Volkswagen has made the best of its MEB construction, as it underpins various electric vehicles, like the entire ID. family, including the ID.3 hatch and ID. Buzz, as well as the Cupra Tavascan, Audi Q4 e-tron, Skoda Enyaq, and even the Ford Explorer EV.
It is also the foundation stone of the ID.7 mid-size car, which can only be described as a Passat for an entirely new era. However, while the Passat is only offered as a station wagon for the latest generation, the ID.7 is a sedan (technically, it's a five-door liftback) and will soon be joined by an estate that is currently in the testing and development phase.
Caught putting its components to the test in Europe's sub-freezing temperatures, the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer is the same car as the four-door ID.7, save for the back end that's capable of eating more luggage. The German automaker has confirmed that it has a 19.2 cubic feet (545 liters) trunk capacity, which can increase to 60.5 cubic feet (1,714 liters) with the rear seats folded down.
What else do we know about it? That it will share its powertrain with the sedan. This model is only offered with a single choice for now, a single-motor generating 282 hp (286 ps/210 kW) and 402 lb-ft (545 Nm) of torque, driving the rear wheels. The WLTP electric range is 384 miles (618 km) combined and 477 miles (768 km) in the urban jungle.
Photo: SH Proshots
Nevertheless, due to the heavier and less aerodynamic body compared to the sedan, the station wagon derivative will likely be capable of driving fewer miles with the 77 kWh battery pack fully charged. Still, the lesser driving range won't be an issue when factoring in the impressive (for this segment) cargo capacity. Mind you, the new Passat offers superior hauling of up to 67.8 cubic feet or 1,920 liters if you fold down the rear seatbacks.
Speaking of the Passat, it is worth noting that it builds on a different platform. It uses the versatile MQB Evo construction and won't cannibalize the ID.7 Tourer. If anything, it will complete it, considering that it features internal combustion power, complete with diesel units and a plug-in hybrid assembly, whereas the long-roof version of the ID.7 will be an electric vehicle. Thus, the zero-emission station wagon will be a great alternative to the new-generation Passat.
But don't get your hopes high, as neither of them will cross the Atlantic Ocean. Yep, our market won't get these family-friendly wagons, but we look forward to the normal ID.7 liftback, which will grace our shores sometime next year. Pricing and additional details about it when it comes to the U.S. market will be announced in due course.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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