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2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport leaked

Images of undisguised SUV 'coupe' surface on Chinese website, somewhat confirming final design of style-focused variant of VW's big SUV.


The production version of the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport appears to have been leaked this week, with a Chinese website publishing images of an un-camouflaged example of the upcoming coupe-styled SUV.

Posted to Autohome, the white vehicle pictured looks remarkably similar to the concept shown earlier this year at the New York motor show, though in typical fashion has had certain design elements toned down for production.

Up front is a sleeker fascia that differs from the seven-seat Atlas/Terramont sold in the US and China, featuring a new grille, unique bumpers, and a more rounded overall look.

The sloping roofline isn't too tapered, meaning rear passengers should still have plenty of headroom, while the fastback-style tailgate is probably the most significant change between the Cross Sport and the standard Atlas.

Large alloy wheels fill the flared guards, though they aren't as massive as those used on the concept car, while the tail-lights bear a strong resemblance to those used on the seven-seat version.

It's also worth noting this Cross Sport dons a mostly body-colour finish, similar to R-Line versions of other Volkswagen models, keeping the design very similar to the concept and differing a bit from the more rugged two-tone look of the Atlas/Terramont.

The low-ish resolution of the images makes it difficult to read the badging on the tailgate, though the script on the chrome strip – which spans the width of the rear – appears to read 'Terramont'.

Power in the Cross Sport should come from the same 175kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo and 206kW/361Nm 3.6-litre V6 petrol engines as the Atlas in the US, while a plug-in hybrid version (as previewed by the concept) should be offered as well.

The Cross Sport concept paired the 3.6-litre V6 with two electric motors and a dual-clutch DSG transmission, for combined power output of 265kW. Volkswagen claimed the concept could hit 60mph (97km/h) from a standstill in 5.4 seconds, and top out at 209km/h.

Above: Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport concept

Also fitted to the concept's hybrid system was an 18kWh lithium-ion battery pack, good for an 'anticipated' EV driving range of 42 kilometres, while a mild-hybrid version with a smaller 2.0kWh battery was mentioned as another option.

It's possible the release of the Atlas Cross Sport could also coincide with a mid-life refresh for the seven-seat Atlas first launched in 2016.

Key changes could include the revised frontal treatment seen on the Cross Sport, while the interior should get nicer displays and materials as seen in the coupe-styled concept (below). We'd expect Volkswagen to add a plug-in hybrid powertrain to the line-up too, given increasingly strict emissions regulations in the Chinese and US markets, and VW's push towards electrification.

The German brand already confirmed at the reveal of the Cross Sport concept that a production version would follow sometime in 2019, with the market model to be built alongside its three-row equivalent at Volkswagen's plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Expect the production model to make its official debut in China and the US early next year, with the American version likely to be revealed at one of the major motor shows ahead of a market launch later in the year – though given its left-hand drive focus, don't expect it in Australia anytime soon.

Stay tuned to CarAdvice for all the latest, and let us know what you think in the comments!

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