cars news 10: Volkswagen Atlas Weekend Edition Concept is Road Trip-Ready

The all-new 2018 Volkswagen Atlas arrives this spring, and it just can’t get here soon enough for some. To make matters worse, VW is teasing us with an Atlas Weekend Edition concept at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show.

VW says it’s a throwback to the “Weekender” packages last seen in vintage Vanagon and Eurovan pop-up campers — minus the roomier sleeping area. There’s even an option that lets you take your four-legged friends with you on your weekend adventures. The pooch below seems to be putting that cargo area to good use, too.

The new concept follows the Atlas R-Line Performance package that was unveiled at the Detroit auto show last month.

The Atlas Weekend Edition is based on the SEL Premium all-wheel-drive model that offers a 3.6-liter V-6 engine with 276 hp on tap. That hearty engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Unlike the R-Line Performance package that gets 20-inch wheels, this seven-passenger SUV rolls on 18-inch ones and gets an “Urban Loader” cargo box with an expandable 17.7 cubic-feet of extra space up top. The concept also sports carrier bars for skis, snowboards, bikes, and whatever else you might want to take with you.

Inside there’s a pet-friendly barrier behind the second row, so that animals and even most kids can ride comfortably.

Universal mounts are added behind the seat headrests for Android and iOS tablets, but the expandable mounts can also be used to hold most smartphones as well. Other accessories include window and hood deflectors, heavy-duty trunk liner, cargo cover, splash guards, and wheel locks.

VW says most of these accessories will be available from dealers when the Atlas goes on sale this spring. Let the road trips begin.

Source: Volkswagen