New Kid: Volkswagen’s Atlas Tanoak Concept

Volkswagen is not a name we typically think of when we think of trucks, at least here in the U.S. The Amarok, already in production and available in countries around the world, has scant numbers running around the country, but it pales in comparison to a new kid on the block – the Atlas Tanoak concept.

The Atlas Tanoak made its debut this week at the New York International Auto Show, and is already making waves. Its rugged look, lit-up grille, and wide stance makes it an interesting pickup that could have legs here in the States. But the key word here is “concept” – in essence, an idea that will make it no further than the prototype stage. But a man can dream, can’t he?

Diving deeper into the vehicle’s details, here is what we know: the Atlas Tanoak is based on the extended wheelbase Atlas SUV, and measures just shy of 18 feet long, 6.7 feet wide, and 6 feet tall. It has a ground clearance of 10 inches, which is quite a bit for a factory rig; for the sake of comparison, a 2018 Raptor has 9.8 inches.

Powering the Atlas Tanoak is a 3.6-liter V6 FSI engine making 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, which is right in line with comparable midsize trucks like the Tacoma (3.5-liter V6; 278 hp, 265 lb-ft) and Colorado (3.6-liter V6; 308 hp, 275 lb-ft). The transmission is an eight-speed automatic. Also, the truck comes with VW’s 4MOTION four-wheel-drive system, making it capable when it comes to the rough stuff.

The bed of the Atlas Tanoak measures 64Lx57Wx21H, in inches. Volkswagen touts it as capable of holding everything from surfboards to ATVs and dirt bikes.

Inside, the driver and passengers enjoy a touchscreen infotainment center. There’s ambient lighting built into the instrument panel and roofline console, which change color between and yellow and blue depending on whether the truck is being used in the city or out off-road.

What do you think of the Atlas Tanoak? Let us know in the comments below.