VW will name the production version of the CrossBlue concept ‘Atlas’, according to recent reports.
Scheduled for reveal on October 27 in California, VW’s new three-row SUV will be known as Atlas, AutoNews reports, with the name being a ‘closely guarded secret’ since 2013 when the CrossBlue concept made its debut at the Detroit Motor Show.
So the new Atlas not only moves away from VW’s SUV naming strategy which dictates all names must start with a ‘T’ but also reflects the promise of the VW USA boss Hinrich Woebcken to give their new midsize SUV a much easier to pronounce name, one that’s unique to the North American market.
“Two or three years ago, it would’ve been a no-go that the region decides an individual name,” Woebcken said in July. “This is already an early sign that Wolfsburg is willing to let go.”
The new VW Atlas will ride on the modular MQB platform, making it the first US-built Volkswagen to use this platform, and according to previous leaks, will have a similar footprint with the Audi Q7, despite its much lower price. VW will position their new SUV between the upcoming Tiguan LWB and the Touareg.
Chinese models have been spotted previously undisguised, showing us that the new Atlas remains faithful to the original design of the CrossBlue concept.
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