The new Volkswagen ID.7, the most aerodynamic VW model yet.

With a streamlined design, fine-tuning in computer simulations, and a range of up to 700 kilometers, the limousine is an efficiency champion

There are multiple strengths to the all-new Volkswagen ID.7 but the stand-out one has to be the aerodynamics of the vehicle. The ID.7 has an almost completely closed underbody, this is partnered by newly developed wheel spoilers on the front wheels. this is used to guide the airflow along the wheels underneath the vehicle creating as little turbulence as possible. As well as this, it's fitted with air curtains at each side of the front bumper direct the air around the vehicle's front end with minimum loss.

The aerodynamic bettering features don't stop there, the ID.7 has flared side skills that prevent the air from flowing into the underbody area and shield the rear tyres from air flowing onto them also. In addition, it has small spoilers and trim panels that guide the flow of air on the underbody.

Volkswagen thought about everything when it comes to aerodynamics with also taking into account the holistic aerodynamic development process. These include the functional openings at the front, for example, through which air flows to the radiators in the vehicle's front end.

In the ID.7, the airflow is actively controlled by a radiator roller blind in order to reduce the drag. The electrically operated roller blind opens only when targeted cooling of the power units and the battery is required. At the rear, aerodynamic efficiency is ensured by the ideally shaped tailgate and the design of the diffuser and side separation edges.

Volkswagen had an initial focus on computer simulations. “Work only takes place virtually in the first year of development, with updates about every two weeks,” says Stephan Lansmann, project engineer responsible for ID.7 aerodynamics. The design team supplies CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data to thousands of processors and then they calculate the airflow values.

This is also for numerous details like the flush-recessed door handles and the aerodynamically designed mirrors of the ID.7. "We go into the wind tunnel only when the design is stable. That can take a good one and a half years from the start of development," says the development engineer.

The next stage of the process is where Volkswagen comes into its own. Volkswagen uses clay models in the original size of the ID.7 in a wind tunnel. The new findings are implemented on the model using a milling cutter with millimetre precision – for example, in the event of changes to the rear and to the separation edges.

With the help of the prototype parts from the 3D printer, Stephan Lansmann’s team tested numerous variants – also for the aerodynamically shaped exterior mirrors, for example. On the ID.7, this process allowed them to optimise the upper and lower mirror housing sections and mirror base to achieve a lower drag coefficient with outstanding aerodynamic properties.

The fact that the new ID.7 is the most aerodynamic ID model so far can be seen at first glance when looking at the silhouette of the vehicle, which is a phenomenal accolade in itself. Volkswagen designer Daniel Scharfschwerdt says:

"When designing the ID.7, there was a greater focus on aerodynamics than for practically any other model. This can be seen in the low front end, the flowing transition into the bonnet, and the fast windscreen. The coupé-like roof form and the tapering rear end are also designed for ideal aerodynamic performance."