Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Is a Hotter, Sportier Version of the 7-seat Atlas

TopSpeed

By Ciprian Florea

Published Mar 28, 2018

Five-seat model looks nothing like the big SUV

The highly-anticipated five-door version of the Volkswagen Atlas made its global debut at the 2018 New York Auto Show. But the new SUV is a bit different than we originally imagined it. For starters, the Germans unveiled a production-ready concept vehicle instead of the version we will find in dealerships starting 2019. Second, the Atlas Cross Sport looks nothing like the seven-seat Atlas. While the latter has a more utilitarian stance, this new SUV is sportier and shares some design cues with the Advanced mid-size SUV that Volkswagen just revealed in China.

While still a concept, the Atlas Cross Sport looks ready to go into production as none of its features are exaggerated. So it's safe to assume that the actual vehicle will retain most of the exterior design. If you were hoping to get a shorter, five-seat version of the boxy Atlas, there's a big chance you'll be disappointed. The Atlas Cross Sport was redesigned on a clean sheet with a sportier front end that includes trapezoidal headlamps and a trapezoidal grille arrangement, larger bumper vents, and a honeycomb-styled center intake. The beefed-up wheelarches are present on this model too, but the door handles were lowered on the beltline. A black insert just above the side skirts give it a more dynamic, while the roof, which is lower and shorter, has a coupe-like design and lacks the quarter window seen on most SUVs.

The rear fascia is a significant departure from the Atlas, with more angular taillights, a bigger tailgate spoiler, a smaller tailgate opening, and a sporty bumper with chrome surrounds around the exhaust pipes. The concept is 7.5 inches shorter than the seven-seat SUV, but it retains the same wheelbase. This means that VW reduces the overall length of the overhangs, which should provide ample legroom inside the cabin. The concept is also 1.5 wider, which helps with the sportier stance.

Styling-wise, the Atlas Cross Sport is to the Atlas what the Nissan Rogue Sport (Qashqai in Europe) is to the Rogue. Slightly smaller, with a sportier roof, and a few unique design features.

The interior seems based on the regular Atlas, but it has a more high-tech look thanks to the new A/C vents and the center stack fitted with touch controls. The dash has a narrower center section in Piano Black trim instead of wood veneer for a sportier, youthful appearance. Tech includes a 10.1-inch touchscreen with gesture control, a new navigation system, and an all-digital, 12.3-inch instrument cluster.

The concept car is different under the hood too, where the Atlas' 3.6-liter V-6 engine was paired with two electric motors. There's one at the front rated at 54 horsepower and 162 pound-feet, and one to the rear that cranks out 114 horses and 199 pound-feet. The system's total output amounts to 355 horsepower, which is enough to push the SUV from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, to go with a top speed of 130 mph. A mild hybrid powertrain is also in the books for the production model, this time around with a smaller battery and a 310-horsepower output. Volkswagen estimates the all-electric range to 26 miles.

The production vehicle is scheduled to be launched in the U.S. in 2019 and will be built alongside the seven-passenger Atlas and the Passat sedan in Chattanooga, Tennessee.