Volkswagen on Monday presented the next salvo in its EV onslaught in the form of the ID.7, a mid-size hatch that will fill in for the Passat in the U.S. when it finally goes on sale here in 2024.. The ID.7's lines have been toned down slightly compared to the concept, though it remains attractive thanks to a coupe-like profile and typical ID styling cues, including headlights with matrix LED technology.
The car is based on Volkswagen Group's MEB platform designed for mainstream EVs, and measures 195.3 inches long and with a wheelbase of 116.9 inches, making it close in size to the Tesla Model S. That long-wheelbase has enabled VW to fit its biggest battery yet to an MEB-based vehicle, in this case an 86-kwh unit with 200 kw of charging capacity. The standard unit is a 77-kwh unit with 170 kw of charging capacity, which is expected to be the sole battery offered in the U.S.
Even with the smaller battery, range is still expected to top 350 miles when measured by the EPA, according to VW. That's thanks in part to a slippery shape whose coefficient of drag is a low 0.23.When it comes to charging, a thermal management system preconditions the battery before a charging stop. This preconditioning starts automatically on the way to the charging station when the location is selected via the navigation.
Just the one powertrain configuration has been announced. It consists of a single motor at the rear axle rated at 282 hp. The motor is aVolkswagen ID.7 VW describes the ID.7 as the flagship of its ID family of EVs, and in keeping with this positioning the automaker has packed the sedan with top-shelf cabin technology. Standard features will include a panoramic sunroof with auto dimming, an augmented reality head-up display, a 15-inch touchscreen for infotainment, and a climate-control system that can direct air at an occupant or spatially to cover the cabin.
'The standard unit is a 77-kwh unit with 170 kw of charging capacity, which is expected to be the sole battery offered in the U.S.' Do they even want this car to succeed in the US? lol