Volkswagen is giving us a sneak-peek at the high-performance version of its new ID.7 electric saloon ahead its full unveiling in September.
GTX badge won't last long
The sportier ID.7 will be badged as GTX - in spite of VW recently admitting that the GTX badge is going to be discontinued soon and the GTI badge revived for sporty electric models. The ID.7 won't be lonely as a GTX, though - it will continue to have ID.4 and ID.5 GTX models for company, as well as the upcoming ID. Buzz GTX.
Volkswagen says that the GTX will be the "most dynamic" version of the ID.7 range. The ID.4 and ID.5 GTX models get a two-motor, four-wheel-drive system developing 299hp, but it seems likely that the ID.7 will have more power. The standard model already comes with a 286hp rear-mounted electric motor, and it's rumoured that the addition of an extra motor at the front, for four-wheel drive, will boost the ID.7's maximum power to 340hp.
"Most dynamic version"
While that will doubtless mean a shorter range, the top-spec ID.7's 86kWh battery pack means that it has some to spare, and the GTX model will probably still be able to go further than 650km on a charge.
To live up to VW's "most dynamic version" boast, the ID.7 GTX will get a new vehicle dynamics manager, an electronic system that controls the four-wheel-drive setup, and which VW says "aims to achieve the optimum combination of efficiency, dynamics and driving stability. The vehicle dynamics manager controls not only the powertrain, but also all braking, steering and chassis control systems, depending on the selected driving profile." There will definitely be tuned suspension, as VW is promising that the ID.7's "running gear and steering have been fundamentally enhanced on the basis of the modular electric drive (MEB) platform and offer a large bandwidth between comfort and sportiness." Adaptive suspension dampers will almost certainly be fitted as standard.
Red contrast
To distinguish it from lesser ID.7s, VW has gone heavy on the red for the GTX. The photos of the exterior show a deep, rich red metallic paint (probably the same 'Kings Red' deployed on the ID.4 GTX) and that will be carried through to the inside with red GTX contrast stitching on the seats, dash panel and doors. The exterior will also get black gloss elements, including a black roof paint finish and darkened windows.