Volkswagen Atlas Basecamp Concept offers a new way off the beaten path
From Vermont’s Kingdom Trails to Moab, Utah, mountain biking has grown in recent years to become a favorite outdoor sport of millions of Americans. The Volkswagen Atlas Basecamp Concept, on display at the 2019 New York International Auto Show, demonstrated how the Atlas could be transformed into a mountain biker’s dream touring machine.
The Basecamp starts with a 2019 Atlas SEL Premium, powered by the 276-hp VR6 engine paired with 4MOTION® all-wheel drive; that combination bolsters the off-road1 presence of the Atlas with a new stance. Custom fifteen52 brand Traverse MX Concept wheels wearing 265/70R17 all-terrain tires debuted on the Basecamp, ahead of the anticipated production at fifteen52 this fall. The Basecamp Atlas also rides 1.5 inches higher thanks to coil-over springs from H&R Special Springs.
The Basecamp Concept wears a combination of matte-finished Platinum Gray and Black Uni paint, with orange accents and a rugged body kit from Air Design. There’s a 40-inch LED bar up front and a 10-inch light bar on the rear with fog lights for extra illumination. The roof sports a FrontRunner Slimline II expandable roof-rack system with a low profile that’s easier to load bicycles and creates less wind drag than taller basket-type racks.
To complete the touring setup, a custom HIVE EX trailer could provide tow-along lodging in the wilderness. Wearing the same wheel/tire combo as the Basecamp, the HIVE EX trailer holds a queen-size bed with a mini-kitchen to store and cook food in the wilderness. With heating options, portable toilet, and hot shower along with a roof-mounted bike rack, the HIVE EX has almost every need covered.
