New York Motor Show 2018: Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept Unveiled

After showing the new Touareg in Europe and China, Volkswagen unveiled a new version of the Atlas SUV at the 2018 New York International Auto Show- the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport concept. The new Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport concept is a five-seat version of the midsize SUV that went on sale in the US last year as a seven-seater. The near-production concept car features a coupe-like profile, an even sportier stance, a plug-in hybrid drivetrain with 350 bhp and an anticipated 42 kms of all-electric range.

(New York Motor Show: Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept Unveiled)

Also Read: New-Gen Volkswagen Touareg SUV Makes Its Global Premiere

Built on Volkswagen's modular transverse matrix (MQB) platform, the exterior is marked at the front by a two-bar grille instead of the three bars on the seven-passenger Atlas. In both vehicles, the LED headlights and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) are an integral part of the radiator grille and a key feature of the new midsize Volkswagen SUV family. Unlike the Atlas seven-seater, the grille crossbars are also illuminated in white and operate as LED DRLs. In profile, the Atlas Cross Sport concept comes with sleekly raked C-pillars, as well as short front and rear overhangs. The roof spoiler, which has black side fins, is another distinctive element. The rear wheel arch on the driver's side features the filler cap for connecting the charging plug for the lithium-ion battery; the one on the other side houses an actual fuel filler neck. The 22-inch aluminum-alloy wheels have high-gloss polished spokes for a premium look.

(New York Motor Show: Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept Unveiled)

Also Read: Volkswagen Atlas-Based Five-Seater SUV Teased; Debut At New York Auto Show

On the inside, the Volkswagen Atlas Sport Cross concept gets horizontal design; coupled by the instrument panel and infotainment screens. The infotainment system touchscreen is located high on the instrument panel. The driver and front passenger can manage all infotainment functions and the basic vehicle configuration via a 10.1-inch touchscreen with proximity sensors and gesture control. It also gets 4 driving modes- Snow, Sport, On-road or Off-road. The 12.3-inch Volkswagen Digital Cockpit has graphics that change according to the selected drive mode-for instance, if you are in 'E-Mode,' driving on electric power. The Digital Cockpit display can be reconfigured to show information on driving, navigation and assistance functions as necessary. The driver can also transfer data shown on the touchscreen, such as telephone contact images or CD covers, to the display. The area below the infotainment system and the Digital Cockpit is upgraded by a horizontal trim strip made of brushed aluminum, which runs across the whole width of the interior. As with the infotainment system, a touchscreen is used for climate control settings, including those for the seat heating and ventilation.

(New York Motor Show: Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept Unveiled)

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At the heart of the Atlas Cross Sport concept is the same 3.6-liter V6 FSI engine sourced from the 7-seater Atlas that has the ability to churn out 270 bhp of max power and 360 NM of peak torque. In the Cross Sport concept, this engine is boosted by two electric motors. The front motor develops 54 bhp and 219 NM, and the rear motor makes 114 bhp and 269 NM. A conventional mild hybrid version of the same powertrain would make 303 bhp.

The actual production vehicle is scheduled to be launched in the US market starting in 2019, and will be built alongside the seven-passenger Atlas and the Passat sedan in Chattanooga, Tennessee.