If there’s something the Volkswagen ID.7 makes you understand, it’s how spectacular the Tesla Model S was when it arrived greater than a decade in the past. After all, everyone knows that tech strikes quick, and but by some means, regardless of multiple recalls, the Model S stays a benchmark for large, sedan-bodied, long-distance electrical land yachts.
Volkswagen could lastly be about to problem it, although, with this—the ID.7. It takes on the Model S not simply when it comes to tech (there’s a lot of it), but in addition when it comes to effectivity and on-road refinement and luxury. More about that in a bit, because it’s the tech and electrical powertrain that’s the large information right here.
First up, beneath the VW ID.7 is identical MEB platform that underpins all the opposite ID fashions, together with the ID.Buzz, which amazingly is definitely a contact shorter than the 4.96-meter ID.7.
Power comes from a new, 282-brake-horsepower, permanent-magnet synchronous electrical motor that drives the rear wheels (for now, not less than, as a four-wheel-drive mannequin is probably going), whereas battery choices will embody the 77-kilowatt-hour (usable) lithium-ion pack already acquainted from the ID.3. Using the aerodynamic form of the ID.7, VW has additionally supposedly managed a drag coefficient of simply 0.23, amounting to 382 miles of vary and making this probably some of the environment friendly EVs on sale.
A Pro S model with an 86-kWh battery is the flagship mannequin, which might see the ID.7 attain the magic 700-kilometer (435-mile) milestone for official WLTP vary.
WIRED drove a preproduction normal 77-kWh Pro variant of the ID.7 at a press launch hosted by VW in Alicante, Spain, and we averaged 3.4 miles per kilowatt-hour over a number of sooner mountain roads and fiddly city roads, for a real-world vary of 262 miles—not wonderful, but in addition not horrible given the twisty route.
Photograph: Volkswagen
Charging is 170 kW, as per the ID.Buzz, so count on a 10 to 80 p.c cost in half-hour should you get fortunate and attain peak charging potential. The Pro S, nevertheless, will apparently handle speeds of up to 200 kW. Recharging from a 7-kW residence wall field will take round 12 to 15 hours, however it’s odd (and really disappointing) that Volkswagen isn’t providing vehicle-to-device charging on the ID.7, a standout function on opponents from Kia and Hyundai, for instance.
Slippy Saloon
You can inform that aerodynamics have very a lot led the design of the ID.7, because it appears to be like somewhat comparable to different massive aero-focused sedans. VW has gone to nice lengths to hold the ultimate design below wraps, however contemplating that it’s virtually equivalent to the ID. Aero1 concept proven off midway by means of final yr, one wonders why.
Photograph: Volkswagen
