diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 77f460b4f..3fe98613b 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ The version number is globally defined by the `hw_version_c` constant in the mai
 
 | Date (*dd.mm.yyyy*) | Version | Comment |
 |:----------:|:-------:|:--------|
+| 08.04.2022 | [**:rocket:1.7.0**](https://github.com/stnolting/neorv32/releases/tag/v1.7.0) | **New release** |
 | 08.04.2022 | 1.6.9.11 | :bug: fixed bug in interrupt setup of **`crt0` start-up code** [#297](https://github.com/stnolting/neorv32/pull/297) |
 | 08.04.2022 | 1.6.9.10 | rework compressed instruction (`C` ISA extension) de-compressor: :lock: closed further illegal compressed instruction holes; code clean-ups; `mtval` CSR now shows the decompressed 32-bit instruction when executing an illegal compressed instruction; minor RTL code cleanups (removing legacy stuff); [PR #296](https://github.com/stnolting/neorv32/pull/296) |
 | 07.04.2022 | 1.6.9.9 | AND-gate CSR read address: reduces **CPU switching activity** (= dynamic power consumption) and even reduces area costs; [PR #295](https://github.com/stnolting/neorv32/pull/295) |
diff --git a/docs/attrs.adoc b/docs/attrs.adoc
index a01c90d56..2c21d6464 100644
--- a/docs/attrs.adoc
+++ b/docs/attrs.adoc
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 :keywords: neorv32, risc-v, riscv, fpga, soft-core, vhdl, microcontroller, cpu, soc, processor, gcc, openocd, gdb
-:description: A size-optimized, customizable and open-source full-scale 32-bit RISC-V soft-core CPU and SoC written in platform-independent VHDL.
-:revnumber: v1.6.9
+:description: A size-optimized, customizable and highly extensible MCU-class 32-bit RISC-V soft-core CPU and microcontroller-like SoC written in platform-independent VHDL.
+:revnumber: v1.7.0
 :doctype: book
 :sectnums:
 :stem:
diff --git a/rtl/core/neorv32_package.vhd b/rtl/core/neorv32_package.vhd
index 94fed7f3e..ac74ce52a 100644
--- a/rtl/core/neorv32_package.vhd
+++ b/rtl/core/neorv32_package.vhd
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ package neorv32_package is
   -- Architecture Constants (do not modify!) ------------------------------------------------
   -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   constant data_width_c : natural := 32; -- native data path width - do not change!
-  constant hw_version_c : std_ulogic_vector(31 downto 0) := x"01060911"; -- NEORV32 version - no touchy!
+  constant hw_version_c : std_ulogic_vector(31 downto 0) := x"01070000"; -- NEORV32 version - no touchy!
   constant archid_c     : natural := 19; -- official NEORV32 architecture ID - hands off!
 
   -- Check if we're inside the Matrix -------------------------------------------------------