MOTORING NEWS - Car buyers seem to have an unquenchable thirst for SUVs and Volkswagen is obliging, by previewing a new Atlas concept at the New York International Auto Show.
Like the Atlas mid-size SUV that went on sale last year in North America, the Atlas Cross Sport concept is built on VW's MQB platform, but seats five instead of seven and features a plug-in hybrid powertrain delivering 265kW and around 42km of all-electric range.
Described as a "near-production concept," the Atlas Cross Sport should provide a pretty good indication of the actual production version that is scheduled to hit the US market next year. At 484,6cm long, 202,9cm wide and 173,5cm tall, the concept is 19cm shorter and 3cm lower than the Atlas, but 5cm wider, contributing to a sportier stance from its coupé-like profile.
The current Atlas is powered by a 2,0-litre inline-four or a 3,6-liter V6 engine generating 206kW and 361Nm of torque. The Cross Sport concept makes use of that same V6, but this is supplemented with two electric motors mounted front and rear that are powered by an 18-kWh lithium-ion battery located in the centre tunnel.
The front engine produces 40kW and 220Nm of torque, while the rear brings 85kW and 270Nm to the table. VW says this results in a plug-in hybrid drive train taking the vehicle from 0 to 96,5km in 5,4 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 209km.
The automaker also points out that because the concept is built on the MQB platform, it is compatible with a wide variety of drive systems.
Source: Volkswagen
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