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2018 Volkswagen Atlas
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 42,475
Likes: 320
From: California
2018 Volkswagen Atlas
Volkswagen has been selling cars in the United States for 61 years. It's sold quirky cars, small cars, vans, and a few crossovers with odd names. Some are iconic. Some are obscure. A few have been toxic. Except for a few sold during periods of high fuel prices, none of them have ever truly matched the precise needs of American buyers. If the company has its way, that ends now. Meet the 2018 VW Atlas crossover.
This new three-row has room for up to seven passengers, a strong VR6 engine, and available all-wheel drive. Wrapped in boxy styling with prominent wheel arches, big lights front and rear, and lots of masculine lines and creases, it's the most American-centric vehicle VW has ever conceived.
"This is the biggest and boldest Volkswagen we have ever built in the United States, delivering the distinctive design and craftsmanship we're known for, now with room for seven," Hinrich Woebcken, CEO Volkswagen's North America region, said in a statement. "The Atlas marks a brand-new journey for Volkswagen to enter into the heart of the American market."
VW will begin assembling the Atlas in December at its expanded factory in Chattanooga, TN, and it will go on sale next spring. It uses the company's MQB architecture and measures 198.3 inches long, 77.9 inches wide, and 69.6 inches in height. By comparison, the 2017 Ford Explorer is the same length, 78.9 inches wide, and 70 inches tall. The Explorer, Dodge Durango, Toyota Highlander, Chevy Traverse, and Honda Pilot will be its chief rivals.
With those strapping utes as benchmarks and targets, VW went all out to create an SUV that wouldn't be embarrassed. The Atlas offers a 3.6-liter narrow-angle six-cylinder engine rated at 280 horsepower or a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 238 hp. Both come with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive is an option on the six-cylinder model. The AWD system can be configured depending on the driving conditions. Fuel economy ratings were not released.
The third row, arguably the most critical feature of the Atlas, has room for two adults. The seats fold forward on rails, easing entry, exit, and storage. We've sat back there ourselves – next to Woebcken, no less – and it's comfortable and accessible, as advertised. Up front, the driver gets an optional configurable digital cockpit. VW's Car-Net suite includes the App-Connect feature that pairs smartphones with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink technologies, and the most sophisticated Fender audio system the company has ever offered. Safety features include lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and parking assist. It also offers a post-collision accident system, which VW says activates the brakes when the airbags go off in a bid to lessen the damage.
The Atlas offers standard LED headlights and daytime running lights, and optional LED taillights. They punch up a design that looks vaguely like those of its competitors, yet still remains true to VW's traditional styling language – there's some Touareg and Tiguan in there.
This new three-row has room for up to seven passengers, a strong VR6 engine, and available all-wheel drive. Wrapped in boxy styling with prominent wheel arches, big lights front and rear, and lots of masculine lines and creases, it's the most American-centric vehicle VW has ever conceived.
"This is the biggest and boldest Volkswagen we have ever built in the United States, delivering the distinctive design and craftsmanship we're known for, now with room for seven," Hinrich Woebcken, CEO Volkswagen's North America region, said in a statement. "The Atlas marks a brand-new journey for Volkswagen to enter into the heart of the American market."
VW will begin assembling the Atlas in December at its expanded factory in Chattanooga, TN, and it will go on sale next spring. It uses the company's MQB architecture and measures 198.3 inches long, 77.9 inches wide, and 69.6 inches in height. By comparison, the 2017 Ford Explorer is the same length, 78.9 inches wide, and 70 inches tall. The Explorer, Dodge Durango, Toyota Highlander, Chevy Traverse, and Honda Pilot will be its chief rivals.
With those strapping utes as benchmarks and targets, VW went all out to create an SUV that wouldn't be embarrassed. The Atlas offers a 3.6-liter narrow-angle six-cylinder engine rated at 280 horsepower or a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 238 hp. Both come with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive is an option on the six-cylinder model. The AWD system can be configured depending on the driving conditions. Fuel economy ratings were not released.
The third row, arguably the most critical feature of the Atlas, has room for two adults. The seats fold forward on rails, easing entry, exit, and storage. We've sat back there ourselves – next to Woebcken, no less – and it's comfortable and accessible, as advertised. Up front, the driver gets an optional configurable digital cockpit. VW's Car-Net suite includes the App-Connect feature that pairs smartphones with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink technologies, and the most sophisticated Fender audio system the company has ever offered. Safety features include lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and parking assist. It also offers a post-collision accident system, which VW says activates the brakes when the airbags go off in a bid to lessen the damage.
The Atlas offers standard LED headlights and daytime running lights, and optional LED taillights. They punch up a design that looks vaguely like those of its competitors, yet still remains true to VW's traditional styling language – there's some Touareg and Tiguan in there.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,226
Likes: 222
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
After the scandal, who would buy the diesel?
In general, though, I like the conservative design inside and out, with the squarish/rectangle theme inside. I'm not a fan of either the jelly-bean look or excessive chisel-angles on some vehicles.
In general, though, I like the conservative design inside and out, with the squarish/rectangle theme inside. I'm not a fan of either the jelly-bean look or excessive chisel-angles on some vehicles.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 24
From: Washington
Is that a joke? VW has no interest in even trying to market diesels here anymore. They're going full steam ahead with electrification. I'd sooner expect a hybrid Atlas in the future.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,309
Likes: 31
From: Canada
The Atlas and the Q7 are built on different platforms. The Atlas is on the MQB, the transverse engine platform, like the smaller VWs and smaller Audis (A3). The Q7, like all larger Audis, is on the MLB, the longitudinal engine platform. They are 2 completely different vehicles.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,226
Likes: 222
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
The Atlas and the Q7 are built on different platforms. The Atlas is on the MQB, the transverse engine platform, like the smaller VWs and smaller Audis (A3). The Q7, like all larger Audis, is on the MLB, the longitudinal engine platform. They are 2 completely different vehicles.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 392
Likes: 3
From: Houston
from Autoblog: " VW will begin assembling the Atlas in December at its expanded factory in Chattanooga, TN, and it will go on sale next spring. It uses the company's MQB architecture and measures 198.3 inches long, 77.9 inches wide, and 69.6 inches in height. By comparison, the 2017 Ford Explorer is the same length, 78.9 inches wide, and 70 inches tall. The Explorer, Dodge Durango, Toyota Highlander, Chevy Traverse, and Honda Pilot will be its chief rivals. "
My choices for 3 row SUV in 2017:
1. Land Rover new Discovery
2. Honda Pilot vs VW Atlas
My choices for 3 row SUV in 2017:
1. Land Rover new Discovery
2. Honda Pilot vs VW Atlas
That was more like a joke but I do think VW makes good diesels though.
But I'm really surprised on VW still making new models after making the huge fine for the scandal.
They soon came out with a brand new model for the US, a very good one at that!
But I'm really surprised on VW still making new models after making the huge fine for the scandal.
They soon came out with a brand new model for the US, a very good one at that!
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 241
From: California
Very disappointing. A dated rendition of the piece of junk Mitsubishi Endeavor (see ugly fenders) and older Jeep Grand Cherokee. Frankestein front is particularly unattractive. At least the dash is clean, but it lost any style from concept to production. The base four cylinder is also underpowered. Maybe all this would have been okay if the vehicle was released ten years ago. But that's today's VW.... take six years to brew a car, release it elsewhere in the world for a few years, then give us the scraps. Yes, I know this hasn't sold anywhere else yet, but it may as well been, it's so dated.
Not off to a good start here at all. This is a hotly contested segment and there is ZERO room for errors. The only thing that will push these off the lot would be low pricing, but I doubt VW would be smart enough to pull that off.
Not off to a good start here at all. This is a hotly contested segment and there is ZERO room for errors. The only thing that will push these off the lot would be low pricing, but I doubt VW would be smart enough to pull that off.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 24
From: Washington
