Proof of Concept
One Volkswagen model shows how concept becomes reality
December 5, 2018
When the seven-passenger CrossBlue concept made its debut in 2013, it was hailed as the next step in the expanding, well-rounded family of SUVs offered by Volkswagen.
Over the next few years, however, VW designers and engineers took the CrossBlue concept and modified it, adding more room designed to fit the needs of the American market and streamlining both interior and exterior design lines. The eventual debut would change not only the design but the name with the 2017 debut of the Atlas.
This is a great example of how concept cars fit into the VW design process. Holistically, concept cars enable VW designers to test public reaction as they further refine the brand and the vision for its vehicles. They are also a chance for engineers, designers, and product planners to further refine ideas. Here are a few notable additions.
The CrossBlue Evolves
The concept car development process offers designers and engineers the opportunity to push the limits of design and develop a vision for VW. When the VW design team innovates during concept car development, there are fewer restrictions and the process — which usually takes six to eight months — helps fuel creativity.
That’s certainly apparent in the evolution of the Atlas from the CrossBlue. In 2013, the CrossBlue SUV concept debuted to great fanfare: The goal of this mid-size SUV was to hit a sweet spot for VW between the Tiguan and Touareg, with six individual seats in three spacious rows, standard safety features, and a stylish interior.
After feedback, the VW design team kept refining what they knew about the American family and how families use their vehicles. They knew that more space would be key — and that the European notion of a more compact design didn’t necessarily apply to the U.S. market.
Simplicity and precision also served as the guiding design philosophy for the evolution of CrossBlue to Atlas. For starters, designers integrated the LED Daytime Running Lights into the grille, boosting the robust profile of the Atlas. Inside, the clean lines of high-end, modern furniture offered inspiration for designers to balance function with an uncomplicated aesthetic.
The Atlas Cross Sport
A plug-in hybrid concept vehicle with a dramatic five-seat design, coupe-like roofline, anticipated 355-hp, and seven-mode 4MOTION® all-wheel-drive system, the Atlas Cross Sport concept was unveiled at the 2018 New York International Auto Show.
A member of the Atlas family, the Cross Sport was designed to bring the classic four-door, five-passenger family hauler into a new era. It offers a modern take on 21st century SUV demands, including touch-screen entertainment and expansive cargo space.
The concept is built on the same MQB architecture that underpins many VW models.
The Atlas Tanoak
The Atlas Tanoak, another Atlas Family concept, also made its debut at the 2018 New York International Auto Show. The Atlas Tanoak is a dual-cab, short-bed, unibody lifestyle pickup built on the MQB platform. It features an integrated winch and hook in the front bumper and a slide-out rail in the rear gate for ease of hauling long items such as a canoe. That rail also includes a strip of LEDs that illuminate the cargo bed.
Like other VW concepts, the Atlas Tanoak makes use of LEDs with DRL bars integrated into the grille and red LEDs in the tailgate; both animate when the truck starts. Powered by a 276-hp 3.6-liter VR6 and 4MOTION® all-wheel-drive system, the Tanoak interior offers spacious seating for five, with ambient lights that change colors depending on the drive mode.
