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Volkswagen Reveals Atlas Tanoak Pickup Concept at New York International Auto Show

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Volkswagen Atlas Tanoak Concept
Photo: Volkswagen

As the first pickup truck engineered on Volkswagen’s modular transverse matrix architecture (MQB), the Atlas Tanoak Pickup Concept features 10 inches of ground clearance, a movable cargo rail over its short bed, and sport seating. Revealed at the 2018 New York International Auto Show, the Atlas Tanoak concept is equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 FSI® gasoline engine paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, a drivetrain that can churn out 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. The Atlas Tanoak also features the 4MOTION® all-wheel drive system with Active Control.

“Designed as a dual-cab, five-seater, the Atlas Tanoak pickup has a cargo bed that is 64.1 inches long, 57.1 wide (50.4 inches between the wheel wells) and 20.9 inches high. This allows for easy transport of cargo such as bikes or surfboards with the tailgate in place, and ATVs and dirt bikes with the tailgate down. The spare wheel is located under the cargo bed, making it accessible even when fully loaded,” explains Volkswagen.

The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) are round and spill over in the vehicle’s side profile and the Altas logo is embedded in an animated lighting display on the front end.

“When the Atlas Tanoak is opened, the white VW logo gradually brightens. From there, the white light runs over the two crossbars of the grille and into the headlight surrounds. As soon as activation of the lighting strips has reached the headlights, the LEDs of the two strips in front briefly ‘swipe’ out from the logo and back until the LED headlights and distinctive, narrow, six-sided LED DRLs in the bumper activate,” reports Volkswagen.

The 20-inch wheels are high-gloss; the bed and cab feature a “Red Earth” hue, and the fenders are flared. The low-hinged tailgate sports the Atlas logo.

The Atlas Tanoak concept features mostly digitally controlled functions.

“The touchscreen infotainment system is positioned high up for easy operation, almost alongside the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit. Both these screens and the controls for the air conditioning merge to form a digitalized cockpit environment,” reports Volkswagen.

The name “Tanoak” references a tree, which grows in the Pacific Coast and can reach a height of 135 feet.