Review: At nearly 5 metres long, Volkswagen’s ID.7 will catch the eye – and the stylish electric vehicle is worth a closer look

Volkswagen has come a long way since Dieselgate, with its elegant ID.7 leading the charge towards an electric future

The Volkswagen ID.7 Pro Plus has a sleek profile and a roofline that slopes elegantly to the rear in a coupe style that not only enhances the car’s kerb appeal but also contributes to its efficiency

Geraldine Herbert

In the annals of automotive history, few scandals have reverberated as profoundly as Dieselgate. In September 2015, the German carmaker Volkswagen admitted using software to cheat on emissions tests. The fallout was swift and severe, tarnishing Volkswagen’s reputation, triggering massive recalls, and resulting in billions of euros in fines and settlements.

In the wake of Dieselgate, Volkswagen made an ambitious commitment to electrification, announcing plans to invest billions of euros in developing electric vehicles and infrastructure. In 2017 CEO Matthias Muller announced “We are reinventing the car” and he unveiled “Roadmap E”, VW’s electrification plans for more than 20 full-battery electric cars in production by 2025. The ID family of cars would comprise a fully electric hatchback, a crossover SUV and an all-electric flagship shown first as the ID Vizzion concept.