Last updated on April 17th, 2023 at 09:10 am
The VW flagship electric vehicle has now been revealed, albeit in pre-production, colour-confusion prototype livery. Based on the proven MEB platform, the ID.7 is expected to come with battery options up to 435 miles (WLTP) and the possibility of the most comfortable seats ever installed on a VW – which include massage functions. The aim is to delivery ‘luxury features’ into a more ‘value driven segment’. So when can we expect this vehicle and how much will it cost? WhichEV scans photos from its final test drives in Alicante to see if ‘7’ is likely to be lucky for VW.
VW has indicated that the new ID.7 will have a 200kW charger capability, which is immediately a little disappointing. We recently covered the fact that Ionity has been joined in the UK by Osprey, Gridserve and others with chargers capable of delivering 350kW. Sure, it’s not always possible to pull maximum juice from a charger, but leaving 150kW of potential power on the table seems a little wasteful.
Given that high-end Audi models rarely pull more than 170kW, the ID.7 may have a new design of charger – otherwise the claimed recharge rate would be the same as the Q8 e-tron etc. Porsche has been installing chargers capable of delivering 223kW for some time, so maybe that gives an indication of where the electrical sub-system knowhow will come from.
From our recent experience with the ID.Buzz, we know that VW isn’t scared of large price tags – even in the face of a global recession. Still, it’s claiming to offer high-end features at a lower price point, so you have to assume a figure that’s under £80,000, otherwise you are straying into the aforementioned Taycan territory.
Whichever platform is chosen for the powertrain, the overall range number is a head-scratcher. Mercedes famously claimed over 300 miles range for its heavyweight EQS and that took a 120kWh battery pack. Given the ID.7 will be fitted with complicated seats and a futuristic set of interior features, that battery requirement for 435 miles could be anywhere up to 160kWh.
Kai Grünitz, Head of Development, explains: “With the ID.7 we have exploited the potential of the MEB even further. We have also used a new, more powerful and more efficient electric drive motor. In addition, we have enhanced the control quality of the running gear and were thus able to further increase driving comfort. The combination of a superior drive system, comfortable running gear and long range make the ID.7 the perfect limousine for long distance travel.”
New running gear – high level of comfort and precise steering
The optional adaptive chassis control (DCC) and the driving dynamics manager of the limousine for long distance travel have been fundamentally enhanced. Thanks to the driving mode selection options, they offer a large spread between comfort and sportiness.
Extremely spacious, new operating concept and reduced cockpit architecture
The spacious and high-quality interior offers plenty of room in both the front and rear seats. The cockpit has been completely redesigned and the size of the classic instruments has been significantly reduced. All the necessary standard information and warnings are displayed behind the steering wheel in the ID. cockpit. The driver receives other important information via the standard augmented reality head-up display. The heart of the display and operating concept is the Infotainment system display equipped as standard in the ID.7: measuring 38 centimetres (15 inches) across the diagonal, its operating concept has been fundamentally redesigned. For example, based on customer feedback, operation of the air conditioning has been permanently integrated on the top operating level. There are also freely configurable direct access buttons.
ergoActive seats: adaptive seat Climatronic and new massage system
Volkswagen has developed a new generation of driver and front passenger seats for the ID.7. Depending on the version, these new seats offer up to 14 electrical adjustment options. As well as adaptive seat Climatronic, they also have a completely newly designed massage function. In addition to the individual settings, the driver and front passenger can alternatively activate an automatic mode for the seat climate; here, temperature and moisture sensors in the seats detect the cooling and/or heating requirement and control the climate accordingly. The newly developed massage function of the optional ergoActive Premium seats for the driver and front passenger offers a particularly high level of comfort. In the ID.7 segment, the new seats define a standard that was previously known only in the luxury class.
ID.7 takes the ID. family to a new level
With its high-quality product concept, the ID.7 underlines its position as the electric flagship model of the ID. family. In addition to long ranges and an agile drive, it also offers a high level of travel comfort thanks to its new operating concept and spacious interior. With innovative technologies and a high- quality appearance, the new ID.7 clearly positions itself as an electric limousine for long distance travel in the upper mid-size class.
Interesting set of features, but we’re still hooked on the battery set up. Either the ID.7 will come with the largest battery generally available on consumer electric vehicles or they have made substantial improvements to the MEB’s efficiency for the new car.