Volkswagen Reveals ID.7 Sedan at CES 2023

Volkswagen unveils its upcoming ID.7 as a camouflaged prototype at CES 2023 in Las Vegas, claiming it is capable of delivering a 435-mile (700-km) range in its most efficient form on the WLTP test procedure used in Europe.

Previewed by the earlier ID. Aero concept car, the electric-powered liftback-style sedan goes on sale in North America in 2024. A formal unveiling for the definitive production version of the midsize ID.7 is slated for March 2023.

As with the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.6 and ID. Buzz, the sixth ID. model is based on Volkswagen’s MEB (Modular Electric Drive Matrix) platform, which was recently confirmed to undergo an upgrade to extend its life beyond that planned by previous VW management.

The exterior styling draws heavily on the ID. Aero concept with only subtle changes to the design of the front bumper evident on the prototype, which wears a digital camouflage livery developed for its unveiling consisting of LEDs embedded in the paint to allow it to light up.

A fully enclosed front end, smooth surfacing and heavily angled rear window with a large liftback tailgate are claimed to provide the 4-door model with a drag coefficient of 0.24.

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At 194.5 ins. (4,940 mm) long, 73.2 ins. (1,859 mm) wide and 60.2 ins. (1,529 mm) tall, VW’s electric sedan is 3.4 ins. (86 mm) longer, 0.8 in. (20 mm) narrower and 1.3 ins. (33 mm) taller than the recently unveiled Hyundai Ioniq 6. It also rides on a wheelbase that is 0.8 in. longer than the new Hyundai model at 116.9 ins. (2,969 mm).

Compared with the existing internal-combustion-engine Passat sold in the U.S., it is 6.8 ins. (173 mm) longer, less than an inch wider and 2.9 ins. (74 mm) taller.

The packaging advantages provided by the MEB platform are claimed to provide the sedan with “significantly more” interior accommodation than the Passat, which the ID.7 is expected to eventually replace in the overall VW lineup.

Together with the sedan model revealed in prototype form in Las Vegas, the German automaker is also developing a wagon variant of the ID.7, though it is not expected to be sold in the U.S.

VW is yet to reveal the drivetrain options for its first electric sedan. Officials confirm it will be sold in both single-motor rear- and dual-motor all-wheel drive, in line with the ID.4, ID.5, ID.6 and ID. Buzz. However, power outputs and performance figures are not planned to be made official until the production version is unveiled later this year.

Although not yet confirmed, the ID.7 is likely to follow the example of other ID. models by offering buyers the choice of a 52-kWh and 77-kWh battery – the latter of which is said to provide it with the claimed 435-mile WLTP range in combination with a rear-mounted electric motor.

During its debut in Korea earlier this year, Hyundai quoted a range of 382 miles (615 km) for the Ioniq 6.

DC charging capability at up to 170kW as well as bi-directional charging is also expected from the outset of ID.7 sales.

Volkswagen says the ID.7 will be sold on three continents – North America, Europe and Asia. Production of the new model initially will take place at Volkswagen’s Emden factory in Germany, where early pilot production examples of the electric sedan already are undergoing assembly alongside the production version of the ID.4.

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