Volkswagen ID.7 Debuts as a Fastback EV Saloon with Up to 700 KM Range

This is it. Following months of camouflaged-draped previews and teasers, the Volkswagen ID.7 has finally made its global debut at the Auto Shanghai 2023. This fastback EV saloon will spearhead the marque’s next-gen EV line-up, due to arrive later this year in European and Chinese markets.

As VW’s latest flagship saloon, the ID.7 comes in two variants – Pro and Pro S. Both variants are propelled by the same rear-mounted APP550 electric motor that delivers up to 282 HP (210 kW) and 550 NM. Underpinning the marque’s proprietary MEB EV platform, the ID.7 Pro harnesses a 77-kWh (82-kWh gross) that provides an estimated travel range of 615 KM, while supporting 170 kW-rated DC fast charging.

For the range-topping ID.7 Pro S, the same APP550 drive unit is juiced by a larger 86-kWh (91-kWh gross) battery pack, offering up to 700 KM of maximum travel range. It also supports a higher rate of DC charging at 200 kW, instead of 170 kW in the standard variant.

Visually, the ID.7 posits itself as a fastback four-door saloon, thanks to the rakish rear windscreen that gives the car a drag coefficient rate of only 0.23. At the front, the ID.7 possesses the same design language as other VW ID models, featuring trapezoidal-shaped headlights, albeit with slimmer iterations. There’s also LED DRL bars that almost connect both headlights, only to be separated by the sizable VW emblem.

The car’s sporty slanting roofline is very visible from the side, apart from the 20-inch two-tone wheels it rides on, as well as the illuminated door handles. The two-tone theme continues on the ID.7’s roof, as it sports a dual-tone exterior colourway, with the roof part and the pillars all draped in gloss black.

At the rear, the ID.7 sports full-LED taillights with VW’s IQ.light technology, also featuring a width-span LED light bar. Thanks to its fastback roof design, the ID.7 actually somewhat mirrors its ICE saloon counterpart, the Arteon, albeit we think the latter is still the sportier choice among the two.

Now measuring 4,961 MM long, 1,862 MM wide, and a wheelbase of 2,966 MM, the ID.7 is about the same size as its upmarket German rival, the Mercedes-Benz EQE electric saloon.

On board, the ID.7 cabin oozes minimalism, primed with a bevy of tech equipment and modern amenities. Crowning above the front dash is a 15-inch floating infotainment display with voice command, built-in sat-nav system, as well as mobile connectivity (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay) are all supported.

Unfortunately, the VW’s 'controversial' haptic touch controls are still here, now with illumination for the volume and climate controls, as well as for the driver’s controls mounted on the steering wheel. 

Apart from that, drivers will also get a special head-up display (HUD) with an augmented reality (AR) functionality to go with the driver’s 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, only showing “legally-prescribed” information such as the speedometer and ADAS warnings.

The front seats are powered with up to 14-way adjustments, plus a Climatronic function that detects the temperature and moisture level to activate heating or cooling as needed. The ergoComfort seat massaging system utilises up to 10 air cushions in the backrest that provides pneumatic pressure point massage, while the optional ergoPremium seat adds two more air cushions for both the pelvis and spine.

Elsewhere, the ID.7 promises to bring the latest and most advanced tech VW can offer, including the high-tech climate control system with automated air vents that distribute air by using “dynamic movements”, enabled by “electronically controlled vertical and horizontal motors.” 

Topping off the tech amenities featured are the ambient lighting system, 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, as well as the optional panoramic sunroof with switchable opaque and transparent modes available.

Following its Auto Shanghai 2023 debut, the Volkswagen ID.7 EV saloon will commence production in the latter half of the year, taking place at the firm’s Emden plant in Germany. As for now, no pricing details were disclosed, with deliveries for the European and Chinese markets set to take place later in Fall this year, followed by North America and the rest of the world later in 2024.