Ilaria Rosella Pagliaro The Volkswagen ID.7 Pro S traveled 584.7 miles on a single charge, well beyond the declared WLTP range, but the test, conducted at constant speed on a closed circuit, raises doubts about the real applicability of this data in daily driving
©Volkswagen
The Volkswagen ID.7 Pro S traveled 585 miles (941 km) on a single charge, 145 miles (232 km) beyond its official WLTP rating of 440 miles (709 km), an increase of 32.7%. It was tested in December at the Puglia test track in Nardò, Italy, to emphasize the frugality of the German electric sedan. These readings were, however, obtained under highly controlled conditions, which may not be encountered during ordinary driving.
Production spec car, conditions optimised
The ID.7 Pro S trial vehicle tested was a standard production vehicle that had not been modified, equipped with an 86 kWh net capacity battery pack and rear-wheel drive permanent magnet synchronous motor with 281 hp (210 kW) output. During the test, the vehicle achieved an average speed of 18 mph (29 km/h) that was intended to mimic typical urban driving under optimum conditions as claimed by Volkswagen.
But the test was not close to actual city stop-and-go conditions. The test comprised 33 hours and 15 minutes of running, so the car was moving steadily at an even speed without repeated accelerations and frequent braking found on actual urban streets. In addition, the ambient temperature outside ranged from 41°F to 59°F (5°C to 15°C), an excellent battery performance operating temperature with minimum energy consumption.
Distinguishing efficiency: only 9.2 kWh for 62 miles
Perhaps the most impressive part of the test was its efficiency regarding energy usage: a mere 9.2 kWh for 62 miles (100 km). To better put this in context, this equates to something like 0.26 gallons of diesel fuel for 62 miles—a performance that is staggeringly efficient by the standards of an electric car of this dimension.
In addition, the Volkswagen ID.7 Pro S also features fast charging capability, with the potential to support DC charging up to 200 kW. This makes it possible to charge the battery from 10% to 80% within just 26 minutes, significantly reducing downtime during long journeys.
Impressive performance, but not reflective of on-road driving
Although the test highlights the ID.7 Pro S’s aerodynamic efficiency and powertrain optimization, it also raises questions about real-world usability. The test conditions of constant speed, no traffic, and ideal temperatures were essential in achieving the 585-mile range.
Martin Sander, Member of the Board of Management for Sales, Marketing, and After Sales at Volkswagen, stated:
“This test confirms that the ID.7 is the ideal car for long-distance motorists and fleet operators, in addition to our Passat.”
Despite the staggering figures, the question is: just how realistic is this range in actual driving conditions?
