Volkswagen shows Atlas Cross Sport GT Concept

If you live in an area like I do where you see a lot of customized vehicles, The Volkswagen Atlas Sport Cross GT Concept wouldn't seem out of place. With one possible exception, the go factor. Volkswagen has taken care of that by fitting the drivetrain from the new Golf R (2.0-liter turbocharged four, 300 hp, seven-​speed DSG® automatic transmission, 4Motion® all-wheel-drive) for more oomph. Granted, the Sport Cross GT would not be as fast as the Golf R due ro the extra weight, but it would probably be the quickest Atlas model. Using a 2021 Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line as its base, the GT Concept includes upgrades like the special Eisvogelblau paint color, 22-inch ABT Sport HR AEROWHEELs wrapped in Yokohama Advan Sport V105 UHP 285/35R22 tires; lowered ST Suspension with XTA Plus 3 coilovers with color-matched and GT Concept-branded springs; TAROX eight-piston front brakes; and gloss black exterior trim and custom GT badging. Inside, the Eisvogelblau color was used throughout from the custom RECARO Sportster CS seats to the custom blue gear shift and safety belts. While VW gave no word on the production of the Atlas Sport Cross GT Concept in Tennessee, the concept will be touring to gather potential buyer reaction. Who knows. If they can homologate the Golf R powertrain into the Atlas easily and with little extra testing to meet government regulations, we might see this one at your local dealer. If this looks like something for you, let VW know. Click on "read more" below fore more info.

Source: Volkswagen - Media release, pics

Volkswagen intros new Golf R with R-Performance Torque-Vectoring 4Motion all-wheel drive

Volkswagen's Golf (now in its eighth generation) has been a mainstay in the automaker's line-up as the replacement for the venerable Beetle. Since then, the Golf has received numerous upgrades including the performance-oriented GTI and R models. Where the GTI is a well-balanced run-a-bout, the Golf R is all about speed and handling with 4Motion all-wheel drive. This newest Performance Golf R features an upgraded engine with more than 315 hp and torque-vectoring added to the all-wheel-drive system. Expect the new Golf R to hit 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds and early prototypes have posted record times (for Golfs) at Germany's Nürburgring Nordschleife racing center. As the top-of-the Golf line, the R receives all of VW's good stuff from tech to safety equipment. As anyone who's shopped a Golf R before, prices can climb to the mid-five-figure region quickly depending on options chosen, etc. VW may not sell tons of these, but those lucky enough to come up with the price of entry are generally very happy. On a down note, couldn't all this have been accomplished with a performance-hybrid system (gas engine in the front driving the front wheels, electric motor in the back driving the rear wheels) which could provide equal or better performance with improved fuel economy and provide a bit of a "green" patina. VW is expected to phase out the Golf over the next few years and replace it with the iD.3 EV series. Rumor has it that VW is already at work on an iD.3 GTI. We shall see. Enjoy the media release and video after the jump.

Source: Volkswagen - Media release, video, and pics after the "read more" jump.