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VW Atlas Basecamp concept brings the outdoors into the New York Auto Show

It takes the Atlas' blocky looks and adds a dash of hardcore off-road cred.

Jake Holmes Reviews Editor
While studying traditional news journalism in college, Jake realized he was smitten by all things automotive and wound up with an internship at Car and Driver. That led to a career writing news, review and feature stories about all things automotive at Automobile Magazine, most recently at Motor1. When he's not driving, fixing or talking about cars, he's most often found on a bicycle.
Jake Holmes
2 min read
Volkswagen Atlas Basecamp concept
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Volkswagen Atlas Basecamp concept

This Atlas concept was "designed with endurance mountain biking in mind," VW says.

Steven Pham/Roadshow

Outdoors fanatics will be excited for this one. At the 2019 New York Auto Show, Volkswagen debuted a modified Atlas that is built for people who are ready to camp, hike or bike their way across our amber waves of grain.

Called the Atlas Basecamp, the concept is ideal "whether you are taking on a series of challenging single-tracks with your favorite mountain bike or enjoying a relaxing evening under the night sky," Alex Earle, exterior design manager at the Volkswagen Design Center in California, said in a statement.

The concept is based upon a Volkswagen Atlas SEL that's dolled up in matte-finish black-and-gray paintwork with various orange accents and "Basecamp" badges. Concept wheels from tuning company fifteen52 wear upsized all-terrain tires, new H&R springs raise the Atlas by 1.5 inches and the crossover gets some extra visual punch from a new body kit by Air Design. To accommodate all those adventures in the great outdoors, the Atlas Basecamp concept also has front and rear LED light bars and a Front Runner Slim Line II rack on the roof.

What's even more interesting about the concept is that it's towing a "compact expedition" Hive EX trailer -- or at least it was in Volkswagen's pictures, as the trailer is not attached at the auto show. The trailer has the same wheel-and-tire setup as the Atlas tow vehicle, and features mountain-bike racks on the roof. It also can serve as a mobile basecamp for all those aforementioned adventures, as the trailer contains a queen-sized bed, a kitchenette with a stove and sink, a portable toilet, a hot-water shower and even a refrigerator.

While the Volkswagen Atlas Basecamp is not going into production, it should stoke the imagination of adventurous folks who might want to use the crossover for outdoor activities. After appearing at the New York show, the concept will also be shown at this year's SEMA show in Las Vegas in November.

Originally published April 12.
Update, April 18: Added live photos from the NY Auto Show.

The Volkswagen Atlas Basecamp concept is ready for adventure

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