Large family Volkswagen Atlas: what are the features of the model
Content
- American "Atlas" or Chinese "Teramont"
- Volkswagen Atlas 2017 release
- Tuning "Volkswagen Atlas"
The interest of the general public in the SUVs of the Volkswagen concern has declined somewhat in recent years, which could not but affect the marketing strategy of the auto giant. Being represented by the Touareg and Tiguan models, Volkswagen has somewhat lost its leadership position in the market, leaving competitors such as the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander far behind. An honorable mission aimed at reviving the popularity (and hence the saleability) of cars of this class was assigned to the new VW Atlas SUV.
American "Atlas" or Chinese "Teramont"
The start of serial production of Volkswagen Atlas at the plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at the end of 2016, was called by many a new page in the American history of the German concern. The name of the new car is borrowed from a mountain range in northwest Africa: it is in this region that the nationality lives, which gave the name to another Volkswagen model - the Tuareg. It should be said that the car will be called "Atlas" only in America, for all other markets the name VW Teramont is provided. The production of Volkswagen Teramont is entrusted to SAIC Volkswagen, located in China.
VW Teramont has become the largest crossover in the line of cars of its class ever produced by the concern: Touareg and Tiguan, which are closest in terms of characteristics, lose to Teramont both in terms of dimensions and ground clearance. In addition, the Teramont is already a seven-seater in the basic version, unlike the same Tuareg and Tiguan.
If we compare the American and Chinese versions of the car, then there are no fundamental differences here, you can only find individual nuances that are characteristic of each of the models. For example, decorative trims are placed on the front doors of a Chinese car, and the rear bumper is equipped with additional reflectors. In the Teramont cabin, there are ventilation deflector dampers controlled by rotating washers - there is no such option in the Atlas. In the American car, the multimedia system is equipped with touch controls, in the Chinese car - with analog buttons. If the Atlas is equipped with cup holders on the central tunnel, then the Teramont has a compartment for small items and objects with a sliding curtain. The gear selector of the Chinese car looks more massive, the Fender audio system has been replaced with a Dynaudio.
The power unit in the basic version of both machines is a four-cylinder 2.0 TSI paired with an eight-position Aisin automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. However, if an American car has an engine power of 241 hp. with., then the Chinese car can be equipped with engines with a capacity of 186 and 220 liters. With. The Atlas and Teramont all-wheel drive versions have the most differences: the former has a naturally aspirated VR6 3.6 engine with a capacity of 285 hp. With. paired with 8AKPP, for the second - a V6 2.5 turbo engine with a capacity of 300 hp. With. complete with DQ500 robotic seven-speed gearbox and DCC adaptive suspension.
Table: specifications of various modifications of the Volkswagen Atlas
| Characterization | 2,0 TSI AT | VR6 3,6 |
| Engine power, l with. | 240 | 280 |
| Engine volume, l | 2,0 | 3,6 |
| Number of cylinders | 4 | 6 |
| Cylinder arrangement | inline | V-shaped |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 | 4 |
| Torque, Nm / rev. in min | 360/3700 | 370/5500 |
| PPC | AKPP7 | AKPP8 |
| Drive unit | front | full |
| Front brakes | disc, ventilated | disc, ventilated |
| Rear brakes | disk | disk |
| Length m | 5,036 | 5,036 |
| Width, m | 1,979 | 1,979 |
| Height, m | 1,768 | 1,768 |
| Rear track, m | 1,723 | 1,723 |
| Front track, m | 1,708 | 1,708 |
| Wheelbase, m | 2,98 | 2,98 |
| Ground clearance, cm | 20,3 | 20,3 |
| Trunk volume, l (with three/two/one row of seats) | 583/1572/2741 | 583/1572/2741 |
| Tank volume, l | 70,4 | 70,4 |
| Tire size | 245 / 60 R18 | 245/60R18; 255/50R20 |
| Curb weight, t | 2,042 | |
| Full weight, t | 2,72 |
Volkswagen Atlas 2017 release
The 2017-2018 VW Atlas is assembled on the modular MQB platform and has a stylish and elegant body of a classic SUV.
Two weeks ago I leased a new Volkswagen Atlas (before that I had a Tiguan). Options - Launch Edition 4Motion with a 3.6L V6 engine for 280 hp. The issue price is $550 per month plus $1000 down payment. You can buy it for $36. I like the design - in black, the car looks very nice. For some reason, many see him as Amarok. In my opinion, they have nothing in common. Salon roomy — for a large family that's it. The seats in my configuration are rag. But the upper part of the front panel is sheathed in leather. Plastic, by the way, is very pleasant to the touch, not rough. The instrument panel is conventional, analog - digital comes only in expensive versions. The multimedia screen is large. I like how he reacts to pressing - clearly, without hesitation. The glove compartment is quite large, with backlight. There is also a spacious storage compartment under the center armrest. The armrest itself is wide and very comfortable. The second row is triple (it was possible to take with two separate chairs, but I did not want to). There is plenty of space on it. I sit down behind myself and at the same time do not touch the backs of the front seats with my feet. My height is 675 cm. There are airflow control buttons on the back. Plus, there are a large number of niches for small things in the doors. The trunk is huge - at least with the third row folded down. The roof, by the way, is panoramic. The engine does its job. The speed picks up pretty fast. There is no feeling that you are sitting behind the wheel of such a big car. He obeys the steering wheel perfectly and stands on the road like a glove. The sound of the motor is pleasant and not too loud. As for soundproofing, it, of course, could be better, but, to tell the truth, extraneous sounds do not annoy me at all. The suspension is neither soft nor hard — in a word, perfectly balanced. Riding on smooth asphalt is a pleasure. I really liked Atlas and met all my expectations. In the States, you can't buy anything better for this money. And in general, I always had warm feelings for Volkswagen cars.
Innovations in technical specifications
The car, introduced to the market in 2018, can be purchased in the basic version with a 238-horsepower TSI engine, front-wheel drive and an eight-position automatic gearbox, as well as in a “charged” version with a 280-horsepower VR-6 engine, 4Motion all-wheel drive and the ability to select one of the operating modes - "Snow", "Sport", "On-Road" or "Off-Road".
The safety of the driver and passengers is ensured by a rigid frame that protects those in the car in the event of a collision or impact from all sides. The strength of the body is provided by high-strength alloy steel, which is used in all external panels. In the event of a collision, the automatic braking system is activated, which greatly reduces the likelihood of severe consequences of an accident. An additional degree of safety is given by tire pressure monitoring systems (TMPS), an intelligent emergency response system (ICRS), which is responsible for deploying airbags, turning off the fuel pump, unlocking doors, turning on emergency lights in the event of an accident, as well as the so-called seven stabilizing systems, allowing you to maintain constant control over the car.
Innovations in vehicle equipment
Large family car Volkswagen Atlas can be selected in one of the colors:
- reflex silver metallic - metallic silver;
- pure white - white;
- platinun gray metallic - gray metallic;
- deep black pearl - black;
- tourmaline blue metallic — metallic blue;
- kurkuma yellow metallic - metallic yellow;
- fortana red metallic — metallic red.
Among the options of the VW Atlas 2018 is the pedestrian monitoring function, which is part of the Front Assist system. Thanks to this innovation, the driver receives an audible signal using a radar sensor if a pedestrian suddenly appears on the road. If the driver does not have time to respond to the pedestrian in time, the car can brake automatically. On the roof of the car there is a panoramic sunroof, thanks to which passengers in all three rows of seats can enjoy fresh air during the trip. The wheels of the new Atlas are equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels.
The Hands-free Easy Open function allows you to open the trunk with a slight movement of your foot when your hands are full, and close it by pressing a button located on the trunk lid. Children are quite spacious in the second row of seats, even if they are equipped with child seats. As an option, it is possible to install two large seats in the second row. Cup holders on the center console add comfort on long trips. Cargo space is versatile and flexible - if necessary, it can be expanded by folding the third and second rows of seats.
The interior of the Volkswagen Atlas is just as impressive as the exterior: quilted seat upholstery and a multifunction steering wheel create a feeling of comfort and solidity. You can get into the third row of seats by simply tilting the second row seats forward. The authors of the model took into account the possibility that each of the passengers may have their own devices, so USB ports are provided at all seat levels.. Passengers seated in the third row do not experience crowding.
A real breakthrough for the creators of VW Atlas is the 12,3-inch display, which displays all the information coming from the devices with high resolution. On the instrument panel, you can select driver personalization mode or navigation mode. The Fender multimedia system allows you to listen to satellite radio, use various applications, and enjoy the highest sound quality.
In cold weather, the remote engine start feature can be useful. Using the VW Car-Net Security & Service 16 option, the owner has the opportunity to make sure that he did not forget to close the car, check the parking space, and call for help if necessary. Climatronic allows you to set one of three climate modes, covering one, two or three rows of seats. The Area View function is designed so that the driver can see everything that is happening around the car. It is possible for each of the regular passengers to create their own profile, in which they indicate the most preferred seating positions, radio station, air temperature, etc. - later everything will be configured automatically. Other useful options include:
- blind sport monitor - help when changing lanes to the left;
- rear traffic alert - support when reversing onto the roadway;
- lane assist - control of the marking line;
- park assist - parking assistance;
- adaptive cruise control - distance control;
- park pilot - assistance when leaving the parking lot;
- light assist - high and low beam control.
Video: overview of the capabilities of the Volkswagen Atlas
Table: the cost of VW Atlas of different trim levels in the North American market
| Modification | S | V6 p | V6 S with 4Motion | V6 Launch Edition | V6 Launch Edition with 4Motion | V6SE | V6 SE with 4Motion | V6 SE with Technology | V6 SE with Technology and 4Motion | V6 SEL | V6 SEL with 4 Motion | V6 SEL Premium with 4Motion |
| Price, thousand $ | 30,5 | 31,9 | 33,7 | 33,5 | 35,3 | 34,99 | 36,79 | 37,09 | 38,89 | 40,89 | 42,69 | 48,49 |
For implementation in Russia, Atlas was received in 2018. The price of the base Volkswagen Atlas with a “turboservice” 2.0 TSI with a capacity of 235 hp and front-wheel drive starts from 1,8 million rubles.
How spacious it is! They even managed to make the third row functional: there is a supply above the head, niches for the feet were provided. You just sit with your legs crossed and your knees are very tight, but this problem is solved by moving the middle sofa forward. He moves in parts and in a huge range - 20 cm. Therefore, with proper skill, each of the five rear seats turns into a corner of a sociopath - someone else's elbow will not violate personal space. And habits too: there is a climate in the back, USB ports and cup holders.
Advantages and disadvantages of gasoline and diesel engines
If in the American and Chinese markets VW Atlas is represented by versions equipped with gasoline engines, then, according to insider information, an Atlas with a diesel engine can be released for Russia. In the event that such information is confirmed, domestic motorists will have to weigh all the pros and cons of engines running on gasoline and diesel fuel. When comparing the two types of motors, it should be taken into account that:
- for equal volumes, a gasoline engine produces more horsepower, and a diesel engine has more torque. The consequence of this is the best acceleration performance of the gasoline engine, but the higher load capacity of the diesel unit;
- diesel fuel is more economical, because 1 liter of diesel fuel gives more energy than 1 liter of gasoline;
- diesel engines are noisier;
- in frosty weather, diesel engines can start harder. If low-quality fuel gets into such an engine, this may lead to the need for repair;
- diesel engines are more durable, but regular maintenance of such an engine is more expensive than gasoline;
- diesel engines are more environmentally friendly;
- Diesel vehicles tend to be more expensive.
Video: meet the Volkswagen-Teramont
Tuning "Volkswagen Atlas"
To give the Atlas an even more off-road appearance, the specialists of the American studio LGE CTS Motorsport proposed:
- increase ground clearance;
- expand the wheel arches;
- use massive wheels with off-road treads;
- replace the standard front bumper with a steel plate;
- add a large steel roof rack;
- place a metal ladder at the back of the car so that the trunk can be reached.
Among the most popular tuning parts for VW Atlas or VW Teramont, available for a wide range of car enthusiasts:
- door window lift button trim covers - ABS carbon fiber, Kadore interior;
- top air conditioner trim Kadore;
- Tomefon armrest trim cover;
- lighting control switch trim cover;
- steering wheel trim - ABS Chrome and carbon fiber Colornterior;
- protective visor for side mirrors, protecting from rain and sun;
- lining on the side door handles;
- fog lamp reflector bezel;
- plastic visor on glass to protect from rain and sun;
- styling air vents;
- decorative strip on the rear-view mirror;
- "cilia" on the headlights;
- step;
- a set of car mats;
- stainless steel outer and inner rear bumper cover, etc.
Large SUVs, as well as pickups based on them, are traditionally in the greatest demand in the United States, so it is no coincidence that Los Angeles was chosen for the presentation of the new Volkswagen Atlas. Today's largest Volkswagen SUV is competed with Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, Hyundai Grand Santa Fe. The creators of the VW Atlas consider the Chinese and Middle Eastern markets to be next in importance.
