Check out Volkswagen’s 5.1m-long SMV SUV Concept

KUALA LUMPUR: SUVs seem to be getting bigger and bigger, and the latest entrant into the category is the Volkswagen SMV Concept. FAW and Volkswagen will jointly develop this SUV. Measuring over 5100 mm long and displays  3000 mm wheelbase, the SMV Concept will have serious road presence and be very spacious. This makes it even larger than the Atlas.

The SMV Concept will be the largest vehicle to sit Volkswagen’s MQB platform, which also underpins the Atlas and Atlas Sport Concept. Volkswagen Design Chief, Klaus Bischoff said the SMV Concept will be “the most prestigious car in the history of FAV-VW Volkswagen.” Thanks to the MQB platform, we should see a wide array of engines to choose from, with a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder unit kicking off the range.

Over in China, we could see the SMV Concept with an exclusive 2.5-litre turbocharges VR6 engine which pumps put 299 PS and 499 Nm of torque. You can also expect the new SUV to have Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system and a 7-speed DSG as standard across the range.

Design wise, the SMV Concept adopts Volkswagen’s latest design language and looks almost production ready. The big SUV looks quite dynamic with the creased bonnet, muscular wheel arches, and sporty treatment applied to the D-pillar. A 2-slat chrome grille dominates the front with sleek headlights and DRLs which meet the grille. The rear end is rather stylish with a continuous LED strip running across the length of the tailgate. The VW badge is also adorned with LEDs, though we think this may not make it to the production version. The trapezoidal exhaust tips and blacked out rear spoil complete the look.

The interiors of the SMV Concept was not shown, but based on the sheer size, we can expect it to have plenty of space in all three rows. No details have been provided as to when the SMV Concept will hit the market. Volkswagen will build the new SUV in China for China, and it will not see the light of day in other markets.