At the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show
last April, Volkswagen unveiled the SMV, a concept that previews a production
SUV larger than the Teramont – aka Atlas in North America.
Fast forward to present day
and our spy photographers caught it testing in the cold in northern Sweden,
trying to hide its design underneath vinyl stickers. At a first glance, it does
look similar to the study, albeit toned down at both ends, with smaller air
intakes and no light strips joining the head and taillamps together.
We already caught a glimpse of
the SMV’s interior, courtesy of the Chinese media, with a large
infotainment system, digital instrument cluster and flat-bottomed steering
wheel. The center console features a floating design and hosts the tiny gear
selector and a large storage cubby, which is probably where the wireless
charging pad for compatible smartphones is located. Elsewhere, the SUV boasts
leather and Alcantara, with contrast stitching, on the seats, dashboard and
door panels.
In spite of being spied in
Europe, the SMV, which comes from the FAW-VW joint venture, will be limited to
China, where it will probably launch with a 2.0-liter TSI petrol engine. Upper
specs might receive a 2.5-liter VR6 turbo from the Teramont rated at 299 PS and 499 Nm of torque, matched to a seven-speed
dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Under the sheetmetal likes the
VW Group’s MQB modular architecture, which is compatible with numerous
powertrains. The manufacturer is expected to lift the curtain on the SMV later
this year.
