Triple delight

VW gets geared up for 242 with launch of ID.7, Tiguan, Touareg and 50 years of Golf, writes Philip Hedderman

Volkswagen is determined to stay top of the sales charts with the launch of three new models while also announcing plans for a very special anniversary.

First up is its flagship EV – a gargantuan estate called the ID.7 – which not only boasts enough room for the 2.4 kids, the dog and all that luggage, it also claims to have a range of up to 700km.

Sitting at a hulking five metres long, this load-lugger is substantially bigger than the current Passat estate and manages to trump it on styling, thanks to a sloping roofline and stonking 19in rims.

Inside, the designers stuck closely to the ID handbook with a minimalist look that features the tiniest instrument display (speed, range and cruise-control readings), while a 15in touchscreen is home to the car’s infotainment system.

It also comes with augmented head-up display and the cabin bathes in ambient lighting (a choice of 30 colours) at night.

Nestled in the floor is the 77kWh battery pack, which generates 286bhp and a sprint from 0-100kmh in 6.5 seconds.

The cavernous boot can accommodate 532 litres of luggage and with the seats folded flat, this will triple to 1,586 litres.

Order books are open now for those wishing for a 242plate, with prices starting at €56,490 including government grants.

Second up is a firm favourite with Irish mums out there – the mighty Tiguan.

Now in its third generation, the new mid-sized crossover not only gets a bit of a redesign, it’s also first to be treated to a heavily revised plug-in hybrid system that will see it travel 116km on pure electric alone.

Under the bonnet is a 1.5 litre petrol engine that, combined with the 85kW electric motor, generates 204bhp and 350Nm of torque. It also boast a towing capacity of 1,800kg.

In a bid to make it a tad more luxurious, the top models get front seats from the Touareg (with massage function) and the same 15in touchscreen from the ID.7.

It has also borrowed the gear-select lever in front of the steering – freeing up lots of space in the centre console for phone, cups and bits and bobs.

On board the space is exceptional, especially in the rear thanks to tilt/slide option on back pews, but the boot in the e-Hybrid is reduced from 642 to 490 litres.

Prices for the Tiguan e-hybrid starts from €54,250.

Also getting the battery/petrol combo is VW’s star trooper – the Touareg – only this time, it’s a case of “go big, or go home”.

With that in mind, the engineers at Wolfsburg twinned a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged petrol engine with a 100kWh battery for a face-peeling 462bhp and emissions of just 51g/km.

Although a PHEV, this monster also bears the R logo in the front grille, but there are other subtle hints to its performance pedigree.

For starters, it gets savage 22in rims, blue brake callipers and smoked rear light clusters.

Inside, you’ll be treated to leather upholstery finished in blue stitching and piping, and dark aluminium inserts in the dash.

The only downside is the price, which starts at €104,775.

If that’s too rich, then maybe a 50th anniversary edition Golf may suit your budget.

The face-lifted MK8 features an illuminated front badge, a new bumper, bespoke 18in alloys, new LEDs and tail lights with dynamic indicators, tinted rear windows and a 3-D 50 badge on the door pillar.

Inside, there’s the 50 logo in the sills, steering and sporty black roof-liner.

The special model with all those extras will cost just €500 more, bring the price to €37,500.