VW ID.7 VIZZION goes on sale - starts from $32,000 in China

FAW-Volkswagen finally unleashed its ID.7 VIZZION onto the Chinese market on December 15. Priced at a seemingly competitive RMB 227,777 (approximately $32,000), this new entrant in the EV arena claims to be a “game-changer”, but skepticism hangs in the air like the faint scent of burnt rubber.

The ID.7 VIZZION, a product of the collaboration between FAW-VW and SAIC-VW, showcases three models, each vying for attention in a market saturated with nuanced design differences. The 5-door liftback body, visually aligned with the VW ID family design language, boasts integrated hidden door handles. Aesthetics aside, the dimensions - 195.1 inches in length, 73.3 inches in width, and 60.5 inches in height - seem like the standard fare. Those dimensions square the new ID.7 VIZZION against the likes of the Tesla Model S or Nio ET7.

One standout feature is the SkyView glass roof, which claims to block 99% of ultraviolet rays and over 83% of heat. Whether this is a game-changer or just another gimmick remains to be seen, but it's an interesting detail nonetheless.

The ID.7 VIZZION flaunts an 84.8kWh liquid-cooled NMC battery (same battery used by ID.7 AWD in Europe), offering both a single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor four-wheel drive options. The range figures of 399 miles for the two-wheel drive and 354 miles for the four-wheel drive are impressive, but forgive us if we raise an eyebrow at these seemingly optimistic claims. These numbers are derived from the CLTC cycle - the most optimistic estimate in the world. The pre-sale version comes in a single-motor rear-wheel drive configuration, delivering a peak power of 150 kW and a peak torque of 229 lb-ft.

Safety is, of course, a key concern. The use of 32% hot-formed steel and increased torsional stiffness of the chassis sound reassuring, but we can't help but wonder how these specs translate to real-world safety. The "sandwich" door sill structure, EmergencyAssist 3.0, AEB automatic emergency braking system, and a 360-degree panoramic image plus PDC parking assistance are thrown into the mix.

Inside, the ID.7 VIZZION boasts a 15-inch 2K floating screen and an AR HUD guidance system. The vehicle operates on the new-generation car system ID OS 2.0, featuring iFlytek voice technology for an apparently advanced user experience. Hidden air-conditioning vents adjust air direction and air volume based on light changes - because, you know, traditional air-conditioning systems were far too predictable. The Harman Kardon audio system with 16 speakers sounds impressive.

The ID.7 VIZZION enters a market populated by fierce competitors like the Nio ET7, XPeng P7, and the BYD Han. There’s the all-new Zeekr 007 and its bigger cousin, the Zeekr 001. While the starting price seems tempting, it's not just about the entry fee.

As Volkswagen's pure electric vehicles struggle to secure a decent slice of the Chinese EV market, the ID.7 VIZZION emerges as the one carrying the fate of the brand on its shoulders. With competitive pricing and a laundry list of features, it aims to shift the tides. Will it succeed, or will it fade into the crowded background of electric dreams?

Via