New Volkswagen ID 7: is it a Tesla Model 3 beater?

The new Volkswagen ID 7 has been revealed, and will hit the road in Europe and China later this year as a sleek executive saloon with a range of up to 435 miles.

The German firm says that the aerodynamically honed saloon, which will launch in the USA in 2024, is designed to “electrify long-distance journeys”. It joins an increasing crowded field of electric executive saloons, including the Polestar 2, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Mercedes-Benz EQE, BMW i4 – and, of course, the Tesla Model 3.

So how will the ID 7 try to tempt buyers away from the Model 3? Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about the new car.

What is the Volkswagen ID 7?

The ID 7 is the new ‘flagship’ model of Volkswagen’s electric ID line-up, joining the (deep breath) ID 3 hatch, ID 4 SUV, ID 5 coupe-SUV, ID Buzz MPV and the China-only ID 6. As with all those models, it’s built on the VW Group’s MEB bespoke electric platform.

During development, the ID 7 was known within Volkswagen as the Aero B – and that name hints at the design focus on making it aerodynamically efficient to offer maximum range. It’s effectively a replacement for the Passat and Phaeton as upmarket VW saloons – just this time with electric power.

So how far can the ID 7 go?

The ID 7 will be offered in two forms: Pro and Pro S. The Pro models will feature a 77kWh net battery (82kWh gross), giving a range of up to 435 miles. Pro models can be charged at speeds of up to 170kW.

Pro S models will feature a new 86kWh net battery (91kWh gross), which gives that headline-grabbing top range of up to 700km. It can be charged at speeds of up to 200kW, which is considerably faster than any previous electric Volkswagen but still down on the to charging speed of the Ioniq 6. 

Notably, the bigger battery has a pre-conditioning option, so if you plug a charging station into the sat nav it will make sure the battery is at the perfect temperature for optimum charging on your arrival.

What about the powertrain?

So far, Volkswagen hasn’t released that much information about the powertrain. We do know that it will feature a new 210kW electric motor, and also features a new drive system (which means the motor, one-speed gearbox and inverter are all combined into one unit). But we don’t yet know anything about acceleration, top speed or so on.

As with other Volkswagen models, expect the ID 7 to be offered with a range of different powertrains, with single-motor rear-wheel-drive versions and more powerful twin-motor all-wheel-drive options.

How efficient is the aerodynamic styling?

The ID 7 is 4961mm long, with a stretched wheelbase of 2966mm. That’s partly to maximise the interior space, but also to allow for the most streamlined, slippery shape to cut through the air. Volkswagen claims a drag coefficient of 0.23, which is slightly less than the Hyundai Ioniq 6 but still impressive.

The sleek front end

The front of the car is where the emphasis on aerodynamics can be seen more clearly. While it has a family resemblance to other Volkswagen ID models, the ID 7 features a sculptured bonnet and side air intakes – which act as ‘air curtains’ – in the bumpers to optimise the airflow over and around the machine.

What’s going on at the rear?

The rear of the car is slightly less important for aerodynamics, and Volkswagen has styled it with a long horizontal light strip. While the strip is all-white as standard, when you brake the middle section turns red like a traditional brake light.

The goal of the interior design

Volkswagen has designed the interior to offer plenty of space for long-distance journeys – although it has yet to outline exact dimensions. It also hasn’t said how much space there is in the boot.

Why the driver display has shrunk

When you look at the dashboard of the ID 7, the instantly notable thing is how small the driver info display is. That’s because the machine is offered with an ‘augmented reality’ head-up display as standard, so much of the information that would normally be shown on a screen is now virtually projected through the windscreen and onto the road ahead.

How the AR head-up display works

The small driver display shows the key required info that needs to be on show at all times, with other information projected into the driver’s field of view. So information such as your current speed and the speed limit of the road you’re on is projected around 3.5 metres ahead of you, while things like navigation instructions are projected 10 metres or so ahead.
 

What other features are there?

The front seats are offered with a new climate control system, and allow for up to 14 electrical adjustments. They also have a seat massage function offered, too. Another option is a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

There’s also an upgraded touchscreen

The infotainment on Volkswagen’s ID models has often been a source of criticism, so the ID 7 is the first to get a new, upgraded version. It’s run through a big 15in touchscreen, and the system now included two permanently visible bars that give access to key functions.

The touch slider below the screen remains, but in another change from other ID models they’re now illuminated, making them much easier to use at night.

There’s also a super smart sunroof

The optional large panoramic sunroof is designed to maximise light into the car, and notably doesn’t feature a physical blind. Instead, the glass features Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) technology, which is basically a layer of embedded crystals that can be electronically controlled. That means when you operate the system the crystals in the PDLC layer arrange themselves to make the glass either opaque or clear.

What driver assistance systems are offered?

The ID 7 will feature Volkswagen’s Park Assist Pro function, which means you can perform a reversing move which the car then remembers and repeats on demand. There’s also a travel assist function which uses swarm data for extra precision and can control your speed when travelling along motorways. Volkswagen says the system will eventually offer assisted lane changing on multi-lane roads.

So when will the Volkswagen ID 7 go on sale?

The ID 7 will initially be built at Volkswagen’s plan in Emden, Germany. European sales will start this summer, with deliveries beginning in the autumn. It will also go on sale in China this year, before launching in North America in 2024. 

The ID 7 costs from £55,870 in the UK, with the inbound Pro S model set to command a slightly higher premium.