drive system, and the higher variants may carry two motors with an all-wheel-drive design offering 295 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. We may also see a high-performance flagship model like the Europe-exclusive ID.5 GTX 4Motion, offering brisker acceleration and sportier handling.
Volkswagen ID.7 Fully-Electric Sedan Goes High-Tech
Volkswagen indeed has tons of experience building luxury cars, and when it comes to flaunting deluxe designs, Volkswagen America went all-out with their "first full-electric sedan." Firstly, we like the chiseled design of the ID.7. The sloping roofline looks delightful and gives the exterior a premium look, and the curved lines from the ID. Buzz with sharp wedge-shaped headlines perfectly complements the car’s posh nature.
The front apron features performance-focused intakes and a wide central vent to deliver more airflow to the brakes and battery and optimize the aerodynamics. The sloping roofline and sleeker body reduce the drag coefficient to optimize aerodynamics and increase the range.
Carmakers often wrap their upcoming cars with camouflage stickers to hide the exterior elements and contours, but what Volkswagen has done here is both witty, unique, and beautiful. The ID.7 features a digital camouflage consisting of unique paintwork consisting of 40 layers with both conductive and insulating properties.
Among the 40 layers, 22 areas come with a special type of paint that lights up when electricity is passed through it. This feature is further connected to a sound system for creating an audiovisual show based on the rhythm of individual areas. The exterior also has QR codes on the hood and rear windows to allow buyers to find out more about the vehicle.
Volkswagen ID.7 Interior Will Be Mighty Luxurious
The inside of the upcoming ID.7 is impressive. It has a similar layout as that of the ID.4. Being a midsize sedan, the ID.7 has a large wheelbase of 116.9 inches, which not only will deliver poised handling but also excellent space inside. In comparison, the Tesla has a wheelbase of 113.2 inches, whereas the Polestar 2 keeps a 107.7-inch wheelbase. So, we expect the ID.7 to have a significantly larger body and be more palatial and roomier than the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2, and the Hyundai Ioniq 6.
As the future flagship EV, the ID.7 offers the latest technologies. The cabin incorporates a futuristic layout but is not overly modern like Tesla or Polestar. The cockpit features a small color cluster, an integrated HUD, and a large 15-inch touchscreen accompanied by sleek AC vents.
The interior features touch controls that can be accessed via the touchscreen (just like a Tesla's), except for a few found on the steering and doors. The highly-advanced climate control system supports voice control and comes with a feature called "Smart Air Vents" for directing hot and cold air on all parts of the body efficiently.