The next entry in VW’s ID-badged electric car lineup is a sleek saloon to rival the Tesla Model 3
- Maximum range of 435 miles
- All-new 15-inch infotainment
- Full reveal due later in 2023
Volkswagen has revealed the next model in its all-electric ID. lineup will be a swooping saloon to rival the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6. Dubbed the Volkswagen ID.7, this new model will sit alongside the petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid Arteon in the brand’s range and is set to be fully revealed later this year.
While Volkswagen is yet to show the ID.7 without heavy camouflage, we know its design will be very close to the ID. Aero concept car that made its debut in 2022. Just like that car, it will have an aerodynamic teardrop shape to maximise efficiency. However, to tie it in with the rest of the ID. lineup, the ID.7 will get the sub-brand’s characteristic front-end design. First seen on the Volkswagen ID.3 hatchback, this consists of a pinhole grille at the bottom of the bumper and a set of slim LED headlights that stretch towards the brand’s central logo.
Although the colourful wrap covers this up, we expect the ID.7 to wear an intricate full-width light bar at the rear, similar to that on Audi’s latest A6 e-tron concept. However, at this stage it is unclear whether the new car will have a separate boot compartment like a traditional saloon, or a hatchback tailgate, similar to that seen on the Polestar 2.
What has gone unhidden, however, is a set of flush door handles which are designed to make the ID.7 as slippery as possible. Like all ID models, the ID.7 will also sit on a set of aerodynamic alloy wheels, potentially ranging in size up to 22 inches in diameter.
Volkswagen has confirmed the ID.7 will debut its next generation of interior design for all-electric models. This will incorporate a larger 15-inch screen (current ID-badged models make do with a 12-inch display) while the controversial touch-sensitive climate controls will be backlit to aid operation in the dark – something that is also said to be coming to the Volkswagen ID.3 when it is facelifted in 2023.
Measuring 4.94 metres long, the ID.7 is significantly longer than its main rival, the Tesla Model 3; it is, in fact, closer in size to the larger Tesla Model S. This added length shall come as a benefit, however, as it will allow Volkswagen to fit a larger battery. The German brand has stated that it is targeting a 435-mile range for the ID.7 – something that would put it way ahead of rivals in this regard. However, at this stage, it’s unclear whether this would be utilising VW’s current largest battery (measuring 77kWh in usable capacity) or if the ID.7 would debut with an even larger unit.
Fast charging is likely to be a standard feature, too. Thanks in part to VW’s new MEB underpinnings, the ID.7 could be capable of charging speeds of up to 200kW; this would allow for a 10-80% top up in just half an hour when connected to a compatible public charger.
We predict the ID.7 will share the majority of its powertrain lineup with the ID.4 and ID.5. Entry-level cars could use a single, rear-mounted electric motor setup that produces 172bhp, whereas mid-level cars could benefit from an increased 201bhp.
In late 2019, Volkswagen unveiled the ID. Space Vizzion concept, which gives us an idea of what an estate version of the ID.7 could look like. It also reveals what we can expect from a high-performance GTX model; the concept uses a dual-motor electric powertrain producing 335bhp. This should allow for a 0-62mph time of around five seconds, thanks to all-wheel-drive grip.
Volkswagen remains tight-lipped about when we can expect a full reveal of the ID.7, although the brand has previously stated that it will go on sale in China in the latter half of 2023, before it arrives in the European market. Although there has been very little information surrounding pricing, we expect the ID.7 to start from around £50,000 – making it slightly more affordable than the equivalent BMW i4.
Keyword: Volkswagen ID.7 to rival Tesla with 435-mile range