On the occasion of CES 2023 in Las Vegas, Volkswagen lifted the veil on the ID.7. This brand new electric sedan will be launched in Europe, China and also in the United States. And as much to say that it promises to be a competitor of choice against the Tesla Model 3.
In October 2022, Volkswagen confirmed its ambitions in the electric market. Indeed, the German manufacturer intends to launch no less than 10 new electric models by 2026. The idea being to position itself in all possible sectors, and not just SUVs and city cars.
A few months ago, VW lifted the lid on the ID Aero. This concept car was designed to give us a taste of the ID.7, the brand’s very first electric sedan. However, the wait has just come to an end since Volkswagen took advantage of CES 2023 in Las Vegas to formalize the existence of the ID.7. “With the new ID.7, we are extending our range of electric models to the upper segments. The sedan will offer class-leading technology and quality,” said Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer in a statement.
Volkswagen finally presents the ID.7, its first electric sedan
Even if we will have to wait until the spring of 2023 for a proper presentation, the electric sedan was therefore unveiled at the show in a camouflaged pre-series specimen. The idea being to hide the key elements of the design, while giving a first glimpse of the line of the car. As said above, the ID.7 is based on the ID Aero conceptand like him, it will be based on the MEB platform of the Volkswagen group. It is she who is already found on the ID. 4 or even on the ID. Buzz, the reissue of the brand’s famous electric combi.
From what we know so far, the ID. 7 should approach 5 meters in length. Only the wheelbase has been confirmed by VM, namely 2.97 meters. Enough to promise a generous interior. According to Volkswagen, the design was designed to reduce drag and provide better aerodynamics. The objective is obviously to improve energy consumption. “The air intakes located at the front guide the air passing through them along the sides of the vehicle to the rear, forming an air curtain that calms the airflow on the sides of the vehicle. The roof features a dramatic coupé-like slope towards the rear and thus contributes to the very good drag coefficient”. explains Volkswagen.
An interior very faithful to the ID spirit
Then, what does the interior of the sedan have in store for us? As we can see in the images shared by the manufacturer, we find a configuration similar to that of the previous series IDs. The large 15″ infotainment screen throne on the central part, and it is here that we will find almost all the controls, with the exception of the few physical buttons present on the steering wheel. Moreover, and in order to avoid the driver having to go through innumerable menus on the touch screen, the ID. 7 will give pride of place to voice commands.
Thus, it will be possible to manage the air conditioning by voice, just like the heating. For example, all you have to do is say “ID, my hands are cold” for the steering wheel heating to start automatically. But that’s not all, since the car will be able to detect the arrival of the driver thanks to the key. In this way, the vehicle will be able to start the air conditioning or the heating depending on the season to provide a passenger compartment at the right temperature.
For the rest of the technical characteristics of the ID. 7, unfortunately we will have to wait until spring 2023. Anyway, the electric sedan is expected in 2024 in Europe, in China but also in the American market. Casually, if Volkswagen offers the ID.7 under the $50,000 mark, it will be the first “affordable” electric sedan available on the US market since the release of the Tesla Model 3 in 2017.
Source : The Verge
