Volkswagen Atlas Tanoak Could Preview U.S.-spec Pickup Truck

TopSpeed

By Ciprian Florea

Published Mar 28, 2018

Is this VW's future proposition for the F-150 and Silverado?

Volkswagen has been selling the Amarok pickup truck since 2010, but the midsize is still restricted to European, South American, and African markets as of 2018. This has caused great frustration in the U.S., where truck enthusiasts have been clamoring for a North American version since the Amarok's introduction. VW still doesn't show signs that it wants to sell the Amarok in the U.S., but American buyers may get access to a truck soon, as the company just unveiled a concept vehicle with a bed at the 2018 New York Auto Show. Called the Atlas Tanoak, it's based on the relatively new Atlas SUV and could preview the brand's next-generation pickup truck.

The fact that this concept is based on the Atlas hauler is far from surprising. Rumors about an Atlas truck have been flying around ever since the SUV was unveiled and we already created a rendering and a speculative review of it. But although it's based on the Atlas, the Tanoak looks significantly different inside and out. Blending styling cues from both the Atlas SUV and the Atlas Cross Sport concept, the Tanoak boasts an aggressive front end with sleek headlamps and a rugged bumper. It also showcases a unique lighting pattern.

It also sports bespoke wheel arch extensions, made from rugged plastic that incorporate integrated side marker lights, and high-gloss 20-inch wheels finished in aluminum and black. Another unique feature is a rail that slides the length of the bed to double as a carrier for things like canoes and ladders. Although built on the same platform, the Tanoak concept is 15.8 inches longer than the Atlas, which makes it a midsize truck by U.S. standards.

The interior is also sportier than the Atlas, being closely related to the Atlas Cross Sport concept. The large A/C vents with a honeycomb grille and the bright yellow stripes on the dashboard and door panels are particularly interesting, but the concept also seems to sport large amounts of leather for a premium look. The instrument cluster, center console, and steering wheel are heavily redesigned from the Atlas SUV.

The truck is motivated by the same 3.6-liter V-6 as the Atlas SUV, rated at 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of twist. The mill mates to an eight-speed automatic transmission and the company's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.

Volkswagen claims that it has no plans to turn the Atlas Tanoak in a production model, but that it is "keen to gauge the reactions of buyers and media since pickup trucks are one of the biggest volume segments in the U.S." The chances are that the Tanoak will replace the Amarok and come to the U.S. too.

References

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