VW Adds Basecamp Accessories to Atlas Cross Sport

by Matthew Guy

Published: October 18th, 2023

vw adds basecamp accessories to atlas cross sport

Several automakers have decided to ‘offroadify’ some of their crossovers – Mazda with the CX-50, Honda with their Trailsport trim, and Subaru’s new Wilderness packages to name a few. Volkswagen is taking a different tack, choosing to offer a raft of accessories instead of installing items on the assembly line.

Part of the Basecamp line of accessories, owners of an Atlas Cross Sport can now opt for styling components inspired by the Atlas Basecamp concept vehicle from a few years ago. Available individually or as a complete Basecamp kit (would you like fries with that, sir?) these custom body elements do create a more rugged look, one totally in keeping with the crushingly popular overland craze. In addition to a body kit, this accessory line also offers up off-road(ish) wheels which actually look more than decent when paired with a beefy set of all-terrain tires. Like most things in life, it appears those are sold separately.

“As consumers and dealers continue to seek SUVs with rugged appearance characteristics, we will continue to offer accessory options that allow them to further personalize their Volkswagen SUV,” said Petar Danilovic, Senior Vice President of Product Marketing and Strategy at Volkswagen of America. “It made sense to expand the line to include Atlas Cross Sport alongside Atlas and the Taos Basecamp styling program.”

It also makes sense to offer these items as accessories a customer can opt for (and pay for) when buying their shiny new Atlas Cross Sport, since it will juice the average transaction price and can be financed over however many years. Of course, there’s nothing stopping owners who already have an ACS from fronting the cash and springing for these things, either.

Speaking of, the styling components full kit for Atlas Cross Sport have an MSRP of $2,774 which breaks down to roughly 700 clams each for the front and rear valance, side door so-called skid plates, and fender flares. Those 17-inch wheels are produced specifically for VW by a company called fifteen52 and will drain $315 (each) from your bank account. Tires in the recommended size of 245/70R17 aren’t part of the deal; a good set of BFGoodrich KO2s in that size run about $235 per at Tire Rack. Reaching into our basic math class, this means all the kit – including tires – will cost approximately five grand.

[Images: Volkswagen]

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#VW #AtlasCrossSport #AllWheelDrive #Accessories

Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

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4 of 14 comments

Tassos on Oct 19, 2023

Α few years ago I rented a Passat from Toronto back to MI. At first it looked great on the outside, but when I sat in it, the cheapness of most materials was obvious and ruined the experience (the Auto tranny did not help either). Very flimsy crap, you could feel the cheapness everywhere. These were made in Tennessee and were far more inferior (at least in quality of materials) than Euro Passats, as people who know far more about this told me, when I told them.

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- Theflyersfan on Oct 19, 2023
  
  During my GLI days, I had (let me think here...) 3 new Passats as loaners. And you are absolutely correct. It was an almost cynical attempt at VW to make an "American Sedan." There was absolutely no German feel to it - no solid feeling, no pinpoint steering, etc. Even the steering wheel was offset a bit! Some with under 5,000 miles were already rattling, the "pleather" felt like bad vinyl, the basic stereo sounded like a basic stereo from the 1990s, the hard plastics were hollow feeling and everywhere, and it had a feeling of being built to the lowest, cheapest price point so VW would have a midsized sedan on the showroom floor. They were even saddled with the 6-speed automatic when the rest of the lineup has either the DSG or 8-speed.
  Even though their quality (and I'll be nice) verged on laughable at times, the Passats of, say, 20 years ago were far better looking and driving. But this final generation American Passat? Just why, VW?
  
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- Redapple2 on Oct 20, 2023
  
  Yoh fan....................It was an almost cynical attempt at VW to make an "American Sedan." There was absolutely no German feel to it - no solid feeling, no pinpoint steering, etc. Even the steering wheel was offset a bit! Some with under 5,000 miles were already rattling, the "pleather" felt like bad vinyl, t.............................. These are the same issues mentioned when the westmoreland PA Golfs were sold.
  
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Dukeisduke on Oct 19, 2023

Editors sleeping in again today?

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