2023 Volkswagen ID.7 wants to compete with Tesla Model 3

This VW prototype, disguised in colorful and glowing camouflage is attending the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and provides a sneak peek at the all-new Volkswagen ID.7. Previously known as the Aero B concept vehicle, it will initially be introduced as a five-door liftback and will later be released as an estate.

The ID.7 was previously referred to as the Aero due to its highly aerodynamic shape, and it is expected that the final production version will have a drag coefficient of no more than 0.23.

The ID.7 is the sixth model to be added to the ID lineup and will initially be sold alongside the Volkswagen Arteon and the Volkswagen Passat (which will only be available as an estate in the next generation). In the future, the ID.7 is expected to become VW's sole offering in the shrinking D-segment market in Europe. Once the company transitions to electric vehicles, no more versions of the Arteon or Passat will be produced.

The Volkswagen ID.7 is 4,940 millimeters long, 1,859 millimeters wide, and 1,529 millimeters tall. Its wheelbase of 2,969 millimeters is the same as the Volkswagen ID Buzz, making the ID.7 significantly longer than either the Passat or the Arteon.

The prototype ID.7 vehicle on display at CES is sporting its final production bodywork, but it is covered in a distinctive camouflage pattern inspired by QR codes to conceal its actual design. The official reveal of the ID.7 is planned for the second quarter of 2023, with sales expected to begin later that year.

The camouflage on the ID.7 prototype is called Electroluminescent and is made up of 40 layers of paint. When an electric current is applied, it causes the car's 22 different parts to display their own unique light patterns.

Volkswagen confirmed the ID.7 will offer a range of up to 700km (435 miles) on certain models. At launch, the ID.7 will be equipped with the company's most powerful battery pack with a capacity of 77 kWh.

The ID.7 will initially be available with two-wheel drive, but Volkswagen plans to release a GTX model with four-wheel drive at some point in the future. This will put its powertrain options on par with those of rival vehicles such as the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2, and Hyundai Ioniq 6.

There have been significant improvements to the interior of the ID.7 compared to earlier ID models. The infotainment system has been redesigned to include temperature settings on the main screen of the 15-inch touchscreen - no more frantic swiping through countless screens on a freezing cold morning.

Additionally, the physical temperature slider bar below the screen is now illuminated to make it easy to use even in low light conditions - sounds obvious but until now it actually wasn’t available.

The ID.7 also features intelligent air vents that will start heating or cooling the interior when they detect the driver approaching the car, and they can also warm the steering wheel as needed. A heads-up display for augmented reality is included as standard equipment.

In addition to the Volkswagen ID.4, the ID.7 will be produced at VW's Emden facility in Germany and will then be exported to all countries (apart from China) from there. Volkswagen established two joint ventures in China to manufacture vehicles specifically for that market.

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