Ian Lamming takes the latest fully electric vehicle from VW, the ID.7, for a ride across the country
IT’S Saturday, it’s 5pm and I’m heading in the wrong direction – away from my comfy couch.
The night job is 100 miles away from home and I’m in an electric car. To be fair it’s a nice enough assignment, photographing year 13 leavers, staff and parents, a festoon of frilly frocks and dishy DJs, but you know what it’s like working after traditional office hours.
But I needn’t have worried as the test car is going to make the trip more enjoyable still. That’s the true test of a good car, I always think, when it shines bright when you are in the darkest of moods.
First thing to sort out are the logistics – will I have enough range to get there and back, swiftly, on a single charge. The last thing you want to do late at night, after work, at the weekend, is to try and find a public charger and sit for at least an hour so you can actually get home.
This is the very latest EV from VW, the ID.7, so it will be interesting to see how the electric technology is coming along. Climb in and the dashboard comes to life automatically and there it is in clear digits – range to empty 330 miles. Yes! Impressive and no need to stop tonight. I love this car already.
Twist a stalk on the right hand side of the steering wheel to ‘D’ and that engages drive, turn it twice and it switches to ‘B’ and you get battery regenerative engine braking, one pedal control, which I love, and the comfort that the full range will last.
ID.7 pulls away with no noise or vibration and plenty of thrust allowing the driver to sit back and relax to enjoy the excellent infotainment c entre. This night job isn’t so bad after all. Then, seemingly, in the blink of an eye, journey’s end is upon me and it’s off to capture the end of school days magic.
The return journey feels different. The innate reluctance to drive away from home becomes a homing pigeon desire to get back to the couch. That said after two thirds of the journey there is an option – go the straight, faster but boring way via the motorway, or the shorter, slower, exhilarating route via the A roads. No contest in the ID.7 as it loves a bit of cross country.
It’s a big, sleek, substantial saloon, long, wide and capacious, but it is beautifully balanced and nimble. The steering is ultra-sharp, the ride comfortable and controlled. It loves being hustled along sweeping country roads. Using ‘B’ and the one pedal control there’s little need to use the brake pedal and the result is that it is swift over twisty ground. It’s just so comfortable and relaxed yet capable and elating that it is pleasure personified to drive. I’m no longer just commuting I’m thoroughly enjoying the ride, especially with my favourite sounds pounding through the brilliant music system.
The interior is extremely well designed and equipped, the ergonomics and comfort levels are off the scale and the tech-heavy dash is attractive to the eye and easy to use.
So when I reach my driveway I’ve actually forgotten that I have been more than 200 miles for work and the after-taste is more that I’ve just been out for a pleasurable run in the countryside. That’s the real strength of the ID.7.
Fact File
VW ID.7
Engine: electric 77 kWh
Power: 286PS
0-62mph: 6.5 secs
Top speed: 112mph
Range: 384 miles
Transmission: one speed, RWD
CO2 g/km: 0
Price: £51,550.00
