The Volkswagen ID.7 was one of the most interesting novelties in the automotive sector during CES 2023. The electric sedan, which hits the market in 2023, is the newest member of the zero-emission car family of the German automaker, already well structured with models such as ID.3 and ID.4, practically confirmed for Brazil.
During his participation in the event, with presentations and explanations from the executives, it was very clear that the VW ID.7 will be different from the other electric cars in the ID family — which still have the ID.Buzz, the ID.5 and the ID.6 (only in China) — with an attempt to get even closer to a more select audience that seeks premium options.
And, for that, it tried to fill the sedan with a lot of technology and luxury appeals that are not usual for the brand’s cars. We will still know all the attributes of ID.7. such as its engine, safety package and versions, but the size and market intention make it clear that the spiritual successor of the VW Passat has enormous potential.
Are you really going to replace the Passat?
The automotive market is less and less sedans and full of SUVs. During the ID.7 announcement, held at a preview presentation in Los Angeles, Volkswagen revealed that, initially, only three markets should receive the electric sedan: Europe, China and the United States.
Then, in a chat with the global CEO of the passenger car brand, Thomas Schäfer, we discovered that, initially, the European country that would receive the car is, for the time being, only Turkey, due to the strong demand for three-volume cars. .
If the trend is followed and all Volkswagen models really become electric, it is quite possible that the ID.7 will take the place of the historic German sedan, one of the most beloved by enthusiasts of all time. Size, for that, it has, since they are almost 5m long and wheelbase of 2.97m.
But, in addition to its size, the ID.7 will need to win over customers with equipment and good performance. Currently, almost all models in the ID line share the same powertrains, differing only in their respective autonomies and traction options. The most used engine delivers 204hp of power and 31.6 kgf/m of torque. We understand that, for a sedan of this size and proposal, more will be needed – and Volks knows.
And how does Volkswagen know? Because it tried to reveal the range of the sedan: 700km on the WLTP cycle, the greatest among all the electric cars in the group, including Porsche, Audi and the like. Therefore, we expect here, at least, the engine used in the performance version of the VW ID.5 and ID.Buzz, with the nomenclature GTX, which delivers 300hp of power and 46.9 kgf/m of torque.
In terms of equipment, Volkswagen should fill it with the best in its active and passive safety portfolio, in addition to infotainment.
Let’s hope for innovation
Between confirmations and secrets, we can say that the Volkswagen ID.7 may be the brand’s most technological car in the world. During CES 2023, we only saw a prototype, but concepts can often advance what companies intend to add to the final project and, at least with the sedan, everything seems very plausible.
Starting with what is no secret, the interior of the VW ID.7 was designed to bring very peculiar solutions, such as the new intelligent air conditioning system, which adapts to the sun and its positioning on the seats to send the coldest wind and refresh the environment.
This system is activated as soon as the driver enters the vehicle and can be controlled in order to spread the intensity of the air through the huge screen of the multimedia center. There are outlets all over the panel and the air flow is directed directly at the person or simply to the environment as a whole.
In addition, voice commands can be issued so that other car functions are performed, such as changing a song or even choosing driving modes, something that, as with the VW ID.4, for example, must be present in the sedan to help with energy efficiency.
Another novelty revealed by Volkswagen was the new head up display with augmented reality, which will display vehicle information and put functions into action on the windshield during the trip, such as the GPS path and direction alerts.
painting with electroluminescence
Something that drew attention during CES 2023 was precisely the ID.7 prototype that was on display at the event. This unit was equipped with a special painting that had its own light, controlled by different parts of the vehicle and displaying the many colors available on the sedan at that time.
According to Volkswagen, 40 layers of painting were carried out, and they are interspersed between parts with electric lighting and insulation, for safety reasons. The automaker explains that this technology can be inserted in cars in the future, but without explaining how it would be in practice.
Will the Volkswagen ID.7 come to Brazil?
According to Thomas Schäfer, Alexander Seitz, current CEO of Volkswagen do Brasil, is already asking for the ID.7 for our market. But, of course, there are many obstacles to this being realized. The company has already confirmed that its electric offensive in Brazil will start in 2023, quite possibly with the VW ID.4. But the coming of the sedan is not ruled out. We explain.
The electric car market in Brazil is still small, but it has potential, especially for higher value-added models. Depending on the success of ID.4, which has predicates to do well here, it is quite possible that some ID.7 units may come, especially if the division of versions is well thought out.
With production confirmed for China and the factory in Chattanooga, USA, everything is even more plausible.
Our guess: it will come.
