Volkswagen America has revealed the Atlas Cross Sport GT Concept with Golf R power.

Sportier styling is not unfamiliar to the VW SUV and crossover range, although ardent GTi and R followers might find it annoying, the truth is that R-Design packages sell rather well, on the Tiguan and Touareg.

VW has now shown a desire to expand the more purposeful high-performance look on its SUVs. The concept in question is its Atlas seven-seater SUV.Built on the MQB platform, the Atlas is essentially a larger Tiguan, and that means it has inherently tidy dynamic driving characteristics.

A VW project team has now created the Atlas Cross Sport GT, to illustrate how an ‘R-Line’ version of the vehicle could look.Beyond the striking Eisvogelblau paint finish, there is contrasting gloss black exterior trim, with thoseABT Sport HR AeroWheelsimmediately noticeable too, and not only for their design. Sized at 22-inches, these massive wheels roll Yokohama Advan Sport tyres.

Hiding behind those ABT wheels, are larger eight-piston Tarox front brake callipers, which should improve braking feel and performance. Bigger wheels are often misunderstood: they aren’t just for aesthetic purposes, but also allow for greater brake component clearance.

VW’s Cross Sport GT team has also updated the Atlas suspension, with EXA Plus 3 coilovers at each wheel corner.The truly impressive mechanical upgrades, concern this Cross Sport GT’s engine and drivetrain, which borrows from the Golf R. It uses a Golf7 R EA888, boosting an IS38 turbocharger. VW won’t confirm the exact power figure but alludes to its being in excess of 224 kW.

Power is distributed to all four wheels, via a VW’s proven 4Motion system, with a seven-speed DSG transmission managing the up- and downshifts.An interesting part of the Atlas Cross Sport GT project, is its cooling system. With a different front profile to the Golf R, engineers had to transplant a radiator from the hatchback to this special Atlas, to ensure it retained adequate cooling.

It looks great, and runs with dynamic verve thanks to the Golf R mechanical bits, but what about the inside? VW has made the shifter, seatbelts, and floor mats blue and added a flat-bottom steering wheel. By far the best part of this Atlas Cross Sport GT’s cabin, are those four Recaro Sportster CS seats.If you are still in doubt, about the issue of a VW R crossover or SUV, the Atlas Cross Sport GT, could definitely change your mind.

Locally, petrolheads can look forward to the Volkswagen Tiguan R making landfall in SA.

Further Reading

Volkswagen Tiguan R International Launch Review

Volkswagen Tiguan Specs and Price for 2021