Volkswagen has long held back from bringing its Touareg to the United States, leaving American buyers with the less sophisticated Atlas. Now, with the Atlas undergoing its second major facelift since 2017, a glimpse into the SUV’s future has surfaced—but it’s not necessarily a thrilling one.
Thanks to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in China, the redesigned Volkswagen Teramont Pro—China’s version of the Atlas—has been prematurely revealed ahead of its official debut. This has been a recurring theme for Chinese automobile releases, as the ministry’s vehicle registration process consistently leaks upcoming models through mandatory photo disclosures.
While we’re still awaiting full confirmation, this leak suggests that the Teramont Pro’s next generation will be nearly identical to the upcoming U.S.-spec Atlas. However, first impressions of the design show a more conservative, almost generic SUV, which might not win over those looking for something with a little more personality.
The front and rear styling seem to borrow heavily from Volkswagen’s other SUV offerings, giving off an impression of an upsized Tiguan rather than a fresh take on the Atlas. While the front air intakes on one version suggest a sportier trim—likely an R-Line equivalent—the overall look remains fairly uninspired. The Teramont Pro also features flush door handles, continuing the industry trend of sleek, smooth profiles.
In terms of size, the leaked information lists the Teramont Pro at 203 inches long, 78.3 inches wide, and 70.3 inches tall. Its wheelbase clocks in at 117.3 inches, almost identical to the current Atlas. Despite growing by about 2.3 inches in length, its other dimensions remain virtually unchanged.
Powering the Chinese Teramont Pro is a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 268 horsepower, distributed to all four wheels through Volkswagen’s 4Motion system. While the familiar 3.6-liter VR6 engine is missing, it’s possible the U.S. model might retain some variations in the powertrain lineup. Notably, the outgoing Teramont in China also features a stronger 2.5-liter V6 turbo option, which might appear in some global markets.
The debut of the Chinese Teramont Pro is expected soon, with the U.S. Atlas following in 2025, potentially arriving for the 2026 model year.
For now, it seems Volkswagen is playing it safe with a less daring design, potentially prioritizing function over form. Whether the U.S. audience will appreciate this approach remains to be seen.
