Volkswagen’s Tanoak concept is an Atlas-based pickup truck
What is it? A concept from Volkswagen to be sure, but nonetheless a pickup from one of the three biggest automakers in the world.
Why does it matter? Did you see the bit about it being a pickup from Volkswagen?
The Tanoak is based on the Atlas SUV, giving the short-bed, dual-cab pickup an overall length of 5,440 millimetres. For perspective, that’s a hair shorter than a short bed, crew cab Chevrolet Colorado but significantly shorter than a Silverado.
Like the Atlas, the Tanoak is powered by VW’s 3.6-litre V6, though unlike the Cross Sport concept, without the hybrid electric motors. That means the gasoline V6 — there’s no mention, as you can imagine, of a diesel — is good for 276 horsepower and 266 poundfeet of torque, all directed to a 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.
Inside, the Tanoak is a “very spacious” five-seater, with sporty, contoured seats in front and with the passengers in the second row sitting on individual seats that match the ergonomics of the front row.
When is it coming? That depends on whether it gets a positive reaction on the auto-show circuit.
Should you buy it? Well, you can’t, of course, because it’s a concept, but Volkswagen’s official statement is that “although there are currently no production plans for the Tanoak, we are is keen to gauge the reactions of buyers and media.” If it is well received, the “U.S.-produced Atlas SUV has the potential to grow into a model family.”
In other words, unless we all throw rocks at it, the Tanoak will be produced, and probably sooner rather than later.