Volkswagen’s Electric Wagon Debut: The ID.7 Tourer

Small Sedan, Big Practicality

Do you recall Volkswagen’s introduction of the Space Vizzion Concept in November 2019? Well, now it’s February 2024 and we finally have the production model – the ID.7 Tourer. This vehicle marks VW’s initial venture into the exclusive market of electric wagons. The ID.7 Tourer will be joining the company’s existing lineup of gasoline-powered estate models – the Golf Variant, Passat Variant, and the Arteon Shooting Brake.

While most wagons are usually slightly bigger than the sedans they are derived from, this is not applicable to the ID.7 Tourer. In fact, it shares the same dimensions in terms of length, width, and height with its standard model, as well as having an identical wheelbase. This means that it measures 4961 millimeters (195.3 inches) in length, 1862 mm (73.3 in) in width (excluding the mirrors), and 1536 mm (60.4 in) in height. The distance between its axles is 2971 mm (117 in).

Even though the external dimensions remain the same, the redesigned backside offers more practicality. When the rear seats are upright, the electric station wagon can hold 605 liters (21.3 cubic feet) of cargo, which is 73 liters (2.5 cubic feet) more than the sedan. Technically, the sedan is a hatchback or liftback because it also has an electric tailgate. If you fold down the rear bench, the wagon’s luggage capacity expands to 1,714 liters (60.5 cubic feet), a significant increase of 128 liters (4.5 cubic feet). For even more room, an optional roof box can add an extra 460 liters (16.2 cubic feet).

The capacity of the ID.7 Tourer allows for safe storage of objects up to 1075 millimeters (42.3 inches) in length in the rear without the need to collapse the back seats. For larger items, simply folding down the bench grants a generous load area length of 1948 millimeters (76.7 inches). Volkswagen boasts a precise maximum width between the wheel arches of 1000 millimeters (39.3 inches).

The overall design of the car is not particularly innovative, as VW played it safe and didn’t take any chances. In essence, it is an ID.7 model with a taller roof and a more robust rear portion. It also inherits the possibility of having a panoramic sunroof, which incorporates a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) layer. With a simple press of a button mounted on the ceiling, owners can control whether the roof appears transparent or opaque. This impressive feature has been available on high-end sports cars and luxury vehicles for quite some time, but it is now becoming more commonly found on mainstream models.

The core of the ID.7 Tourer shares the same rear-mounted electric motor as the liftback model, boasting 282 horsepower (210 kilowatts) and 402 pound-feet (545 Newton-meters) of torque. The initial release will offer the Pro version, equipped with a battery that has a usable capacity of 77 kWh. However, a higher-end Pro S version is on the way, featuring a larger 86-kWh pack that will also be available for the hatchback version. With the upgraded battery, Volkswagen projects a range of 426 miles (685 kilometers) per the WLTP cycle before needing a recharge.

If you opt for the compact battery, your maximum charging speed will be capped at 175 kW, compared to the larger pack which can handle 200 kW. Both options, however, offer quick charging times, with the ID.7 Tourer’s battery able to reach 80 percent capacity in under half an hour. As is the case with all electric vehicles, the range will be affected by the size of the wheels, with choices ranging from 19 to 21 inches.

Manufacturing will occur at the identical Emden location in Germany where Volkswagen constructs both the standard ID.7 and ID.4 models. Regrettably, according to a communication from company representative Mark Gillies, the Tourer variation will not be making an appearance in the United States. However, the hatchback version is set to debut in North America in the latter half of 2024.

Source: Volkswagen