The APR tuner, known for upgrading various Volkswagen products, has drawn its attention to the VW with probably the least credibility of its performance, the VW-Atlas crossover with three rows. And the results are an Atlas with considerable strength and even some improved off-road capabilities. Whether it looks better, our office is divided, mainly because of the flashy green exterior.
However, mechanical upgrades are impressive, especially those related to power. APR started with an Atlas with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with turbocharger. It is the basic engine, good for 235 hp and a torque of 258 pounds-foot on premium fuel, which is less than the optional VR6 engine. But with turbo engines you simply get more power.
APR did it by exchanging a turbocharger with the same specifications as those in the Golf R. It was supplemented with a new intake, turbo inlet, exhaust chute, exhaust silencer, modified cat-back and an ECU tune. The result is an Atlas that delivers 350 hp and 350 pound-foot torque, much more than the VR6. APR also says that his Atlas also has four-wheel drive. Since VW does not offer the Atlas with the four-cylinder and four-wheel drive in the United States or Canada, APR must have added the components of the four-wheel drive later.
The power is certainly welcome in the large cross-over, and even more because of the wheels and tires of this specific model. It has 20-inch wheels with 275 mm wide mud tires. APR also added some ground clearance with a custom 1.5-inch suspension lift including new rear suspension arms. To bring this faster SUV with larger tires to a halt, the company has added 6-piston calipers and larger rotors.
By ignoring the definitive color scheme, the APR upgrades make the Atlas more interesting. The company says that this SUV is one-off, but that it is considering offering parts for the Atlas in the future. At the very least, we would expect some of the engine upgrades to be available since the four-cylinder is related to those in other Volkswagens.
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