American VW Atlas decided to pretend to be an SUV: a new version of the Peak Edition

At the New York Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled an adventurous version of the Atlas family crossover Peak Edition, which an inexperienced car enthusiast can take for a serious SUV.

In North America, the Volkswagen Atlas (in the Russian Federation this model is known as the Teramont) is considered a mid-size crossover and is not very successful in fighting classmates: in 2022, Atlas sales in the United States amounted to 53,545 units, which is 26% less than the result of 2021, while Toyota Highlander sold 222,805 units. (-15.9%), Ford Explorer — 207,673 units. (-5.5%).

1/5 2/5 3/5 4/5 5/5

In February, Atlas and its shortened relative Atlas Cross Sport underwent a planned facelift, and now Atlas has received a “hardcore” version of the Peak Edition, inspired, allegedly, by the 2019 Atlas Basecamp concept. It is curious that in the same year, an even more severe-looking Adventure concept was made on the basis of the Atlas, stuffed with all sorts of off-road accessories, but all this is not necessary for the serial special version: the Peak Edition is designed according to the principle “to seem, not to be” — in fact, this is just one of the finishes, although quite spectacular.

1/6 2/6 3/6 4/6 5/6 6/6

The Atlas Peak Edition has a more advanced protective plastic body kit than the other versions, this body kit is partly silver painted to appear metal. The radiator grille received two horizontal chrome strips at the top. The new front bumper features a high-gloss black X-shaped insert. The front doors are adorned with black decals with orange Peak Edition lettering. The rear bumper sports a fake mesh and specially shaped fake tailpipes. Mirror housings, window surrounds and roof rails are painted black. Specially designed black cast wheels are fitted with 255/60 R 18 Continental CrossContact ATR all-terrain tires. Finally, two exclusive colors have been developed for the Peak Edition, Avocado Green and Pure Grey.

1/5 2/5 3/5 4/5 5/5

Interior highlights of the Peak Edition include two-tone leatherette upholstery with contrasting orange stitching, a checkered texture on the front panel with Peak Edition lettering, a peak with Peak Edition lettering on the steering wheel and new contour colors. LED backlighting.

1/2 2/2

The Peak Edition has no technical innovations. Recall that during the restyling, Atlas lost the V6 engine and is now offered only with a 2.0-liter petrol “turbo-four” (273 hp, 370 Nm) paired with an 8-speed “automatic”. The drive in theory can be either front or all-wheel drive (with a rear power take-off), but the Peak Edition will probably only be offered with all-wheel drive to better match the novelty's declared adventure image.

< p>Pricing for the Peak Edition has not yet been announced, it will go on sale along with the entire updated Atlas family this summer.