Volkswagen’s “Brand SUV Night” event held in
Shanghai on the eve of the auto show. FAW-Volkswagen, one of VW’s joint ventures in China, has lifted the
veils off the biggest SUV ever to wear the VW badge. It’s called the SMV and it is presented as a concept vehicle. It looks very much like a production model
to us and we expect it to enter production rather sooner than later. Targeting
big Chinese families, the seven-seat VW SMV is bigger than the Atlas, measuring 5,100 mm in length.
The SMV is based on
the MQB modular architecture and features familiar engines — for the Chinese
market, at least. That’s because it shares powertrains with the Teramont. The
ubiquitous 2.0-liter TSI will be the entry-level choice while the
China-exclusive 2.5-liter TSI VR6 EA390 engine will power the high-end versions
of the SMV. Mated to a seven-speed DSG transmission and 4Motion AWD, the
six-cylinder engine makes 299 PS and 499 Nm of torque.
Not much else is known about the VW SMV and interior
photos haven’t been released yet. However, given the vehicle’s footprint, we
can speculate that it’s a true seven-seater that offers plenty of space for
adult passengers even in the third row. Also to be expected are big screens for
the infotainment system and instrument panel.
Styling-wise, the SMV adopts Volkswagen’s latest
design language and looks quite dynamic for an SUV that’s so big. The curved
and creased bonnet, muscular wheel arches and the sporty treatment applied to
the D-pillar all contribute to that impression. The LED headlights and
taillights that span across the entire width of the car serve to give the SMV a
contemporary look.
