The American VolkswagenChief Hinrich J. Woebcken must feel a little like a penalty shooter who starts for the all-important shot. One who just has to meet. If he misses, there is a risk of relegation from the first division. Historic Santa Monica Pier, the end point of the equally famous Route 66, is the arena for VW's showdown in the United States. If the VW Atlas shown here for the first time is a flop, it was probably for the Germans in the second largest car market in the world. Only a new SUV that gets into the hearts of critical Americans can perhaps make the anger and disappointment of diesel fraud a thing of the past.
From this perspective, the choice of name is probably not accidental. In the Greek legend, muscle man Atlas has to bear all the burden of the world on his shoulders. A similarly important role is intended in the USA for the rolling Atlas, which is also quite impressive at 5,04 meters in length. He must turn the corner and convince the Americans that VW builds honest and good cars.
Of course, a new model for the important US market must be a flawless SUV, preferably built on site. So far, VW has had nothing to offer in contrast to the domestic and Asian competition, the bad word of "oversleeping" made the rounds. VW relied on two normal car models for far too long: Jetta and US-Passat initially sold brilliantly, but could only score until the diesel bomb exploded. Since the limousines were often in the engine compartment with the mock pack, sales of the two models dropped dramatically.
VW has woken from shock and accelerated the development of the Atlas, which fits exactly into the loot scheme of the Americans who are currently so keen to buy. High-rise for a good all-round view thanks to the raised seating position, a package of comfort, combined with a huge trunk, in which there is even space for a third row of seats. In spite of the off-road vehicle look, four-wheel drive is not absolutely necessary, but is gladly taken. Of course, a standard automatic system is also mandatory. And finally, such a model SUV boy must also be able to communicate with the outside world. The keyword is networking via smartphone. The new VW is also said to be able to keep up with prices with its countless rivals on the US market. Which suggests that he changes hands for around $ 30.000. Officially, the price of the Atlas should be announced in a good two weeks.
The newcomer, US boss Woebcken says, offers all of these prerequisites: "This is the largest and most distinctive Volkwagen that we have ever built in the USA". A finding that already emerges from the data sheet. Jump over the five-meter mark, almost two meters wide and 1,77 meters high. Too big for central European streets and winding old towns. Therefore, the Atlas is only offered in the USA, later also in Russia and the Middle East. The car-hungry Chinese get their own model with the Teramont, which is similar to the Atlas.
Even if the Atlas will not be in the shop windows around Wolfsburg, it is definitely groundbreaking. The new VW face is characterized by the broad grille with LED light units as side boundaries. A sharply drawn belt line divides the side view and bulges over the two wheel arches. The hood is a little shorter than some rivals. But the rear carries the classic combi look, which is also common in the SUV guild. So no experiments with design, despite all the modernity, there is visible solidity in a large space. Since new car buyers are usually a bit older and therefore conservatively poled, VW cannot escape this trend. A large SUV must score with its dimensions and not with an extravagant dress.
The same applies to the interior. Everything must fit, be easy to use and must not overwhelm the clientele. VW delivers this with the proven cockpit concept that works well in many models. The driver can design the central dashboard according to his own taste, and additional apps can be easily activated on the large navigation monitor using a tile look. Of course, the Atlas also goes online and works with all smartphone systems. The materials make a very solid impression, even if they do not achieve the high quality that the much more expensive Touareg offers its occupants.
The use of the long interior is ingenious. The third row of seats, which can be lowered into the floor of the car, creates space for two additional adult passengers. The remaining trunk then still corresponds to that of a compact model, even if VW does not yet give exact data. Access for the rear backbenchers is made easier by the cleverly designed inclination of the rear seat backrests in row two, even tall passengers do not have to move. If the additional seats remain empty, the second row can be moved backwards by 20 centimeters, creating princely legroom in the rear. If only the front seats are occupied, the loading space grows many times over, there will probably be around 2.000 or more liters on which boxes, furniture, leisure equipment or weekly shopping for a large family can spread. Of course, this increases the utility of the Atlas and meets the tastes of US customers.
There is something familiar in the engine compartment, but of course there are no diesel engines. The smaller of the two petrol engines has two liters of displacement, four cylinders and, thanks to turbocharging, delivers 175 kW / 238 hp. Then the Atlas has front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive on request is only available in conjunction with the 3,6-liter six-cylinder (206 kW / 280 hp). Both have an eight-speed automatic as standard. Modern assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking, distance radar or active lane keeping can be ordered. Of course, the giant can also be parked semi-automatically.
A large SUV at an attractive price, which definitely has what it takes to be a successful model on board. Together with the Tiguan, which made its debut in Detroit in January (with an extended wheelbase and also up to seven seats), the duo was to take the turn. A VW manager with a US passport justifies the optimism: "After all, we Americans are not resentful". (Peter Maahn / SP-X)
