Volkswagen’s Largest SUV Ever is Not Intended for North America
While Audi has recently been spotted testing a mystery SUV prototype larger than the Q7, parent company Volkswagen is also preparing to launch its biggest SUV ever.
The problem? It’s exclusively designed for China.
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As was the case with the ID.4 and ID.6 electric crossovers (the latter likely won’t come to North America, as well, although a VW representative admitted it is “conceivable”), the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technologies has leaked images of what will be called “Talagon.”
The thing you have to understand is that automakers in China are required to submit pictures of their new production models before they hit the market.
The Talagon is a full-size SUV based on the SMV concept that Volkswagen introduced in Shanghai back in 2019. It shares its MQB platform with the Atlas (sold as Teramont in China), but stands about 11 centimetres longer. It’s also wider and taller, though by a much smaller margin.
The silhouette is less boxy, front and rear, which gives this SUV a sportier profile.
Despite its formidable size and weight, the Talagon will reportedly make do with a 2.0-litre TSI engine producing 186 or 220 horsepower depending on the trim level (the Atlas ranges from 235-276 horsepower). Clearly, that’s not nearly enough to meet the needs of customers on this continent. Still, it’s interesting to see the Germans try to emulate the Americans.
And let’s not forget that South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia may follow suit, too, based on comments made by some of their top executives. Same thing at Honda.