The updated Teramont X was recently unveiled in China, which is good news for the US-based Volkswagen SUV fans.
VW's Teramont X is essentially a rebadged Atlas Cross Sport. Why did VW move away from T-named SUVs and crossovers (Touareg, Tiguan, T-Cross, Taos, etc) in favor of Atlas? So that Americans won't have a hard time saying the name, according to the rumor mill. Apparently, Atlas rolls off the tongue, while Teramont twists it up.
In any case, this is the facelifted Teramont X, which will eventually change its name once it's assembled in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The Atlas Cross Sport was meant to offer the style of a BMW X6 at a significantly reduced price, though the pre-facelift model's design is still on the safe side.
The revamped model is a lot more aggressive, which should help VW sell a bit more in a segment where style takes preference over practicality.
You'll notice a new LED light pattern, a gloss black grille, and a more assertive lower bumper with massive faux air intakes sans the chrome strips found on the pre-facelift model. The headlight clusters are connected to the front badge via thin LED light bars, and the badge is also backlit with LED tech.
VW continues with the new black theme down the side, with deep tinted windows, gloss-black alloy wheels, and red brake calipers. The model displayed here has R-Line badging, so VW will likely also sell a toned-down version for people who don't want to go complete extrovert.
Instead of two separate taillights, the updated Atlas Cross Sport has a single piece of black trim connecting redesigned LED lights. The two lights are also connected via a thin LED strip, but here they glow red.
Overall, it's a significant style update, but the press release does not mention powertrain updates. That means the current engines will likely be carried over.
In the USA, the Atlas Cross Sport is available in mild and slightly less mild. The standard engine is VW's evergreen 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot producing 235 horsepower, available in FWD or AWD. A more powerful naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 is available, producing 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque.