Motors & Performance
To date, all ID models have used the same drivetrain hardware to deliver power to the road. The ID.7 is the first model to feature Volkswagen’s second generation motor and inverter (the piece of kit that converts the DC energy of the battery into AC energy for the motors).
The new rear mounted motor generates 282bhp and 545Nm of torque and features a number of improvements over the previous design. The GTX adds another 107bhp electric motor on the front axle to make it four-wheel drive, cutting the 0-62mph time by around 0.5 seconds to the detriment of range.
In use, the new motor on Pro Match and Pro S models delivers sharp acceleration and a helpful wadge of overtaking torque when needed, and the GTX just ramps that up even further. But, even with 335bhp, the GTX doesn’t hurtle towards the horizon like a Tesla Model S Performance does – it’s quick but at the same time very refined and polished.
Drive & Handling
In terms of dynamics, the ID.7 uses the same architecture as other ID models with MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link axle at the rear. That said, Volkswagen has improved the bushes on the rear axle (the component that links the suspension to the body) in an effort to deliver a quieter, smoother ride.
On the road, the ID.7 feels incredibly composed with a pliant ride quality and direct steering. Body roll is well controlled and despite its size, the ID.7 never feels unwieldy. The controls are well weighted, with the steering providing plenty of feedback and the brakes delivering a solid pedal feel. Our only gripe is that the B mode regenerative braking could be a little more powerful. While the new motors have given B mode a little more bite than on other ID models, the 7 doesn't offer one-pedal driving. The Tourer version feels almost identical to the saloon, and offers the same lovely blend of refinement and long-legged range.
The GTX is billed as the performance model and to a certain extent that is true. The steering has been reworked to offer more ‘feel’, the electronic differential lock system has been tuned and VW’s engineers have fiddled with the parameters in the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) and added an option to turn off the ESC and traction control. The steering certainly is sharper than the regular ID.7’s and gives more feedback, and the differential and DCC do a good job at sending power to the correct wheel to make cornering faster and more controlled. The upgrades are welcome but subtle – the GTX isn’t a full-blown ‘hot’ estate like you might be expecting.