Volkswagen’s upcoming three-row, seven-seat SUV will reportedly be called the Atlas, according to Automobilwoche, the German-language affiliate of Automotive News. The production version of the CrossBlue Concept is also said to make its global reveal later this month – October 27.
Prior to this news, the new Volkswagen SUV was rumoured to adopt the ‘Teremont’ nameplate, but the company decided to go with a “much easier to pronounce, American-style name,” according to VW Group of America CEO Hinrich Woebcken in the report.
Therefore, the Atlas moves away from Volkswagen’s fixation of naming their SUVs with names that start with the letter ‘T’ – Touareg and Tiguan. “Two or three years ago, it would’ve been a no-go that the region decides an individual name. This is already an early sign that Wolfsburg is willing to let go,” said Woebcken.
The SUV will ride on the VW’s modular MQB platform, and will likely be powered by a range of petrol or diesel engines, with hybrid powertrains available as well (the concept which previewed it came with a diesel hybrid powertrain).
Volkswagen has already revealed that the Atlas will be built at the company’s factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the SUV will also be produced in China at one its jointly-operated plants there.
As for its looks, Chinese-made models have been spotted previously undisguised, and the Atlas appears to remain faithful to the original design of the CrossBlue Concept. The vehicle is said to be smaller than the Audi Q7, and will be positioned between the upcoming Tiguan LWB and the Touareg. In the United States, the Atlas will compete against the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander.
GALLERY: Volkswagen CrossBlue Concept
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