VW Atlas Tanoak Concept Pickup Video
Our staff on the ground at the 2018 New York International Auto Show got to take a closer look at the new concept mid-size pickup truck from Volkswagen: the Atlas Tanoak concept that made a surprise debut at the show. Our first impressions? The Atlas Tanoak looks much bigger in person than it did in the press photos and some of the exterior design details are stunning. The interior, as you might expect from VW, is impressive as well.
Of course, there's quite a bit in this concept that's not likely to see the light of day in a production vehicle, but that's not the point here. Concept vehicles are thought experiments for manufacturers, especially if the automaker doesn't have much experience in a particular market with a particular class. Concepts give automakers a chance to gauge interest from journalists, auto show attendees and consumers who provide (thoughtful) comments on websites.
There's a lot to like about this 5-foot-bed, unibody pickup, but there's also missing information that raises quite a few questions. Here's our video take on what the Atlas Tanoak wants to be and what VW is telling us.
Cars.com photos by Christian Lantry
Comments
They let him sit in it? Don't touch anything!
The sliding rack is for a canoe. Makes since.
What's the compartment on the front of the bed where it meets the cab?
I like it, but I don't want VW to build it
I want Ford to build one with a Eco-Boost engine.
broken record.
VW should build this and grab some of the untapped market.
Just like Ridgeline some would buy a VW pickup truck this could be the VW BMW or Audi owners that might want something different then the SUVs/Crossover vehicles they offer.
Everybody does not wont the usual GM Ford Toyota Nissan pickup trucks.
VW should build this and grab some of the untapped market.
Just like Ridgeline some would buy a VW pickup truck this could be the VW BMW or Audi owners that might want something different then the SUVs/Crossover vehicles they offer.
Everybody does not wont the usual GM Ford Toyota Nissan pickup trucks.
They let him sit in it? Don't touch anything!
The sliding rack is for a canoe. Makes since.
Since?
Since. Since it won't work.
Sense. Makes sense.
Cents. I have five cents.
Sent. Sent an email.
Scent. This stinks.
@Ecoboost Rules
That's a pass-thru to the passenger cabin for long items, similar to those in sedans. One benefit of a unibody chassis.
Looking at the first image, it appears this Tanoak has IRS.
Looking at the first image, it appears this Tanoak has IRS.
I really like the center console arm rest with a floor shifter
( not like the girly dial shifter )
Also love the REAL alloy wheels
( not like the fake chrome-plastic hubcaps )
It has rear coils but with independent suspension
( rear coils can work on a compact, unibody truck - NOT on a full size truck with a solid axle )
The VW engine should get better MPG than the pig 3.6 V6
( yea, the 3.6 V6 has power but it's a pig with gas mileage )
The Ridgeline with the 3.5 V6 is the quickest-fastest compact truck out there. Will the VW engine match it?
The Tacoma is outdated no major changes since 2005
The Colorado has tranny problems
Under the conclusion based on the the faults of other compact pickup trucks I believe VW has a good shot of being competitive in this market
How about VW builds one with a powerful regularly asirated V6 or diesel and skip the Ecobarf. those engines are a waste of time and resources, especialy the one we had in out Edge. What junk. I trust VW engineering enuf to make this work another way. A real man with a real truck doesnt drive a 4cyl turbo, jeesh
@Julio
Why have a "powerful V6" with a 5 foot bed?
A "real man" needs 6 feet - right?
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