Volkswagen Debuts Camo'd ID.7 Sedan at CES
Volkswagen is using the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas to take the wraps off the ID.7 sedan.
Well, kind of.
Instead of a full unveiling, the company will show the ID.7 but it will be under digital camouflage.
Apparently, this special camouflage will create "electroluminescent light effects." These lights can sync up to audio to create a show.
That's neat, but the big news here is that the ID.7 will use the same "modular electric drive matrix" (MEB) platform as the ID.4 crossover and be sold on three continents. The ID.7 was already previewed in China by the ID.Aero3 Concept. VW claims that the car is capable of up to 700 kilometers (about 434 miles) of EV range.
Although we already knew the ID.Aero was previewing a CES-bound concept, now we know the name and some more details.
“With the new ID.7, we are extending our electric model range into the upper segments. The sedan will offer top-class technology and quality. The ID.7 is one of 10 new electric models that we are planning to launch by 2026. Our goal? To deliver suitable products for our customers in every single segment,” said Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, in a statement.
Key features that VW is touting include a head-up display with augmented reality, a 15-inch screen, digitally controlled air vents, and illuminated touch sliders. The air conditioning can start up as the driver approaches the vehicle -- say to cool off a car that has been parked for a long time on a hot day or to heat the inside if it's cold out.
Another party trick: The air system can accommodate special requests. For example, if the driver says "Hey Volkswagen, my hands are cold" the system can activate the heated steering wheel and direct warm air at the driver's hands.
Style-wise, air vents in the front direct air along the side of the car, making for better aerodynamics. The wheelbase is 116.9 inches but the car has short overhangs.
Volkswagen says the car will launch in the second quarter -- and oh, hey, what's this? The New York Auto Show is planned to take place in the second quarter. Hmm. The car will be sold in China, Europe, and North America.
[Images: Volkswagen]
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Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.
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There is a haptic switch in front of the two window switches labeled "REAR" It has to be pressed to lower either of the rear window and then pressed again to work the front windows. IIRC there is a short cut that can be used to lower all four windows at one time. Main issue is that the haptic "REAR" button doesn't work very well or you bump it accidentally and can't lower the front window you're trying too. It is a huge pain.
Voice commands?! So edgy, so daring.
Me: Hey Volkswagen, did you put back some of the hard buttons that work instead of the shiny plastic, non-backlit haptic trash you've installed in all of your cars for the last few years?
VW: I don't understand your question.
Indeed you don't.