Volkswagen's new 7-seater SUV is Atlas in US, Teramont in China; will it come to India?

German car maker Volkswagen has revealed a new SUV for the US and the Chinese market. Christened as Atlas, the new SUV will haul seven Americans, while the counterpart Teramont will seat seven Chinese adults. VW Altas will be manufactured at Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant while the Teramont will be made in China by the Shanghai-Volkswagen joint venture.

The Teramont and the Atlas are twins differentiated only by a few details and engines. Measuring a length of 5,037mm, a width of 1,979mm and a height of 1,768mm, the Atlas is larger than any other Volkswagen passenger vehicle sold in the US. Based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB) platform, the SUV twins feature the latest Volkswagen design DNA that sports classic proportions and clean lines. The face of the SUV features standard LED headlights and LED Daytime Running Lights, while LED taillights are optional to complete the look.

Inside, the Atlas/Teramont makes maximum use of its dimensions to offer space for seven adults and their luggage according to VW. It also features driver-centric displays and optional Active Info Display allows drivers options for configuring the display.

Volkswagen Car-Net offers standard App-Connect technology that offers integration with the three smartphone platforms -- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink. The new Atlas model also features a Fender Premium audio system with 12 speakers and a 480 Watt amplifier. Depending on the equipment line, the SUV flaunts features such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist), Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist), and Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist).

The Atlas will be offered in two engine options -- a 2.0-litre turbocharged TSI motor developing 238hp and 3.6-litre V6 engine developing 280hp mated to an eight-speed transmission. The Teramont will have three powertrain options. The 2.0-litre TFSI engine will be offered in 186hp and 220hp state of tunes, while 2.5-litre V6 TFSI will belt out 299hp. All engines will be mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

There is no word on the arrival of this seven seater SUV in India at present. Currently, Volkswagen India is gearing up for the launch of Tiguan 5-seater SUV in India. Considering India as a hotbed for seven-seater SUV, the entry of Atlas/ Teramont in India sometime in 2018 cannot be written off.