VW Atlas Cross Sport Concept is a Sleek Hybrid SUV With Seating for Five

The Atlas Cross Sport Concept signals the next major addition to VW’s rapidly expanding crossover and SUV portfolio for North America. It rides on the same MQB platform as the standard three-row Atlas, but has a slightly smaller footprint and features a coupe-like profile for a sportier-looking stance. VW says the concept is 190.8 inches long, 68.3 inches tall and 79.9 inches wide, making it just a bit tinier than the standard Atlas, which is 198.3 inches long, 69.6 inches tall and 77.9-inches wide.

Powering the Atlas Cross Sport Concept is the same 3.6-liter V6 engine as the standard Atlas. However, in the concept, the six-cylinder is paired with two electric motors which make 54 and 114 hp for a total system output of 355 hp. Feeding the motors is an 18 kWh battery housed within the vehicle’s central tunnel. VW says the powertrain enables a 0-60 mph time of 5.4s and a top speed of 130 mph.

SEE ALSO: 2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 Review

The German automaker claims a mild-hybrid powertrain with the same V6 and a smaller 2.0 kWh battery pack would be possible for the Atlas Cross Sport as well. This system would make 310 hp and enable a 0-60 mph time of around 6.5s. Top speed would stay the same at 130 mph. VW also detailed different driving modes for the Atlas Cross Sport, including a performance-focused GTE mode, an eco-minded Hybrid mode and a pure electric E-Mode.

Like the recently shown 2019 VW Touareg, the Atlas Cross Sport Concept’s interior is tech-heavy, featuring a 12.3-inch digital cockpit display and a 10.1-inch touchscreen with gesture control.

Volkswagen claims the Atlas Cross Sport Concept is largely representative of the production version, which will launched in the United States in 2019. It will be built alongside the seven-passenger Atlas and Passat sedan at VW’s Chattanooga, Tennessee production site.

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