Volkswagen Atlas Tanoak – MQB-based pick-up truck

Aside from a sporty-looking SUV, Volkswagen also rolled out a pick-up truck concept at this year’s New York International Auto Show. Called the Atlas Tanoak, it is the first truck to be underpinned by the brand’s MQB platform, and is named after a species of tree that is native to the Pacific Coast.

According to official figures, the Tanoak is 5,438 mm long, 2,030 mm wide and 1,844 mm tall, which places it in the mid-size pick-up category in the United States. The concept features a dual cab design with a rear cargo box that measures 1,627 mm in length, 1,450 in width and 530 mm in height.

Like the Atlas Cross Sport concept, the Tanoak’s headlamps are framed by LED daytime running lights that link up over two crossbars. Even the side inlets feature a lit outer ring, with large ‘Atlas’ lettering between them.

The rugged theme continues with a raised bonnet, front skid plate, chunky tyres and a dedicated front winch within the bumper. The dual exhaust outlets at the back may appear very odd for a pick-up truck, while more LEDs frame the width of the truck bed.

The cabin appears to be a heavily revised version of the one in the Atlas SUV, but still retains things like the digital display instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment system. Additional items like the lengthy ambient lighting strip aren’t characteristic of pick-ups but help create a more luxurious interior.

Motivation comes in the form of a 3.6 litre V6 FSI engine that serves up 280 PS and 350 Nm of torque. Drive goes to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and a 4Motion all-wheel drive system.

Volkswagen says the Tanoak concept is just for show, and there’s no clear production plan behind it yet – the Amarok isn’t sold in the U.S. In a report by Roadshow, Volkswagen’s North American CEO, Hinrich J. Woebcken, said, “our intention is to demonstrate that we very seriously look into the American needs. Volkswagen wants to be part of this market much more seriously than in the past.”

“It all depends now if this market will appreciate more unibody pickup tucks,” Woebcken said. “The C segment is a very high commercial use segment. Almost 70% of those vehicles are used in a commercial environment,” he added.

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Learn more: 2018 New York International Auto Show