Making new sedans sexy to consumers is proving to be an increasingly heavy lift in the U.S., so Volkswagen settled on ensuring that the debut of its upcoming electric sedan at CES is “lit” — albeit temporarily — while giving the car a new name and a unique camouflage scheme.
The German brand has renamed what had been known as the ID Aero the ID7, a roughly Passat-sized sedan that will go on sale next year in the U.S. with what is expected to be VW’s best range from its growing family of battery-electric vehicles. The vehicle on display, a production-intent version, was expected to be rated at around 435 miles of range under Europe’s Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure regimen, the brand said. Range figures for U.S. versions have not been released.
VW said the ID7 will feature a 15-inch infotainment screen incorporating a “new display concept.” It will also have digitally controlled automated air vents and an intelligent HVAC system that can detect an approaching driver with their key and begin to precool or preheat the cabin.
The vents then move to best heat and cool the cabin as directed, aiming air straight at passengers or elsewhere. They also respond to voice commands, VW said. So if the driver says 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 created a camouflage scheme for the ID7 using conductive and insulating paint layers to make different regions of the vehicle light up on demand. The electroluminescent paint and wiring, which add about 70 pounds to the display vehicle, required 40 layers of paint, engineers told Automotive News before the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.
The ID7 body was split into 22 zones that could be lit individually, allowing for a rolling light show. Additionally, QR codes embedded into the camouflage directed users to a website providing more information about the ID7.
