edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
The company that has the most ridiculous strategy on the North American market strikes again.
VW is in deep crisis, like most of the German automotive industry (except BMW). However, VW holds a special place in the German economy.
Yet, on the 2nd biggest market, which is not plagued by cheap Chinese junk, they are having a "strategy" that I just do not get it.
The first Atlas was a response to the growing SUV market. Having owned 2021 Atlas, I must say it was a missed opportunity as the design of the vehicle was IMO everything that the family needs (one of the biggest interiors, without junk seats like in Toyota or weird driving positions like in Honda), however with soft suspension, trying to please Americans, but obviously not knowing how to execute suspension like that.
Choice of engines was an attempt to keep distance from Audi, using an obsolete VR6 and an outdated EA888 design that did not make the vehicle stand out. Much of the competition had more power and often better mpg. Not that VW does not have engines on the shelf. In China, they used a turbo VR6, while Audi has a 5-cylinder turbo engine on the shelf.
But the biggest sin was no hybrid. Actually, VW has had the Tiguan hybrid in Europe for the last 5-6 years, and they never brought it here.
And now this:
2027 VW Atlas
The size stays the same, with a big, useful interior. That is good.
On the other hand, the interior has a huge display with what seems to be the same ridiculous controls as in the latest update of the first generation.
The engine stays EA888, BUT while hp is going up to 283hp, the torque is going DOWN! The whole point of turbo engines is more useful torque at lower rpms. The torque goes to 258lb-ft where 2.0T was from 2018 to 2024. Pilot has V6 (drove it, nothing special, but still it is V6), Toyota has 2.4T with much higher torque etc.
However, the biggest thing is: no hybrid until 2030, at least!
I really don't understand this company! Who are these people, and in what world do they live in?
VW is in deep crisis, like most of the German automotive industry (except BMW). However, VW holds a special place in the German economy.
Yet, on the 2nd biggest market, which is not plagued by cheap Chinese junk, they are having a "strategy" that I just do not get it.
The first Atlas was a response to the growing SUV market. Having owned 2021 Atlas, I must say it was a missed opportunity as the design of the vehicle was IMO everything that the family needs (one of the biggest interiors, without junk seats like in Toyota or weird driving positions like in Honda), however with soft suspension, trying to please Americans, but obviously not knowing how to execute suspension like that.
Choice of engines was an attempt to keep distance from Audi, using an obsolete VR6 and an outdated EA888 design that did not make the vehicle stand out. Much of the competition had more power and often better mpg. Not that VW does not have engines on the shelf. In China, they used a turbo VR6, while Audi has a 5-cylinder turbo engine on the shelf.
But the biggest sin was no hybrid. Actually, VW has had the Tiguan hybrid in Europe for the last 5-6 years, and they never brought it here.
And now this:
2027 VW Atlas
The size stays the same, with a big, useful interior. That is good.
On the other hand, the interior has a huge display with what seems to be the same ridiculous controls as in the latest update of the first generation.
The engine stays EA888, BUT while hp is going up to 283hp, the torque is going DOWN! The whole point of turbo engines is more useful torque at lower rpms. The torque goes to 258lb-ft where 2.0T was from 2018 to 2024. Pilot has V6 (drove it, nothing special, but still it is V6), Toyota has 2.4T with much higher torque etc.
However, the biggest thing is: no hybrid until 2030, at least!
I really don't understand this company! Who are these people, and in what world do they live in?
