Volkswagen Decides to Insert The Golf R’s 300HP Engine in the Atlas Cross Sport GT Concept
In an attempt to show the world what a performance Volkswagen SUV can do, car builder Jamie Orr, in collaboration with Volkswagen, put together the Atlas Cross Sport GT Concept. A modified Atlas Cross Sport with engine upgrades and several performance features. Its main feature is under the hood, the Golf R’s Turbo four-cylinder engine following a custom suspension, an upgraded interior, and unique exterior design elements.
Performance Inspired by the Golf R
Inspiration comes from the Golf R, and thus, Volkswagen takes the Golf R’s EA288 Turbo 4-cylinder engine and inserts it in the Atlas Cross Sport GT Concept giving it 300hp with a few engine tunings. The powertrain connects to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox that powers all four wheels enabling it to launch faster than a standard (unmodified) Atlas Cross Sport. The GT Concept rides on a custom suspension setup with 22-inch ABT Sport wheels, and Recaro performance seats in the interior add more sporty flavor that car enthusiasts like to see.
According to Volkswagen Group of America CEO Scott Keogh, these upgrades prove that even standard family SUVs with performance enhancements get rid of the boring factor and make SUVs exciting to drive. This means that converting power from its performance hatchbacks into family-oriented SUVs is appealing to Volkswagen, which can draw in more sales from performance-oriented buyers seeking an SUV with more power.
Custom-Handcrafted Design
Jamie Orr is a Volkswagen enthusiast and brand ambassador that uses a 2021 Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line SUV as the base for the GT Concept and infuses it with a handful of performance mods and visual elements. With an engine swap being the first item on the list, the stock 3.6 L V6 no longer sits in the engine bay to accommodate the compact and more efficient Turbo 4-cylinder from the Golf R Hatchback.
Other custom elements include:
- A much lower and sportier stance
- Blue exterior and interior accents
- Bigger Tarox eight-piston calipers
Exploring the Potential of Performance SUVs
Although the Concept SUV is just an experimental project car, it still shows that Volkswagen is making an effort to explore how to make its SUV lineup more attractive to enthusiasts. With strong enough feedback from consumers, Volkswagen might consider building a sportier Atlas R in the future to bring more sporty flavor to its lineup of vehicles.
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Image Source: Volkswagen