Volkswagen ID.7: new electric Passat successor revealed

Volkswagen has lifted a little more of the “veil” covering the new ID.7, which will take over from the Passat saloon as an exclusively electric model and will go up against cars such as the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai IONIQ 6.

The German manufacturer previewed it six months ago with the ID. Aero concept, but has now revealed the production version, albeit beneath an… electroluminescent camouflage wrap.

Although the camouflage - which can generate a variety of light and colour effects - still conceals the ID.7’s styling, it is clear that the new model follows the design language established by the “ID family” models.

Interior revealed in full

While Volkswagen chose sophisticated, even spectacular, camouflage for the exterior, it has taken the opposite approach inside and has already shown everything there is to see.

The main themes are familiar from Volkswagen’s other electric models: minimal physical controls, a larger central display and a smaller screen in place of a conventional instrument cluster. However, the progress is clear to see.

For instance, the central screen measures 15” - the largest ever fitted to a Volkswagen ID - while the instrument display is integrated into the dashboard rather than positioned above the steering wheel. The latter still features the haptic controls that Volkswagen has promised to “revamp” shortly.

Volkswagen also highlights the “Smart Air Vents” system. According to the German brand, it can identify the driver via the key and begins setting the cabin temperature before the driver gets in.

At the same time, the climate control system can be operated by voice command and can automatically direct airflow around the cabin or straight towards the occupants.

Volkswagen ID.7 dimensions and figures

Volkswagen has also used this opportunity to disclose the first figures for its electric saloon. As expected, the ID.7 will use the MEB platform and measures 4940 mm long, 1859 mm wide and 1529 mm high, with a 2969 mm wheelbase - identical to that of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz.

That makes the ID.7 considerably larger than the Passat saloon (4775 mm), and even longer than the sleeker Arteon (4866 mm long). It also exceeds electric rivals including the Model 3 (4694 mm) and IONIQ 6 (4855 mm), something that should be reflected in the available interior space.

For now, Volkswagen has not disclosed further technical specifications, stating only that the ID.7 will offer a range of up to 700 km.

Given that the ID. Aero was presented with a battery rated at 77 kWh, there is a strong likelihood that the Volkswagen ID.7 will use a battery with the same capacity.

Despite the secrecy surrounding the final specifications, the new Volkswagen ID.7 is expected to be offered in rear-wheel-drive versions with a single electric motor, as well as four-wheel-drive variants using two motors, one at the front and one at the rear. One of these is expected to be the sporting GTX version.

When will the ID.7 arrive?

There is not long to wait until the final reveal of the new Volkswagen ID.7, with the German brand indicating that we will see it in the second quarter of this year.