Overview with Specifications
Volkswagen has recently released the 2018 Atlas, which is the first 7 passenger SUV offered from the brand, and thus far, it has proven to be quite the juggernaut. With nearly 300 horsepower the Atlas has great low end power which makes passing on the highway a breeze. Most vehicles this size will be harsh on fuel, but since the Atlas is built on the famous MQB platform, with the same VR6 engine design we have seen in the Touareg, you can expect to see 10L/100km on the highway.
The Atlas, like the other all-wheel drive Volkswagen’s, will use the same system as Audi’s Quattro, called Haldex. This is a front-wheel drive biased system, until the vehicle detects any slip; delivering up to 100% of the power to whichever wheel needs it the most.
Capacity
The generously sized interior will fit 7 adults comfortably, and it boasts the easiest third row entry on the market with the fold-and-slide technology. Unlike the Japanese and Domestic counterparts, this feature lets you keep a booster, or car seat, installed in the second row while an adult can easily walk into the third row with room to spare.
Looking for physical volume for cargo and storage? You and a passenger can fold down the rear five seats offering an unbelievable 97 cubic feet of room! The average refrigerator can hold a little over 18 cubic feet, so picture your kitchen fridge, multiplied by 5, and that is what you can store inside the Atlas!
On The Road
Car and Driver described the Atlas as a ‘quiet, polished and luxurious driving experience’. With a low center of gravity, and nimble handling you never feel top heavy behind the wheel. This segment of SUV is infamous for body roll, and poor cornering; however, the Atlas however, puts an end to that stigma! With the lightweight, narrow angle VR6 low down in the engine bay, and supported by the MQB platform, this Atlas drives very similar to the rest of Volkswagens lineup that everyone knows and loves. With a short dash and well put together interior, the driver’s feet are no further away in the Atlas than they are in the Golf, Sportwagen, or Tiguan. This allows the Atlas to be nimble, yet massive.
Inside and Out
With standard LED headlights and taillights, the aggressive body lines and rugged North-American styling, the Atlas makes an amazing addition to anyone’s garage.
Looking for the latest in technology? Look no further with a gorgeous 8” touch screen, standard heated seats, air conditioning, back-up camera, app-connect and much more. If you like something a little more fully loaded you can get a beautiful panoramic sunroof, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and rear heated seats. Still not enough? Try out Volkswagen’s all new digital cockpit, lane assist, adaptive cruise control, and a 360 degree area view for simple parking and manoeuvring tight parking lots.
With the customizable driver profiles, you and your partner can each use your own key fob, and set your preferences into the key; such as, seat adjustment, climate controls, radio settings, and the views on the digital cockpit. This makes those rushed mornings a breeze because you don’t need to worry about adjusting anything when you need to borrow or share the vehicle.
Conclusion
Did Volkswagen step out of their comfort zone designing such a large SUV? With the familiar MQB chassis and other shared parts we think Volkswagen hit it out of the park with the new Atlas. Come check out the new large SUV that has the automotive industry talking!
Drive it, you’ll get it.