Atlas Tanoak is the VW truck for America

Volkswagen has showcased their all-new truck concept, the Atlas Tanoak, at the New York Auto Show. Based on the new Atlas SUV, this double-cab pickup truck might go into production in the US if VW gauges enough traction for the brand in the truck-loving nation.

Last week, we wrote about how Volkswagen has never had a truck in the US market despite building the Amarok for a number of markets around the worlds. Well, looks like VW has tried to make amends with an entirely new design based on the Atlas SUV, which is in fact the largest SUV ever built on the MQB platform. 

Well, the Atlas is also based on the monocoque MQB platform and is powered by the potent 3.6-litre diesel V6 from the Volkswagen family. With 276bhp on tap, an eight-speed automatic gearbox and the 4Motion all-wheel-drive unit, it certainly has the size as well as the go. While it is too early to say if it is as tough as the ladder-frame mammoths, it certainly will be more efficient and agile.

It gets the Atlas face - a typical VW facia with the twin horizontal slats and the big logo in the centre of the grille, which in this case, is illuminated. With exposed tow-hook integrated into the bumper design, the squared wheel arches and the twin exhausts in the back, it tries to get together a good blend of muscle and sporty.