Volkswagen maps out all-new seven-seat Atlas SUV
New VW large-SUV brings more space and seven seats to the USA this Spring, with Russia and the Middle East to follow
Volkswagen is launching an all-new seven-seat large-SUV in North America, that will sit between the Tiguan and Touareg. It’ll be made at VW’s American Chattanooga (Tennessee) factory and will be launched this Spring.
Called the Atlas, it gets a unique front end to the current passenger vehicle range, although it is similar to the Amarok pick-up truck and features LED headlights as standard. The backend resembles the latest Tiguan.
It measures in at 5037mm long, 1979mm wide and 1768mm high, meaning it’ll be the largest VW on sale in the USA, yet will be priced between the Tiguan and Touareg.
Inside, there are three rows of seats with space for seven passengers and their luggage. It has a familiar VW interior, including a neat and tidy design, gets VW’s latest infotainment system and has controls and dials from other VW models.
The Atlas gets two powertrains; a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TSI petrol (gasoline) engine which develops 235bhp (238PS); and a 3.6-litre VR6 engine with 276bhp (280PS). Each engine gets an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Available with either front-wheel or 4Motion all-wheel-drive traction, the latter of which comes with VW’s drive mode selector.
Available equipment includes: active info display (called the "Volkswagen Digital Cockpit" in the USA); Fender sound system (with twelve speakers and a 480 Watt amplifier); adaptive cruise control; forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking; blind spot monitor with rear traffic alert; lane departure warning; and parking steering assist.
“This is the biggest and boldest Volkswagen we have ever built in the United States, delivering the distinctive design and craftsmanship we’re known for, now with room for seven,” said Hinrich J. Woebcken, Volkswagen CEO of North America Region.
Arriving in North America in Spring 2017, it’ll then be launched in Russia and Middle Eastern markets by the end of the year.
