With an electric station wagon you are mainly looking for space and ease of use. But we wouldn’t say no to the 109 hp of the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer GTX either. Although that does cost something – in money and kilometers.
Called a few years ago Volkswagen that the GTX label was the GTI badge of the electric future. The company now seems to have reversed this trend, with the sportiest version of the future Volkswagen ID.2 according to rumors, will simply get the classic abbreviation on the muscular electric buttocks again. Anyway, the ID.2 belongs to the next generation.
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This is how you recognize the ID.7 GTX
The ID.7 is still in the here and now and will be added to the GTX branch of the Volkswagen family. There it is in the company of the ID.3, ID.5 and ID.Buzz. Following in the footsteps of its electric brothers, the ID.7 GTX shows its sporty aspirations with special wheels, a modified front bumper and black door pillars.
Price difference ID.7 Liftback and Tourer
Like the other versions of the Volkswagen ID.7, the GTX is available in two body styles. The five-door liftback is available from 67,990 euros, we drive the 1000 euro more expensive Tourer, or the station wagon. Or Variant, in traditional Volkswagen jargon.
The red pen of the designers
The interior designers of the GTX have used the red pen liberally. Red accents on the steering wheel, dashboard and door trim are intended to underline the sporty aspirations. The same applies to the extensively adjustable sports seats with red GTX logo in the headrest and pink piping on the edges.
Luggage compartment Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer GTX
Just like the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer Pro S that we drove earlierthe GTX offers plenty of space for four to five passengers and their luggage (605 to 1714 liters). It remains a pity that the car has no frunk. Especially if you have the trunk full and forgot to put the charging cable on top…
The 86 kWh battery pack is also identical, but to ensure that the thickest ID.7 also delivers GTX-worthy performance, Volkswagen equipped it with an extra 109 hp electric motor. It turns an already quite spicy specialty beer (286 hp) into a big head-butt with 340 hp. Are we now getting drunk with sporting pleasure?
Performance fastest Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer
Unlike the rear engine, the additional machine in the nose of the ID.7 GTX is an asynchronous motor. This only becomes active when the driver stamps on the accelerator pedal with impatience and, if necessary, has to reach 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. The forces are distributed via an electronic limited slip differential, which controls the wheels individually. This happens so subtly and quickly that you hardly notice it.
Adapted chassis GTX
The GTX chassis is similar to that of other ID.7 models, with a McPherson front axle and a multi-link rear axle. What sets the GTX apart are the extra sturdy stabilizers and modified springs and dampers. Dynamic Chassis Control (standard on the GTX Business from 71,490 euros) allows you to adjust the damping in 15 steps.
But even in comfort mode, the ID.7 GTX rides quite firmly. Rear passengers who have the same buttock sensitivity as the princess and the pea do not necessarily like that. For the real enthusiast, there is the sport mode, which allows you to have even more fun on winding roads.
Typical Volkswagen
Despite these sporty features, the ID.7 GTX remains a typical Volkswagen: predictable and calm. That does not mean that the car is boring, because the electric drive responds ultra-immediately and ensures that all occupants will need a neck brace in no time. The standard progressive power steering, which adapts to speed, is even sharper and ensures precise steering.
Slower than fastest Volvo EX30
So there is no shortage of pace. Until you consider that a ‘simple’ electric SUV is the most powerful Volvo EX30 the 2.2 ton ID.7 is a sight to behold. And although the car is a great all-rounder, it lacks the lightness and experience to pass for a hardcore sports enthusiast. In addition, the second electric motor takes away a serious part of the range.
That much range costs an extra 109 hp
Compared to the 690 kilometers of the Pro S, the – in itself respectable – 584 kilometers of the GTX is in stark contrast. This means that you sacrifice a large part of the ease of use. Yes, even though you can boost the battery capacity from 10 to 80 percent within half an hour thanks to the 200 kW fast charging capacity.
The fact that the 15-inch infotainment screen responds smoothly and offers useful functions such as route planning with charging stops and preheating of the battery offers some consolation, albeit a poor one.
The key question of 7000 euros
You’ll quickly feel at home in the ID.7 GTX. The driving behavior is solid, there is plenty of space and comfort, and the technology is top notch. The question is who has 7,000 euros left for rarely useful extra performance compared to the Tourer Pro S. And then you also give up 100 kilometers of range and, thanks to the headbutt from the Schoof cabinet, you pay even more road tax than before the plan was. We predict that the ID.7 Tourer GTX will remain a rare sight.
Source: www.autoreview.nl
