The all-new Volkswagen Atlas large SUV will lead the brand's fightback in the US following the dieselgate emissions scandal.
The Atlas arrives after a lengthy development period and will be sold in the US market, but not in Europe. It gets a muscular design to match US preferences, which is inspired by the design of the Crossblue concept that was first shown three years ago.
The Atlas has squared-off daytime running lights and a thick front grille, with muscular wheel arches and sharp tail-lights. The car’s look is distinctive and quite different to the rest of Volkswagen’s range, emphasising the effort the car maker has made in appealing to American buyers.
Engines and gearbox
At launch, the Atlas comes with the choice of two engines: a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder TSI with 238bhp and a 3.6-litre six-cylinder VR6 with 280bhp. Both units send drive exclusively through an eight-speed automatic transmission, but the 2.0-litre has two-wheel drive only while the larger VR6 can be specified with 4Motion four-wheel drive. This technology offers several drive modes to improve traction and performance on varying surface conditions.
Technical specifications
The Atlas is based on the Volkswagen Group's MQB architecture, but it's significantly larger than its siblings; at 4922mm long, the Atlas is 225mm lengthier than the Skoda Kodiaq and even 121mm longer than the current largest Volkswagen SUV, the Volkswagen Touareg.
The Atlas is 1979mm wide and 1767mm high, making it 38mm wider and 35mm taller than the Touareg. Not only is it larger than any VW passenger car on sale in Europe, it’s also Volkswagen’s largest US model, too.
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A conservative attempt to gain back buyers?
It looks rather generic and mediocre, could be mistaken for a Toyota.
The double vision fender creases is rather odd and forced while the front end sports a very American truck look. Overall its a rather safe and conservative look.
While it's larger than the Touareg it looks a lot less luxurious, so it will be interesting where it will fit in VW's model line.
A conservative attempt to gain back buyers?
It looks rather generic and mediocre, could be mistaken for a Toyota.
The double vision fender creases is rather odd and forced while the front end sports a very American truck look. Overall its a rather safe and conservative look.
While it's larger than the Touareg it looks a lot less luxurious, so it will be interesting where it will fit in VW's model line.
A conservative attempt to gain back buyers?
It looks rather generic and mediocre, could be mistaken for a Toyota.
The double vision fender creases is rather odd and forced while the front end sports a very American truck look. Overall its a rather safe and conservative look.
While it's larger than the Touareg it looks a lot less luxurious, so it will be interesting where it will fit in VW's model line.
A conservative attempt to gain back buyers?
It looks rather generic and mediocre, could be mistaken for a Toyota.
The double vision fender creases is rather odd and forced while the front end sports a very American truck look. Overall its a rather safe and conservative look.
While it's larger than the Touareg it looks a lot less luxurious, so it will be interesting where it will fit in VW's model line.