Volkswagen's barrage of SUVs continues. A new five seat and sportier version of the Volkswagen Atlas crossover is on the way. This is our first look at the concept that will be unveiled at the New York auto show at the end of the month.
Based on the MQB platform that underpins most of the current Volkswagen lineup, the new crossover will be a variant of the Atlas. But the five-seat Atlas is more than just a three-row Atlas with the third row removed.
Think of it sort of like the first-generation Range Rover Sport and the full-size Range Rover. Or maybe the Chevrolet Tahoe and the Suburban. Looks mostly the same, but more sporting. Volkswagen would probably prefer the first comparison though. Look at it from the front, and a VW spokesperson told us it would look like the Atlas. But the rear will be new, and it will have a different profile.
The new version of the Atlas is designed and engineered for the American market, which in this case means North American. The vehicle will be coming to Canada. VW America President and CEO Hinrich Woebcken announced the five-seat Atlas earlier today at the Chattanooga, TN, factory where the crossover will be built. In addition to the two Atlas variants, the plant also builds the midsize Passat sedan.
The new big crossover will sell alongside the also just-announced new tiny crossover, which will be assembled in Mexico for our market.
The concept version of the five-seat Atlas, expected to look much like the production version, will be officially unveiled next week at the New York International Auto Show.
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