Volkswagen’s lineup of battery-electric autos is lastly going to develop — and quick. The newest is the VW ID.7 sedan, simply unveiled at CES.
Covered in “digital camouflage,” Volkswagen rolled out the subsequent entry in its all-electric lineup, the ID.7 sedan, making its debut on the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. It’s a part of a rising lineup that additionally will embody the ID. Buzz, the battery-electric reply to VW’s basic microbus.
While initially sluggish to the EV occasion, Volkswagen is making a high-powered push into electrification, planning to speculate over $100 billion in battery-powered autos this decade. It’s already launched a number of fashions, although U.S. patrons solely have entry to the unique ID.4 crossover.
That’s about to vary, with VW getting ready to broaden its American choices. Both a long-wheelbase model of the ID. Buzz microbus and the brand new ID.7 sedan are headed to our shores.
While the general public should wait a number of months to get a have a look at an undisguised model of the four-door EV, guests to CES are getting a sneak peek at a model utilizing what the automaker describes as “digital camouflage,” which creates an electroluminescent mild impact.
VW Plugs In
Volkswagen was sluggish to embrace battery energy, preferring to stay with the diesel engines that lengthy dominated its autos. That technique was deserted when the automaker was discovered to be rigging emissions checks for its oil-burner fashions. It has since laid out plans to speculate over $100 billion to go electrical, with a handful of EVs now filling its world showrooms.
U.S. patrons have had a comparatively sparse lineup to select from, nevertheless, simply variants of the midsize ID.4 crossover. But the all-electric household is about to develop, with a long-wheelbase ID. Buzz microbus scheduled to reach this yr, adopted by the ID.7 sedan.
“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,” mentioned Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars.
“The ID.7 is one of 10 new electric models that we are planning to launch by 2026. Our goal? To deliver suitable products for our customers in every single segment.”
From Aero to ID.7
The four-door was first teased final yr within the type of the ID. Aero Concept, unveiled in China. The ID.7 making its debut at CES this week doesn’t stray from the present automobile’s fundamental design, with a low, sloping nostril flowing right into a coupe-like roofline.
As has turn into the norm with immediately’s EVs, aerodynamics performs a essential position, serving to engineers maximize vary. A strong fascia replaces the normal grille, framed right here with slit-like lamps that wrap into ID.7’s entrance fenders. A lightbar hyperlinks the dual lamps, operating throughout the sealed grille. VW designers took an identical method in again, a lightbar linking the left and proper taillights.
The ID. Aero idea had a particularly clear 0.23 coefficient of drag, and if the manufacturing sedan comes shut, it will turn into one of the wind-slippery autos on the street.
VW is holding everybody guessing in regards to the last exterior design particulars. But with a proper, undisguised reveal scheduled for late winter, we gained’t have to attend lengthy. While the sedan on show in Las Vegas is near the ultimate manufacturing design, it’s coated in what will be the most uncommon “camouflage” any automaker has but turned to.
A Thin Disguise
Rather than utilizing fabric or a wrap, VW has utilized 40 layers of a particular, electroluminescent paint and may mild up 22 separate areas independently. They even might be synced to music.
Several massive QR codes on the ID.7 prototype will let viewers discover out extra in regards to the subsequent all-electric mannequin in Volkswagen’s ID household.
Updated ‘Smart’ Interior
Volkswagen’s authentic ID.4 mannequin had a decidedly high-tech cabin — maybe too high-tech for some customers who struggled to function all of the options managed by the crossover’s touchscreen.
The automaker says it has “responded to customer feedback” with a number of updates. There are actually extra typical controls inside the driver’s attain. And the infotainment system’s consumer interface has been up to date.
But the ID.7 hasn’t gone low-tech. The digital gauge cluster has been repositioned to make it simpler to learn. The touchscreen seems bigger — although VW hasn’t launched particular particulars.
There’s additionally a brand new augmented-reality heads-up show that may mission arrows that seemingly float in entrance of the car to make it simpler to see the place to make a flip.
The local weather management system introduces new “smart” air vents that may direct air onto particular person occupants, movement it into the cabin, or swing backwards and forwards like a desk fan. The system can also detect the angle of the solar and alter the heating or cooling system accordingly.
A driver also can use the brand new voice assistant to regulate the local weather system. They can, for instance, say, “Hello, Volkswagen, my hands are cold,” and the system will mechanically activate the steering wheel heater and direct heat air at their palms.
Shared Platform
ID.7’s wheelbase is available in at 116.9 inches. VW hasn’t revealed different dimensions. It will probably be positioned because the all-electric different to the automaker’s acquainted Passat sedan.
The ID.7 prototype — and the manufacturing mannequin to comply with — shares the identical underpinnings because the ID.4, Volkswagen’s versatile, skateboard-like MEB “architecture.” The platform locations the battery pack and motors below the load ground and interprets right into a compact footprint with a midsize cabin.
Powertrain
This is one other element we probably gained’t know till the total ID.7 reveal, however European sources have indicated that the sedan will comply with the method taken with the ID.4 crossover — with a alternative of a single-motor rear-wheel-drive bundle or a twin-motor all-wheel-drive system.
VW has been working to improve its lithium-ion battery expertise and should enhance the scale of the extended-range pack in ID.7. Depending in the marketplace, it’s anticipated to comply with the method taken with the ID.4, providing each 62kWh and 84kWh packs.
Tech chief Schäfer beforehand mentioned that the ID.7 will ship as much as 700 km, or about 435 miles, of vary. That is, nevertheless, based mostly on the European WLTP commonplace. Typically, the numbers drop by as a lot as 25% when utilizing the extra inflexible EPA take a look at cycle.
Charging is anticipated to be faster than with the ID.4, although VW has but to launch particulars right here as nicely. The system could have a built-in 22kW AC charger and have the ability to draw as much as 170 kW from a DC fast charger.
VW ID.7 Launch Plans & Beyond
VW needs to construct buzz for the ID.7 with a primary reveal at CES and a extra full unveiling by the top of the primary quarter.
The automaker will comply with its acquainted sample when placing the electrical sedan into manufacturing. It’s anticipated to succeed in showrooms in China — the world’s largest EV market — someday in the course of the second half of this yr, with European and North American sellers starting to take supply by late within the yr as a 2024 mannequin.
We’ll even have to attend for pricing particulars, although a number of sources have indicated the 2024 Volkswagen ID.7 ought to begin someplace within the low $50,000 vary within the U.S.