Volkswagen Group of America on Friday offered an Atlas Basecamp Concept SUV, which showcases ways the Chattanooga-made vehicle can be enhanced for trail seekers.
The Basecamp Concept features a custom body, lift kit, custom wheels, all-terrain tires, roof rack with bike mounts, and LED light bars, according to the German automaker with an assembly plant in Chattanooga.
The Basecamp Concept, designed with endurance mountain biking in mind, is the brainchild of Alex Earle, exterior design manager at the Volkswagen Design Center in California and avid cyclist, the company said.
"The Basecamp Concept brings a go-anywhere attitude to the brand that is already synonymous with road-trip culture," said Earle. "Whether you are taking on a series of challenging single-tracks with your favorite mountain bike or enjoying a relaxing evening under the night sky, the versatility of the Basecamp Concept provides ideal mobile solutions for just about any adventure."
Using a Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium as the canvas, the Basecamp Concept is painted Platinum Gray and Black Uni with a matte finish and orange accents.
The SEL Premium trim comes standard with a 3.6-liter VR6 engine making 276 hp and an eight-speed transmission, paired with Volkswagen 4Motion all-wheel drive with Drive Mode Selection, according to VW.
The Atlas Basecamp Concept can be viewed in person at the 2019 New York International Auto Show next week, the company said.
U.S. sales of the seven-seat Atlas last month hit an all-time high at 7,381 vehicles, according to VW.
Scott Keogh, Volkswagen Group of America's chief executive, said the Atlas is one of three solid-selling vehicles on which the company can build in the future. The other two are the Tiguan SUV and newly redesigned Jetta compact car.
"We finally have a nice platform to continue to grow our business," Keogh said. "If you look at Volkswagen historically, we sat on one car and we rode that one car. You can't succeed that way with the ebb and flow of market shifts."
The company official said it "fought for the Atlas" SUV, noting the vehicle was designed and made for the American market for the most part.
"The vehicle is doing quite well," he said. "People surprised themselves a bit. This whole SUV trend in America is basically becoming a worldwide sweep."
Just recently, VW's Chattanooga plant began so-called "pre-series" production of a five-seat version of the Atlas called the Cross Sport. That vehicle is slated to hit dealerships early next year.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.