VW Talagon Debuts in Shanghai as a Mega-Atlas
VW Talagon revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show is a model positioned above the Atlas, but shares MQB platform with the Atlas.
The Talagon is aimed at large luxury crossovers in the Chinese domestic market, and is not expected to be offered outside Asia.
We're used to the Chattanooga-built Volkswagen Atlas by now, the three-row model having debuted a few years ago, but now there is a new VW model larger than the Atlas and the Touareg.
Say "ni hao" to the Volkswagen Talagon, which debuted at the Shanghai Motor Show and is aiming for the largest crossovers currently on the market in China. The three-row model is intended to be a luxury offering close in size to the Audi Q7 but more affordable in price, offering a choice of six or seven seats.
Based on the MQB Evo platform, the Talagon measures 202.8 inches from bow to stern, making it about 4 inches longer than a Kia Telluride and over 3 inches longer than the Audi Q7. With a height of 70.7 inches it's also about two inches taller than the Telluride, and 2.2 inches taller than the Q7 once again. However, its wheelbase length is identical to the Atlas, so this is where its MQB platform roots are noticeable on paper.
A 2.5-liter V6 does the work underhood, but the powerplant is not really the main event here.
The Talagon is all about interior comfort, serving up captain's chairs in the second row and a surprisingly tall cabin inside, to compete with the accommodations of the most luxurious minivans. Those looking at the Atlas and the Talagon won't find many similarities inside, either, with the Talagon featuring a unique center console with a large bin underneath the shifter pod, as well as the latest version of Volkswagen's infotainment screen. Overall, the layout of the dash and center console are quite different from the Atlas, which features a centrally mounted screen flanked by AC vents and a center console that transitions in the the center armrest.
The Talagon is intended as an alternative the Chinese market's demand for luxury MPVs, which is a segment that doesn't really exist in too many other regions at the moment. As a competitor to the likes of the Buick GL8 luxury MPV, the Talagon is a welcome addition to Wolfsburg's lineup in China.
If you're suddenly finding your Atlas too snug inside, don't rush out to your VW dealer to put a deposit on the Talagon—this model is not headed stateside, despite the American consumer market's taste for large crossovers. Given its MQB underpinnings, however, we wouldn't rule out an upcoming Atlas refresh or redesign being inspired by some of the elements of the Talagon.
Should VW offer the Talagon in the States? Let us know in the comments below.
