VW ID.7 Pro S manages 585 miles in one go - at 18 mph

585 miles: That's how far a VW ID.7 Pro S has now travelled without recharging. That is almost a third more range than according to the WLTP standard. This shows that one battery charge can take you significantly further than the official value. However, the record drive took place under conditions that have little in common with real traffic.

It was driven on the well-known high-speed race track in Nardò in southern Italy. But not at top speed, but at an average speed of 18 mph. According to VW, this corresponds to typical rush hour speeds in large cities, and the brand is probably right.

VW ID.7 Pro S: Photo of the touchscreen after the 33-hour record drive

Photo by: Volkswagen

However, we dare to doubt that the electric car drove in the stop-and-go mode typical of big cities. Because according to the photo published by VW, the record journey took 33 hours and 15 minutes. At an average speed of 18 mph, the car would have travelled 600 miles. The difference can probably be explained by the necessary driver changes alone - presumably four, assuming an eight-hour working day.

In addition, VW apparently deliberately did not want to simulate a real traffic situation. Instead, they wanted to test the maximum efficiency of the model, according to Volkswagen. The outside temperature of five to 15 degrees Celsius was not ideal for this purpose, but at the time of the test drive (in December) it was no warmer even while located on the heel of the Italian boot.

VW ID.7 Pro S before the test drive: the tailgate is sealed

Photo by: Volkswagen

The VW ID.7 Pro S was technically in standard condition. This means that it had a battery with a net capacity of 86 kWh and the familiar permanent magnet synchronous motor with 286 PS in the rear. The WLTP range is 441 miles. No other electric VW even comes close to this range - apart from the Tourer with the same battery.

At Nardò, the car managed 585 miles, which is 144 miles or 32.7 per cent more than the standard. This is probably due to the few acceleration phases and the low air resistance at 18 mph. The average consumption was just 9.2 kWh/100 km (6.75 mi/kWh), as the touchscreen photo above also shows. This on-board computer figure cannot be compared with the WLTP standard value, as it always includes charging losses, which are often in the region of 10 per cent in an electric car. 

Converted into diesel, the result corresponds to around one litre per 100 km (282 mpg), according to the VW press release. A sideswipe in the direction of Mercedes? The star brand recently presented its CLA as a one-litre car of electromobility. Incidentally, the mid-range saloon should be able to cover 466 miles according to the standard, i.e. around 25 miles more than the VW ID.7.

The standard consumption of the ID. 7 Pro S is specified in the configurator as 14.0 kWh/100 km (4.43 mi/kWh), while in the press release VW speaks of 13.6 to 16.2 kWh (4.56 to 3.84 mi/kWh). More economical in the segment are the Lucid Air Pure (13.0 kWh) and the Tesla Model 3 RWD (13.2 kWh).

Gallery: VW ID.7 Tourer Pro S (2024) in the test

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Source: Volkswagen

More range records:

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UK: Fiat E-Scudo sets new record for longest distance driven by a van on a charge

The bottom line

585 miles: No, that's not the standard range of the Lucid Air, which manages 597 miles. It is the result of a record test with the VW ID.7. Apparently, four drivers had to drive in circles for eight hours each - at an average speed of 18 mph. Time enough to ponder the purpose of the whole thing. Perhaps it was to counter Mercedes' somewhat boastful "one-litre car of electromobility". Just marketing...