TOUR MANAGEMENT (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Volkswagen widens the aspirations for its all-electric luxury ID.7 with this more versatile Tourer version. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 40

The ID.7 Tourer aims to offer a slightly more versatile take on Volkswagen's largest ID electric model. As a plush compromise between a pricey large executive EV station wagon and a more compact EV estate, it certainly has its place.

Backgroundword count: 137

We've had large electric estates; like the BMW i5 Touring. And more compact ones - like the MG5 and station wagon EV versions of the Peugeot E-308 and the Vauxhall Astra Electric. Now time for something in-between. This Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer. As the name suggests, it's an estate version of the ID.7 hatch and enters production just as another similarly-sized large-ish Volkswagen - the Arteon Shooting Brake - leaves us. Being an EV, this Tourer isn't a direct replacement for the Arteon Shooting Brake (which was combustion-based and sometimes a PHEV). But the design spirit that links the two products is similar, even if the ID.7 Tourer is arguably less original to look at. That originality didn't help that old Arteon model sell in decent numbers though. Will this Tourer do better? Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 268

The ID.7 Tourer doesn't of course drive any differently to an ID.7 hatch. The ID.7 range has introduced lots of fresh drive technology, principally with the brand's new 210kW e-motor. This differs from previous VW Group EV motors, with stronger magnets, a higher wire cross-section, more windings and improved cooling, all of which ought to improve efficiency and power (rated at 286PS). All initial ID.7 Tourers will be of the single motor rear-driven sort: a dual motor AWD GTX performance version will follow. This will pair the 286PS rear motor with a 108PS front motor, for a combined output of around 395PS. You'll want to know about drive range on the mainstream models. The familiar 77kWh 'Pro' battery offered from launch will take the car up to 374 miles. A larger 'Pro S' battery (at 86kWh the VW Group's biggest to date) will arrive later to improve that to 425 miles. You twist the gear selector (a column-mounted stalk) to get going, one notch for 'Drive' and two notches for the 'B' mode that maximises regenerative braking and allows for near one-pedal driving. On the move, there are four main drive mode options - 'Eco', 'Comfort', 'Sport' and 'Individual'. And if you've ticked for the option of Adaptive Chassis Control adaptive damping, these will control ride quality too. Expect exemplary refinement thanks to the slippery aerodynamics. As you'd expect, there's plenty of autonomous drive tech. Volkswagen's now familiar 'Travel Assist' set-up has been updated with an 'Assisted Lane Change' feature. And it uses 'swarm data' from other VW Group vehicles for more accurate speed control and lane guidance.

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