The name of the all-electric VW sedan was arguably one of the worst-kept secrets in the automotive industry over the last year. Even though the sparrows were already whistling from the roofs of Wolfsburg that the Stromer would be called the ID.7, those responsible at VW insisted on calling the vehicle the Aero B. That’s history now and VW is presenting the ID.7 study at CES. However, still wrapped.
What is special about this prototype is that the camouflage consists of 40 layers, which alternately conduct or insulate electricity. In order for the electroluminescence to work, 22 individually controllable areas below the top layer of paint are energized and then begin to glow. Matching the performance in Las Vegas, a show effect is also part of the performance. If you couple the power supply with a sound system, the ID.7 turns into a rolling light organ.
As entertaining as the play of colors may be, it is worth taking a look under the cover of the ID.7. The original name of the study Aero B helps here. Under the camouflage film, streamlined, round shapes reminiscent of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 stand out. A rear spoiler also optimizes the flow on the VW. VW is not revealing the drag coefficient yet. If you take that of the Ioniq 6 of 0.21 as a benchmark, the drag coefficient of the ID.7 should be in this region. This is also necessary, because VW specifies a maximum range of around 700 kilometers (WLTP).
Since the current version of VW’s electrical architecture MEB is not able to generate such ranges, the ID.7 is based on the improved e-platform MEB, which closes the gap until VW introduces Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) in 2026. To ensure that the electric vehicles from Wolfsburg remain competitive, a range of around 700 kilometers is at the top of the specification for this update. In addition, despite the 400-volt technology, the peak charging speed should increase to more than 200 kW. Thanks to the larger battery capacity, VW also releases more power from the electric motors. With all-wheel drive, the ID.7 will sprint from zero to 100 km/h in around 5.5 seconds. In the exuberant power race of the Stromer this is not a top value, but still.
After the ID.4, the VW ID.7 is the next “world car” from the Lower Saxony car manufacturer, which will be launched in the USA, Europe and China from the middle of this year. The e-sedan fully exploits the dimensions of the MEB, is around five meters long and has a wheelbase of 2.97 meters. A lot is also happening in infotainment and the cockpit. The VW managers have already recognized that the plastic landscape of the ID.3 is not a benchmark and have improved it in the facelift.
The ID.7 goes one step further: The head-up display with augmented reality is supplemented by a 15-inch (38 centimeter) central touchscreen. But what is even more important is that VW responds to customer complaints and simplifies operation. The air conditioning can be adjusted directly without having to navigate through menus. In addition, the automatic air conditioning has become more intelligent: If the system recognizes from the key that the driver is approaching the car, it proactively starts to cool the interior on hot days or to warm up the passenger cell during the cold season. Specially manufactured air outlets control the air flow by waving it in such a way that it reaches all areas of the interior as quickly as possible.
With the VW ID.7, voice control plays a greater role than before. But why the Lower Saxony car manufacturer is sticking to the touch sliders remains their secret for the time being. That these are now illuminated. Increases the ease of use only slightly when driving on bad roads.
