Taking a splash-colored 2027 Volkswagen Atlas around a frozen lake was awesome – Jalopnik

When I hear the phrase “on ice,” it conjures up images of figure skaters in Disney-themed costumes. A fun night out at the arena with family, but not the typical way to get introduced to the world of Mickey Mouse for the first time. I walked away with a similar impression after driving the 2027 Volkswagen Atlas on an ice lake for the first time last week. The German automaker even covered the prototype SUVs in colorful camouflage for the teaser event.

Full disclosure: Volkswagen flew me to Quebec and put me up in a remote lakeside hotel so I could drive the 2027 Atlas.

Under the camouflage, the new Atlas is clearly different from the previous generation. The model shifts to the MQB Evo platform, the same as the current generation Tiguan. The Atlas will also have the same engine: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It’s also easy to see some styling cues borrowed from the compact crossover despite the camouflage. The sharper angles of the body make the SUV look more aggressive and angular than its predecessor. However, the new Atlas retains the same wheelbase as the previous generation.

The exercise became quite manageable after a few attempts. It wasn’t just a matter of acclimating to the surface, but also realizing that the Atlas’s all-wheel drive system tended to deliver more power to the front wheels. When traction is paramount, it’s a bad idea to ask the front tires to guide the SUV while pulling you forward. After that point it clicked. After the circle I had to link my slide to an adjacent circle on the lake for a figure eight. The third exercise, floating around the horseshoe of cones, felt like a breeze.

But I was completely blown away by the final challenge: a lap around an ice race track. Getting the Atlas through a flawless lap was a challenge as some corners were completely polished, while others were covered in compacted snow. These conditions also changed from lap to lap as I rode around the track in a group of three. Not to mention, it had started snowing.

I also can’t go into much detail about the all new interior. The windows are also camouflaged for a reason and I was not allowed to take pictures of the inside. You’ll just have to wait until the 2027 Volkswagen Atlas is unveiled at the New York Auto Show in April to get a better idea of ​​what the SUV has to offer. If you still want a new Atlas in your garage, you can purchase one when it becomes available later this year.