Volkswagen have revealed the 2018 Atlas SUV, available with a choice of petrol and hybrid drivelines complete with seven seats.
The new Atlas from Volkswagen will arrive as a 2018 model in the US market. The departure from diesel and the focus on electric-assisted propulsion is clear. Even Audi will be out of the World Endurance Championship and concentrate their efforts on Formula E. The paradigm shift from the once clean-diesel masters to petrol-electric hybrids is one that was communicated in their design and future models, as well as by their word at various motor shows, including Tokyo 2015.
The CrossBlue Concept was one that made many developing markets sit up and take notice. Indeed a crossover is now among the most wanted body types today, and the demand for more practical and better value models is increasing. The Atlas builds on the foundation of the CrossBlue and on the MQB platform and will sit between the Tiguan and the Touareg.
Measuring 5,037 mm long, 1,979 mm wide and 1,768 mm high, the Atlas is the largest Volkswagen available in the US. The interior room is more than enough for seven passengers, and the Atlas also incorporates easy seat configuration, allowing easy access to the third row. Individual folding seats make it easy to manage a variety of cargo and luggage as well. The active info-console is a new Volkswagen Digital Cockpit and allows the driver to configure the display to communicate the most vital or preferred information. The inclusion of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink also makes connectivity easier no matter what device you prefer. A Fender premium sound system is also on offer.
The safety tech list has also grown exponentially to include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Front Assist: forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking; a blind-spot monitor with Rear Traffic Alert, Lane Assist lane departure warning as well as well as the Park Assist parking steering assistant. There is standard ABS with EBD and Brake Assist as well as the full complement of airbags. Convenience and essential safety, then, are well taken care off. The Atlas is also the only vehicle in its class to offer the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically initiates vehicle deceleration when a collision is detected by the airbag sensors, thus helping reduce residual kinetic energy and, in turn, any chances of additional damage.
Powering the Atlas are, initially at least, a choice of two drivelines: a 2.0-litre TSI four-cylinder petrol with 238 PS, or a VR6 3.6-litre V6 with 280 PS. Both use an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is the norm, but 4MOTION all-wheel-drive is available with the V6.
The Atlas will become available in Russia and the Middle East by the end of next year.
Story: Jim Gorde
