VW’s ID.7 previewed at Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas
The firm’s answer to the Tesla Model 3 will deliver a claimed range of 435 miles when it goes on sale later this year
Volkswagen (VW) has previewed its first fully-electric saloon, the ID. 7 at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
It comes ahead of plans to launch an estate version at some point in the future.
Teased in a “digital camouflage” guise for now, it is the sixth model to be launched in the company’s all-electric ID. range, and will replace the Arteon and Passat models as the firm’s only D-segment offering.
It is based on VW’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB) platform, and is 4940mm long, 1859mm wide and has a wheelbase of 2969mm - making it longer than its Arteon and Passat predecessors.
VW has not yet released many technical details about the ID. 7, but it has confirmed that a larger battery model will deliver a claimed WLTP range of 435 miles. Initially, the ID. 7 will come with the existing largest 77kWh pack in the ID. range.
To begin with, the ID. 7 will only be available in two-wheel drive, but a four-wheel drive GTX model is set to be released at a later date. This will give the ID. 7 a powertrain lineup similar to that of its main competitors, including the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2 and Hyundai IONIQ 6.
The ID. 7 is expected to have a drag coefficient as low as 0.23, thanks to its super-slippery aerodynamic shape.
Inside, the ID. 7 has a number of notable improvements over previous ID. models, including an overhauled infotainment system with temperature controls on the main homepage of the 15-inch touchscreen, and an illuminated physical temperature slider bar.
The ID. 7 also has smart air vents that begin to cool or heat the car when it detects the keyholder is nearby, and can also heat the steering wheel as needed.
An augmented reality head-up display is also standard on the ID. 7.
It is one of 10 new electric models that Volkswagen plans to launch by 2026, and will be fully revealed in the second quarter of 2023. It will go on sale later in the year, though pricing remains unconfirmed.