New PHEV T7 beach tour in Barcelona. 2 shocking findings.

[Adam8374]

Hi, Adam here. Living in Spain. Just got our new t7 phev 4 motion beach tour. I've already been shocked by two problems.

1. Useful load. It's only 480kgs and for this reason it only has 4 seats. I'll try to get 5th seat anyway, but the low useful load is very limiting.

2. The auxiliary heater runs on gas. I was expecting it to run from the hi-volt battery. Honestly it was the reason why I purchased phev (and considered id buzz). - I don't want to breath the poisonous exhaust gas while sleeping. It nonsensical. It adds weight and complexity, while an electric heater is already inside.

Otherwise, the ride and the space of the Cali is pleasant.

I haven't read the forums yet. I hope someone figures out how to hack some features, especially how to utilize the hi-voltage battery for camping more.

 

[sidepod]

. - I don't want to breath the poisonous exhaust gas while sleeping. It nonsensical.

I think you might be just a tad paranoid there!

 

[kave]

What battery size? The original battery had a capacity of 10kwh usable capacity. The heater in my T6 is 3.5kw, so at full power your battery could power the heater for 2hours plus at maximum power. VW is so bad at anything EV, compare any Tesla with its camp mode vs the non existent heating on the ID buzz

 

[Adam8374]

This new phev 1.5tsi 4 motion has 19.7kwh usable capacity (and I think 25 total). That'd last some 5hrs. (and we'd probably rarely need max power).

Yeah, the nonexistent camp mode was the main reason why to go for t7 phev instead. At least for me.

 

[WelshGas]

This new phev 1.5tsi 4 motion has 19.7kwh usable capacity (and I think 25 total). That'd last some 5hrs. (and we'd probably rarely need max power).

Yeah, the nonexistent camp mode was the main reason why to go for t7 phev instead. At least for me.

1. The vehicle AirCon/Heating can be run from the EV battery for 30 mins at a time depending on the state of charge of the EV battery. All in the Handbook and set up on the Infotainment screen.
2. Unless you lie under the vehicle with your nose next to the exhaust of the IC Parking Heater you would not be breathing in exhaust fumes when operating the Heater. It takes air from outside of the vehicle for combustion which heats a heat exchanger and then exhausts outside the vehicle. Air from inside the vehicle passes over the heat exchanger and back into the vehicle via the heating vents. The 2 streams of gases never meet or mix.
3. Petrol or Diesel are more efficient for heating than electric in this case.

 

[Adam8374]

Do you know if the 30 mins battery heater heats through a resistive element or if it can use the ac heatpump which would be more energy-efficient?

 

[WelshGas]

Do you know if the 30 mins battery heater heats through a resistive element or if it can use the ac heatpump which would be more energy-efficient?

As far as I am aware it uses the AC system.

 

[mityacor]

@Adam8374
I'll try to get 5th seat anyway

Did you manage to get the 5th seat? And do homologation?

 

[Wannabecamperman]

What battery size? The original battery had a capacity of 10kwh usable capacity. The heater in my T6 is 3.5kw, so at full power your battery could power the heater for 2hours plus at maximum power. VW is so bad at anything EV, compare any Tesla with its camp mode vs the non existent heating on the ID buzz

That strikes me as crazy power. We use a 600w oil-filled radiator that could do a week on the usable PHEV battery if only the T7 PHEV allowed V2L as so many other EV campers now do.

And the 600w rad has a super thermostat too, so needs far less than that per hour to maintain a nice temp, outside temps dependant of course.

 

[Californication69]

I think you might be just a tad paranoid there!

Hope he’s not parking in French lay-bys.
That’s where they get you’s with the gas init ?

 

[Adam8374]

@Adam8374
I'll try to get 5th seat anyway

Did you manage to get the 5th seat? And do homologation?

not yet. but watching allegro for offers. there are sets of multiple seats for sale from time to time. watching for just one seet, with integrated seatbelt and in same fabric that I have. i'm not in hurry, we have another car that can carry 5....
(and i don't plan to do homologation - i'd use it just once a year, I think i risk it without it).

 

[Huddy]

Hi, Adam here. Living in Spain. Just got our new t7 phev 4 motion beach tour. I've already been shocked by two problems.

1. Useful load. It's only 480kgs and for this reason it only has 4 seats. I'll try to get 5th seat anyway, but the low useful load is very limiting.

2. The auxiliary heater runs on gas. I was expecting it to run from the hi-volt battery. Honestly it was the reason why I purchased phev (and considered id buzz). - I don't want to breath the poisonous exhaust gas while sleeping. It nonsensical. It adds weight and complexity, while an electric heater is already inside.

Otherwise, the ride and the space of the Cali is pleasant.

I haven't read the forums yet. I hope someone figures out how to hack some features, especially how to utilize the hi-voltage battery for camping more.

The high voltage battery only helps I believe with aircon if fitted. Otherwise it is only for hybrid/EV driving.