Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy website Volkswagen debuts Atlas Cross Sport concept at the New York International Auto Show
april 03, 2018 - Volkswagen

Volkswagen debuts Atlas Cross Sport concept at the New York International Auto Show

  • Concept previews a five-seater #Atlas #SUV built off the MQB platform
  • Production of the five-seater #Atlas will start in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 2019
  • Atlas Cross Sport concept is 7.5 inches shorter than the #Atlas, retains same wheelbase
  • The concept uses a plug-in hybrid drive system, with two electric motors, a V6 gasoline engine, and 355 horsepower
  • A conventional mild hybrid drive system would produce 310 horsepower
  • Atlas five-seater shows that #Volkswagen has a serious #SUV strategy

 

Wolfsburg / #newyork (March 27, 2018) — Volkswagen is about to ignite the next stage of its global #SUV strategy. After recently showing the new Touareg in Europe and China, #Volkswagen is now debuting a new version of the #Atlas #SUV at the #newyork International #auto Show: the #Atlas Cross Sport concept.

The new #Atlas Cross Sport concept is a five-seat version of the midsize #SUV that went on sale in the U.S. in 2017 as a seven-seater. The near-production concept car features a coupe-like profile, an even sportier stance, and a plug-in hybrid drivetrain with 355 horsepower and an anticipated 26 miles of all-electric range. A conventional mild hybrid version of the same powertrain would make 310 hp. The actual production vehicle is scheduled to be launched in the U.S. market starting in 2019, and will be built alongside the seven-passenger #Atlas and the Passat sedan in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

An innovative range of SUVs is an important element in Volkswagen’s growth strategy for the U.S. market, alongside new products such as the 2019 Jetta.  The latest sales figures show the importance of the new #SUV models: In February, 54 percent of Volkswagen’s American customers chose a Tiguan or an #Atlas. #Volkswagen of America will further increase the market share of its #SUV fleet with new models such as the production version of the #Atlas Cross Sport concept and the all-electric I.D. CROZZ that has been announced for 2020.

Design

The concept vehicle is 190.8 inches long, 68.3 inches tall and 79.9 inches wide. The powerful exterior is marked at the front by a two-bar grille instead of the three bars on the seven-passenger #Atlas. In both vehicles, the LED headlights and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) are an integral part of the radiator grille and a key feature of the new midsize #Volkswagen #SUV family. Unlike the #Atlas seven-seater, the grille crossbars are also illuminated in white and operate as LED DRLs.

The profile of the #Atlas Cross Sport concept combines powerful proportions with sleekly raked C-pillars, as well as short front and rear overhangs. The roof spoiler, which has black side fins, is another distinctive element. The way that the character line transitions directly into the wide, flared wheelarches serves to emphasize its power and presence.

The rear wheelarch on the driver's side features the ‘filler cap’ for connecting the charging plug for the lithium-ion battery; the one on the other side houses an actual fuel filler neck. The 22-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, which are shod with 285/40 tires, have high-gloss polished spokes for a truly premium look.

After flowing through the wheelarches, the character line transitions into an aluminum accent at the rear of the vehicle. LED taillights are positioned above this trim line. The horizontal design motif continues with an aluminum trim piece that extends laterally across the bumper, and into exaggerated tailpipe surrounds, which mirror the taillights above. The vehicle features a low sill height of 33.3 inches for ease of loading.

Further information in the press release to download