► VW Atlas Cross Concept
► Five-seat SUV concept
► Production model due in 2019
VW is cranking out enough SUVs for the whole industry, let alone just the one brand. This is the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport concept – a five-seat, coupe-like version of the so-called ‘mid-size’ Atlas SUV in the States.
You can see why VW wants to keep the SUV gravy train going across the pond – 54% of VW USA customers bought a Tiguan or Atlas in February 2018. The Atlas Cross Sport is designed to bridge the gap between those two, providing SUV punters reason not to buy a BMW X4, for example.
Along with the coupe profile, other design cues include illuminated grille bars – it is a concept remember – plus a finned rear spoiler and matte silver grille fins. Inside, the cockpit has a similar layout and style to that of the all-new Touareg, with an enormous screen dominating the clean dashboard, slab-like gear selector and drive mode dial.
The Cross Sport runs on VW’s MQB architecture and uses a 3.6-litre FSI engine already found in the regular Atlas, but mated to two electric motors to boost power for a GTE drive system. All in all, the hybridised powertrain makes 355bhp, and VW claims an EV range of up to 26 miles from the 18kWh battery.
This won’t just remain a concept, mind – VW has already confirmed that it will make production alongside the Passat and Atlas at VW’s Chattanooga plant in Tennessee. We’ll see the production version in 2019.