2020 VW Atlas Tanoak is Volkswagen Amarok for the US Truckers
A lot of novelties are expected from the German manufacturer in the near future and the new 2020 VW Atlas Tanoak is one of the models that draw a lot of attention. VW has never been famous for pickup trucks, at least not in North America. While on markets like Australia or Europe you can get a pretty capable Amarok, North American drivers don’t have such choice. Still, things are about to change soon, as the company is about to introduce a brand-new model.
This will be a mid-size pickup truck, but will a little bit different design approach compared to most rivals. The new model will be based on the Atlas SUV, which means a car-like platform, which means a couple of advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional BoF trucks. In any case, the latest reports are suggesting that the 2020 VW Atlas Tanoak release date will be scheduled for the next year.
2020 VW Atlas Tanoak Design
In terms of base design characteristics, the most distinctive aspect of the new truck will be its platform. As we already mentioned, this won’t be a typical pickup truck. It will share most of its parts with the Atlas, which means a car-like, unibody platform. In practice, this means a little bit different driving characteristics compared to BoF trucks. On one side, such design provides much better handling and overall driveability, as well as a smoother and more comfortable ride. On the other side, the new model probably won’t be as capable as a typical mid-size pickup truck. Count on lower max payload and towing capacity.
Exterior
Just like in terms of mechanics, the new truck will have a lot in common with the Atlas in terms of exterior design as well. Still, it will be notably bigger. The mid-size SUV is one of the largest models in the class, with 177.3 inches in wheelbase and 198.3 inches in overall length. When it comes to 2020 VW Atlas Tanoak specs, you may count on even more. According to the latest reports, the new truck will feature 11 more inches in the wheelbase and almost 16 inches in the overall length. Therefore, it will be the biggest truck in the class, two inches longer than Chevy Colorado, for comparison.
In terms of the styling, we are about to see a lot of similarities with the Atlas. The front end should be pretty much identical, particularly from the bumper to the B pillar. The face will be pretty much the same, but the rest of the vehicle will come in a typical truck manner. Most likely, the new model will be available in a crew cab layout only, give its comfort-oriented design, just like it is the case with Honda Ridgeline. The cargo bed should measure around 64 inches in length and 57 inches in width.
Interior
When it comes to the 2020 VW Atlas Tanoak interior, once again we expect to see a lot of similarities with the Atlas. First of all, the dashboard should look pretty much the same, although certain sources suggest some revisions. Simply, the Atlas SUV doesn’t feature the level of quality you would expect from an SUV in this class. There is a lot of hard plastics around the cabin, so we could see some improvements for the 2020 VW Atlas Tanoak pickup truck. When it comes to features, we presume that the amazing Virtual Cockpit will be offered as an option. Of course, we count on other tech goodies as well. A long list of standard features should be one of the model’s key weapons to battle in a reborn segment of mid-size pickups, but the main thing about this truck will actually be interior space and overall comfort.
2020 VW Atlas Tanoak Engine
In this aspect, we won’t see any surprises. The new pickup truck will come with the same engine lineup as the SUV sibling. This means a familiar 3.6-liter V6, which is good for about 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. It seems like a decent amount of power for a vehicle of this size. The engine comes in pair with an 8-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to either front or all wheels.
A smaller turbo-four engine could be offered as well. Of course, that would be a 2.0-liter unit with around 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Although it would deliver slower acceleration, it could be a great choice for those who are looking for a more fuel-efficient alternative.
2020 VW Atlas Tanoak Release Date and Price
We are still waiting to hear something from the officials, but it looks like the new model will come already in the next year. When it comes to the 2020 VW Atlas Tanoak price, most reports suggest that base models would go around 25.000 dollars. Honda Ridgeline is expected to be a key competitor, but the new truck could also be a decent alternative to more capable Toyota Tacoma and Chevy Colorado BoF trucks.
