VW ID.7 tests in Alicante are almost complete
VW ID.7 testing is on the home stretch. Shortly before the world premiere of Volkswagen’s future ID. flagship on 17 April, VW provides pictures of the last test drives from Alicante, Spain and delivers more details on the electric sedan’s drive, chassis and comfort features.
The VW ID.7 will have a new, specially developed electric drive when it hits the market in Europe this year. Volkswagen states the drive “significantly increases efficiency and power”. The drive unit in question is the APP550, which VW Group Components has been manufacturing in Kassel since mid-March.
The current press release on the ID.7 states that it is the “most powerful and highest-torque electric drive motor in a Volkswagen ID. model so far” but gives no concrete data. In March, on the occasion of the start of production of the APP550, the drive claimed to produce up to 210 kW and offer the eponymous 550 Nm of torque. As is well known, the motor variant used in most MEB models so far comes to 150 kW and 310 Nm.
While the focus was primarily on performance data in March, VW now emphasises that the new e-drive has been “optimised above all in terms of energy consumption”. VW does not yet give any figures on the expected consumption, nor is there any precise information on the battery, which has also probably been adapted. It is only confirmed that depending on the battery size, WLTP ranges of up to 700 kilometres and charging capacities of up to 200 kW are forecast – with the MEB, mind you, not yet with the announced further development MEB+.
Since the ID.7, with such ranges and presumably short charging times, is supposed to be particularly suitable for long journeys, the chassis of the Passat-sized e-saloon has also been tuned accordingly. VW says the optional adaptive chassis control (DCC) and the driving dynamics manager of the touring sedan have been further developed. This is not only to achieve a wide range between sport and comfort but together with the returned progressive steering, these systems are said to provide both precise handling and high driving stability.
The spaciousness of the interior and the revised cockpit are also intended to ensure a high level of travelling comfort. Although the driver’s display remains very reduced, it is different than in the ID.3 or ID.4. It is now embedded in the dashboard and is no longer mounted on the steering column. This also applies to the infotainment touchscreen, which measures 15 inches diagonally as standard. According to VW, its operating concept has been “fundamentally revised”, and there are now illuminated touch sliders. The “augmented reality head-up display” also comes as standard in the ID.7.
“With the ID.7, we have exploited the potential of the MEB even further,” says Kai Grünitz, brand board member for technical development. “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.”
With reporting by Sebastian Schaal, Germany.
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