VW reveals the ID.7 at CES
At the CES in Las Vegas, VW has presented a preview of its upcoming all-electric luxury sedan in the form of a camouflaged near-production study, which now bears the designation ID.7. The premiere of the production model is scheduled just a few months away.
Volkswagen will premiere the production version in the second quarter of 2023. This will be the sixth model in the ID. Family and second global release electric car based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform after the ID.4. The ID.7 is to be launched in the three main markets of China, Europe and North America.
The sneak peek at the CES has not involved revealing any new information on the drive technology of the ID.7. Volkswagen merely repeats the already-familiar information that the efficient electric sedan will have a range of “up to approx. 700 kilometres” according to WLTP. The German carmaker has revealed the wheelbase of the new sedan, which, at 2.97 metres, is on par with the ID. Buzz (2.99 metres) and clearly above the wheelbase of the ID.4/ID.5 (2.77 metres). This should not only benefit the space and feeling of spaciousness in the interior but could also create the necessary installation space for a larger battery than the 77 kWh previously offered in MEB models, although this still has to be officially confirmed.
The “novelty” of the CES study is the camouflage which Volkswagen made into a show in itself. This is not the usual camouflage decal but a unique paint job that can make the ID.7 shine. Volkswagen says that 40 layers of paint were applied, explaining that some of these are sometimes conductive and sometimes insulating. No less than 22 separately controllable areas of the vehicle are electrified (electroluminescence) underneath the top layer of paint so that they glow. If the whole surface is coupled to a sound system, the rhythm becomes visible via the lighting up of individual areas. Quite a display.
Although this variable camouflage pattern is still meant to conceal the contours of the later production vehicle, some conclusions can nevertheless be drawn from the press images that have now been released. With the LED graphics of the front headlights, VW seems to deviate somewhat from the previous look of the ID. models. The rest of the front section seems to be kept relatively clean to improve aerodynamics. The focus on airflow is also evident in the side view where the roof extends in a curved line from the A-pillar to the rear. Volkswagen designers have dispensed with transitions and angles between the roof and the front and rear windscreens, which would create turbulence.
A side effect of the roof line is that headroom should also be pleasant in the second row of seats. Since the rear window extends far into the boot area, the load compartment – presumably a hatchback – should be higher and more usable than in a notchback saloon.
To cater to the CES audience at the Las Vegas tech show, Volkswagen has focused on the interior concept or user experience in the ID.7, which it says has been improved in response to customer feedback on previous ID. models. The ID.7 will feature a new display concept with a 15-inch screen as standard, new climate control controls integrated into the first level of the infotainment system and the long-requested illuminated touch sliders. The augmented reality head-up display is also to be standard in the ID.7.
“With the new ID.7, we are extending our electric model range into the upper segments. The sedan will offer top-class technology and quality. The ID.7 is one of ten new electric models that we are planning to launch by 2026,” says Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, explaining that the carmaker’s goal is to have the right offer for its customers in every segment.
In June 2022, VW gave a preview of the series model under the name ID. Aero that had been developed specifically for the Chinese market. The VW ID.7 for the European market will be produced at the Emden plant. The ID.4 is already coming off the production line there on the basis of the MEB.
