Volkswagen is turning up the heat with yet another electric vehicle sporting the dual-motor 335-hp powertrain. This time, it is the ID.7 sedan, joining the ranks of the ID.7 GTX Tourer and the ID.Buzz GTX. The ID.7 GTX promises a thrilling ride, decent range, and good equipment levels, but there’s just one tiny catch. It seems it won’t be landing on American shores any time soon.
Dual-Motor Mayhem
The ID.7 GTX is quite different from its less powerful siblings. First of all, it has a 335-horsepower twin-motor all-wheel-drive setup that catapults the sedan from 0 to 60 mph in well under 6 seconds. While it leaves its siblings in the dust, it can’t really compete with the Tesla Model 3 Performance. Nonetheless, it is quick and offers plenty of interior space.
The 86 kWh battery powers the two electric motors and promises to keep the ID.7 GTX going for nearly 350 miles on a single charge. Topping up once the juice runs out should be a breeze, courtesy of the built-in 200 kW DC fast-charge support. VW promises it shouldn’t take longer than 30 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%.
The ID.7 GTX has none of the flashy spoilers and wings that we saw on the ID.X concept car. It plays the sleeper game really well. There’s the oversized grille with side air inlets; 20-inch wheels are standard and can be replaced with 21-inch items if required. Blacked-out roof and pillars, dark badges and black mirrors complete the subtle, yet purposeful look.
Luxurious Interior For European Eyes Only
Step inside the ID.7 GTX, and you immediately know this isn’t your standard ID.7 sedan. The interior is covered in a gray mashup of sustainable fabric and microfleece. The high-bolstered seats have red accents, repeated throughout the cabin, keeping the sporty but understated theme going. 30-color ambient lighting caters to any driving mood, and the 15-inch infotainment screen gets some help from a head-up display. Overall, the ID.7 GTX looks like a complete package.
Unfortunately for the American VW fans, the company put the ID.7 launch on hold for an unspecified period. The Germans blame the softening EV demand in the U.S. for playing a cautious game, sending only the cars they believe can sell well. In Europe, though, the GTX version is poised for success. With only the Tesla Model 3 Performance to compete with, the ID.7 may become the less common but more exclusive choice, elevating the brand in the process.
Volkswagen might be slowing down with its EV rollout across America. In Europe, though, the company invests heavily in technology and infrastructure to support the transition to electrified transport. European VW fans have access to a fast-growing family of electric vehicles, from small hatchbacks to sedans and wagons to minivans and commercial versions of the ID.Buzz. North American customers will have to play a waiting game for now.