Volkswagen has unveiled yet another member of its all-electric ID family in the form of the ID7 sedan.
Revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show, Volkswagen plans to launch the ID7 in China and Europe within the year, with North America the following year.
The ID7 has been ruled out for the Australia market
As a large electric sedan, the Volkswagen ID7 will likely face competition from the likes of the Tesla Model S, the Mercedes-Benz EQE, and the BMW i7.
But a release of the new flagship Volkswagen EV has been ruled out for Australia.
“At this point the ID.7 is not for our market as our focus will be on our electric SUV range,” said Daniel DeGasperi, Volkswagen’s local public relations manager.
The ID Buzz Pro will be the best people-moving EV offered by Volkswagen Australia
However, Degasperi hinted that there are additional Volkswagen EVs in the pipeline after the known slate of five models arrive in Australia.
“Volkswagen Australia is planning for several new electric vehicles to follow the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5. ID.Buzz and ID.Buzz Cargo,” he said.
Completely new electric motor
The ID7 is powered by the most efficient drive unit that the brand has used for its MEB dedicated electric vehicle platform so far.
It is aiming for a range of up to 700 km (WLTP) with the ID7 and believes that with the combination of the drive unit and the car’s aerodynamics, this will be possible.
The ID7 will launch in rear-wheel drive guise
Like the ID4 and ID5, the standard battery option in the ID7 will be the 77kWh (usable) unit, but a larger 86kWh (usable) battery as an option with the sedan.
With up to 700km of range, 86kWh battery-equipped models should be able to achieve an efficiency figure around the 12kWh/100km range.
With 210kW and 545Nm, the electric motor used in the ID7 is the most powerful ever fitted to a Volkswagen ID vehicle.
An 86kWh battery will be the biggest offered with the ID7
Volkswagen also adds that charging capabilities of up to 200kW will be expected from the ID7.
As standard, the ID7 will be offered in a single-motor, rear-wheel drive configuration. Dual-motor all-wheel drive variants are expected to launch at a later date.
ID family aesthetic, elongated
At specific measurement the ID7 is big by modern sedan standards, but the design language is inline with what we’ve seen across other vehicles in the ID range.
At the front, a large LED light strip connects the two headlights, and the same goes for the rear, where a large light stretches across the tailgate.
The long wheelbase maximises rear passenger leg room
The sloping roof is designed to maximise aerodynamic efficiency, with the ID7 sporting a drag coefficient of 0.23 Cd.
The ID7’s wheelbase is long at 2966 mm, and the overhangs are short allowing for maximum occupant space on the inside.
Simple interior compared to ICE models
On the inside, the ID7 is visually similar to the other ID vehicles. The cabin is simple, with all controls either on the steering wheel or housed within the 15-inch infotainment system.
A landscape-mounted screen sits beside the multifunction steering wheel
Behind the steering wheel is a minimalistic digital cluster, and above this sits an augmented reality head-up display.
The seats not only offer a massaging function, but the heating/cooling system has been improved with the addition of a drying system as well.
