The ID.7 is the flagship among electric Volkswagen models – a progressive fastback saloon with a long range. Volkswagen is now expanding the ID.7 portfolio with an estate car: the ID.7 Tourer. The new Volkswagen model is one of the first all-electric estate cars in the upper mid-sized class. Volkswagen is also represented in this class with the new Passat Variant. Both product lines complement each other and together cover all relevant drive types. The aerodynamic ID.7 Tourer combines the emission advantages of electric mobility with long ranges and a very high load capacity (up to 1,714 litres) – parameters that combine many requirements of the business and private world more sustainably than ever before. The ID.7 Tourer differs significantly from the fastback saloon at the rear. The design of the electric estate is characterised in particular by a long roof line. In terms of style, the avant-garde Tourer is a fusion of a classic estate in the format of the Passat and a particularly dynamic shooting brake such as the Arteon. Thanks to the increased height at the rear, the luggage compartment volume is even larger than that of the fastback saloon: with five people on board, and the rear seats in cargo position, ID.7 Tourer can accommodate luggage with a volume of up to 605 litres. When loaded up to the backrests of the front seats and up to the roof, this figure rises to 1,714 litres; in this case, the load area is almost two metres long.
The new ID.7 Tourer will be launched with extensive standard equipment, as is shown by the Pro version. Taking Germany as an example: the standard exterior features include LED headlights and LED tail light clusters, diamond-cut 19-inch alloy wheels and roof rails. The interior and technology equipment includes the keyless locking and starting system Keyless Access, luggage partition net, 10-colour background lighting, enhanced augmented reality head-up display, rear view camera system, two-zone automatic air conditioner with smart air vents and heated front seats. The new IDA voice assistant is operated using natural language. Within the system limits, this not only enables control of many vehicle functions, but also answers specific questions on all conceivable subjects by accessing online databases and features new integration of ChatGPT (artificial intelligence, AI). ChatGPT should be available with a time delay. An optional Wellness In-Car-App is also new on board. This allows various vehicle functions to be adjusted via preconfigured programmes to enhance well-being during the journey or breaks.
The ID.7 Tourer can be optionally configured with the new panoramic sunroof with smart glass. The transparent roof can be made opaque or transparent from one moment to the next by means of a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) layer integrated in the glass. Switchover is activated by touch control in the roof console or by the IDA voice assistant. The electronic PDLC layer is de-energised when the glass is opaque. This causes the crystals in the layer to arrange themselves so that the glass is no longer transparent. In contrast, as soon as an electric voltage is applied to the layer, the crystals then sort themselves so that light is again allowed to pass through. In addition to this switchable glare protection function, layers in the glass also reflect the energy-rich infra-red rays in the sunlight that would otherwise heat up the vehicle interior in sunny weather. Likewise, the heat radiation from the heating is reflected by the smart glass and thus retained in the interior. This creates a high level of comfort for the passengers, especially in winter.
During journeys, an innovative charging and thermal management function makes sure the battery is pre-conditioned ahead of the next DC charging stop. Thanks to this pre-conditioning, the ID.7 Tourer and ID.7 fastback saloon are supplied with new energy again as quickly as possible, especially on long journeys with one or more charging stops. Where possible, the battery will be heated to the ideal temperature before the charging stop so it can be charged at high power. This enables the charging time to be reduced by several minutes, particularly in winter. When route guidance by the navigation system with the Electric Vehicle Route Planner is active, pre-conditioning is started automatically on the way to the next quick-charging station. Without active route guidance, the function can also be manually activated using the charging menu in the infotainment system.
The ID.7 Tourer shares most of its exterior dimensions with the ID.7 fastback saloon. Both models are 4,961 mm long and have a very long wheelbase of 2,971 mm with correspondingly short body overhangs as distinguishing features. The width of the two ID.7 models is 1,862 mm (without exterior mirrors). Both ID.7 bodies are 1,536 mm high. Both models differ significantly from each other in the rear body area: the new ID.7 Tourer is characterised by a roof line that extends far to the rear between the C- and D-pillars and thus increases the height in this area. Thanks to the longer roof and steeper boot lid, the ID.7 Tourer offers even more luggage compartment capacity. As for the ID.7 fastback saloon, the panoramic sunroof with smart glass is also available for the new ID.7 Tourer. The transparent roof can be made opaque or transparent electronically by means of a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) layer integrated in the glass.
As with the ID.7 saloon, the front in particular reflects the next evolutionary stage of the ID. design. It has significantly sharper contours and clearly shows a high level of precision and quality. The headlights now have a slimmer look and bear an even greater resemblance to human features with their new modules. As an option, the ID.7 Tourer will be available with IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights including a horizontal LED strip to the left and right of the illuminated Volkswagen logo as well as the automatic main-beam control function Dynamic Light Assist (interactive continuous high beam that does not dazzle oncoming traffic). The long roofline is a distinguishing feature of the side design of the new ID.7 Tourer. The line that extends into the roof spoiler visually matches the dynamic proportions of the new Volkswagen. The side contours are flanked by black, aerodynamically flat roof rails. Below the window sill, the striking character line with a sharp undercut creates powerful, positive tension in the silhouette of the ID.7 Tourer. Depending on the equipment, the aerodynamically optimised alloy wheels come in sizes of 19 or optionally 20 inches. A optionally 21-inch wheel rim is scheduled to follow.
The ID.7 features a completely new and independent cockpit architecture with its standard-equipment augmented reality head-up display. The ID.7 Tourer has adopted the entire instrument landscape from the fastback saloon. The same applies to the generous amount of space in the first and second seat rows. Behind the asymmetrically split and folding rear bench seat, however, there is now a luggage compartment with an even larger volume. When fully loaded up to the backrests of the first row of seats (loaded roof-high with luggage partition net), the stowage volume increases from 1,586 to 1,714 litres compared with the fastback saloon. The maximum load capacity with five people on board is 605 litres when loaded up to the height of the rear seat backrest (rear seat backrest in upright cargo position); this value corresponds to an increase of 73 litres. The dimensions for the luggage compartment floor are identical: its length is 1,075 mm up to the rear bench seat. When the rear seat backrests are folded down, the largely flat load area length increases to 1,948 mm. The maximum width between the wheel arches is exactly 1,000 mm. Practical accessories are available for the ID.7 Tourer to further enhance the usability of the estate model. With a luggage compartment plug-in module, it is possible, for example, to divide the luggage compartment in a flash and secure the load against slipping. A side luggage compartment net also keeps things tidy.
The Wellness In-Car-App is generally new in the ID.7 range. This allows various vehicle functions to be adjusted via preconfigured programmes to enhance well-being during the journey or breaks. Depending on the vehicle equipment, the app does this using features such as the background lighting, sound, air conditioning, the panoramic sunroof with smart glass as well as seat air conditioning and seat massage function. Sound composers have specifically developed acoustic sound tapestries for the Wellness In-Car-App. The new in-car app is launched using the infotainment system. The following three wellness modes are planned: Fresh Up, Calm Down and Power Break. An example: with just one click, Fresh Up activates a stimulating sound, refreshing air conditioning (by means of the automatic air conditioner and seat ventilation), an invigorating back massage and blue and turquoise zones of the background lighting, which therefore also has a fresh colour appearance; the illuminated trims in the dash panel and door panels and the narrow light strips arranged underneath change from blue to turquoise and vice versa at calm intervals. A blue light animation runs in parallel in the ID. Light below the windscreen. If wished, the mode can be customised according to individual preferences: the current radio station or a Spotify playlist can be used instead of the pre-programmed sound, for example.
