NEWS
Volkswagen gets set to reclaim premium pick-up market with introduction of all-new Amarok
V
olkswagen has unveiled the all-new Amarok, a premium pick-up truck which will be rolled out in various markets around the world starting from the end of this year. Built in South Africa, the Amarok has been developed alongside the new Ford Ranger and will share that vehicle’s platform, drivetrains and cabin architecture. However the two manufacturers will position their vehicles differently, with the Amarok seeking to retain the top of the double-cab market – which its predecessor did an excellent job of making its own during a decade-long production run from 2010 to 2020. Globally, the Amarok will be available in Single-Cab and Double-Cab
6 | SEPTEMBER 2022
5.5 Scene News Sep 22.indd 6
form and with a choice of up to five engines. These are 2.0-litre TDI diesels developing 150, 170 and 204bhp, a 3.0-litre TDI with 241bhp and a 2.3-litre petrol unit with 302bhp. It’s likely that only the 170, 204 and 240bhp diesels will be offered in the UK. Five and six-speed manual gearboxes will exist in the range, though it’s unlikely that these will come to Britain. Instead, the 10-speed auto unit from the current Ranger can be expected to appear in most if not all Amaroks, with a six-speed auto also a possibility on entry-level models. A choice of transfer cases offering both part-time and full-time fourwheel drive will also be available to Volkswagen’s importers around the world; it’s likely that Britain will only
see the latter. However a welcome change from the old Amarok is that being related to the Ranger, it will follow Ford’s lead in having both high and low-range gearing across all models. Previously, this was only available on vehicles with part-time four-wheel drive – a deal-breaker for many potential buyers. Another huge obstacle in the way of sales to traditional pickup buyers was the old Amarok’s towing capacity, which lagged behind almost everything else in the market. However this too has been addressed, with the 3500kg legal maximum now applying on all the engines likely to come here. Another area in which the old Amarok fell short was its rear-seat legroom, which was cramped at
best. This can be expected to be market-leading in the new Fordbased model; the old Ranger, which was longer overall, used its extra length to great effect here and the new platform will allow both companies to deliver excellent legroom for all five passengers in double-cab models. The Amarok’s 3270mm wheelbase is 173mm longer than before, and its overall length of 5350mm is 96mm longer. Thus the biggest gain is in the cabin area – though as Volkswagen points out, its shorter overhangs will also allow greater off-road ability, albeit at the cost of a less agile breakover angle. For customers brave enough to take their expensive new truck in deep water, the new Amarok’s wading depth will be 800mm – a major
4x4 02/08/2022 00:03
