Making new sedans sexy to consumers is proving to be an increasingly heavy lift, so Volkswagen has settled on ensuring that the debut of its upcoming electric sedan at CES is "lit" — albeit temporarily — while giving the car a new name to go along with its camouflage scheme.
The German brand has renamed what had been known as the ID Aero as the ID7. The roughly Passat-sized sedan will go on sale next year with what is expected to be VW's best range from its growing family of battery-electric vehicles.
The vehicle on display at the 2023 CES is a production-intent version. The production version will debut at the SHanghai auto show in April.
It is expected to be rated at around 700 km (435 miles) of range in Europe under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure tests. Range figures for U.S. versions have not been released.
VW said the ID7 will have a 15-inch infotainment screen incorporating a "new display concept," along with digitally controlled automated air vents and an intelligent HVAC system that can detect an approaching driver with their key and begin to pre-cool or pre-heat the cabin as needed.
PHOTO GALLERY: VW ID7
The vents then move to best cool the cabin as directed, aiming air straight at passengers or elsewhere. They also respond to voice commands, VW said. So if the driver tells the vehicle their hands are cold, the ID7 not only heats the steering wheel, but directs heated air at the driver's hands.
To draw attention amid the glitz of Las Vegas and CES, VW has created a camouflage scheme for the ID7 that uses conductive and insulating paint layers to make different regions of the vehicle light up on demand.
The electroluminescent paint and wiring, which add about 32 kg (70 pounds) to the display vehicle, required 40 layers of paint, engineers told Automotive News prior to the Los Angeles auto show in November.
The ID7 body is split into 22 zones that can be lit or unlit individually, allowing for a rolling light show. Additionally, QR codes embedded into the camouflage direct users to a website providing more information about the ID7.
The EV's short overhangs and a 2970-mm wheelbase give it an interior that has significantly more space than the Passat.
VW did not disclose drivetrain options for the ID7 ahead of its full reveal that is expected in March. It is likely to be offered with single-motor rear- and dual-motor all-wheel drive.
A station wagon version is planned for European markets.
The ID7 sedan will be the sixth member of VW's all-electric family. Like other ID models, it's based on VW Group's MEB electric-only architecture.
VW Group brands including Audi, Skoda and Cupra have delivered 500,000 vehicles based on the MEB.
The ID7's main markets will be China, Europe and North America, VW said. The ID7 for the European and U.S. markets will be built at VW's Emden plant in Germany, joining the ID4, which is produced there.
