7 minute read
VW Amarok Full details revealed of the all-new premium pick-up
NEWS
Volkswagen gets set to reclaim premium pick-up market with introduction of all-new Amarok
Volkswagen 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 form and with a choice of up to fi ve 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 fi ve 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
OUR DEALERS ARE RECRUITING.
Working at a John Deere dealership is bigger than just a job. It’s a passion. It’s constant growth and development. And it’s pride - pride in your community, from the first customer you serve. It’s knowing that what you do helps to feed, clothe, and shelter the world. It all starts with you.
Become an apprentice technician and be connected for life. Engineering is a practical subject. It’s about making things work and fixing things that don’t. Learn to use the very latest John Deere equipment, working at the cutting edge of technology. Gain the expertise required to work in a fast developing, high-tech industry that uses complex mechanical, electronic and telematics systems. Develop practical skills and proficiency in a wide range of technical areas and be supported every step of the way.
Search and apply for an apprentice vacancy today! apprenticeshipfinder.co.uk/john-deere
ALREADY A QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN AND LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT CAREER MOVE?
Honor Miles, Apprentice Agricultural Service Technician
To check out qualified technician vacancies near you, find your local dealer here:
dealerlocator.deere.com
NEWS
The previous Amarok was the most convincingly premium pick-up ever to have been sold in the UK, and the new model will do everything to follow in its footsteps. A tablet-style infotainment screen is standard across the range; it measures 10” on lower-spec models and 12” on most that will come to Britain. Inductive phone charging, digital dash display and leather trim all become standard as you move up the range. A 10-speed auto box is likely to be fi tted on all UK models, though manual boxes will be offered in other markets. A very pleasing improvement over the old model is that all models will now get low range; previously, this was restricted only to the lowest-speccers. Look carefully and you’ll also see a button here for a rear locker, which is standard on the PanAmericana model
improvement over the 500mm of the previous model.
That’s before you add the snorkel that will be available as an accessory. Other off-road equipment on the list includes recovery points, underbody protection and uprated suspension adding a 20mm lift to the vehicle’s ground clearance.
While the Amarok will be presented as a working vehicle in many markets, Volkswagen also recognises that for other customers, particularly in the UK, it will be a leisure vehicle. To this end, a four-man roof tent will be available as an accessory – taking advantage of the vehicle’s 350kg static roof load capacity. Further load carrying options will also be offered, as will a choice of wheels ranging from 21” at the bling end of the scale to 18”, with all-terrain tyres, for the sort of use we like the sound of.
To this end, the global Amarok range will consist of fi ve models. The base-speccer, just called Amarok, will have adaptive cruise control, reversing camera, LED headlights, electric wing mirrors, a wide range of high-tech safety features and a tablet-format 10” DAB infotainment system with online connectivity. Its work-spec credentials are illustrated by 16” steel wheels, which sounds ideal for an expedition build, however it’s by no means certain that this model will be offered in the UK.
Alloy wheels arrive with the Life model, as do body-coloured bumpers, lumbar support and front parking sensors. Next up, the Style model adds dual-zone air-con, matrix LED headlights, a digital dash, inductive charging, a 230v power socket and 10-way driver’s seat adjustment; in addition, the alloys and media screen both get bigger.
Above this, Volkswagen will offer two parallel range-toppers. These are the Aventura, which has an urban theme to its styling, and the PanAmericana, described by the company as ‘the globetrotter of this product line.’
Both include a range of premium features including leather seats, a soft-touch faux leather dash, sat nav, Harman Kardon stereo, ambient cabin and cargo box lighting and high-tech features including park assist, 360-degree surround view and cruise control with intelligent speed assist via road sign recognition. Both are fi tted with an exclusive front bumper design, too. The Aventura rolls on 20” alloys as standard and gets various bits of extra chrome, while the PanAmericana has 18” rims, black styling elements and a mechanically locking diff in its rear axle.
While the Amarok is signifi cantly similar to the Ranger in so many ways, Volkswagen is confi dent that the vehicle will have its own character and personality – very important if buyers are to be convinced of its top-end credentials. Last time, the old Amarok did a fi ne job of seeing off the challenge from the Mercedes-Benz X-Class, to the extent that its Nissan-based rival died an early death. It won’t have escaped VW’s notice that basing a premium pick-up on an everyday model failed spectacularly then, and the company will be determined not to fall into the same trap that caught out its fellow German giant.
Prices for the Amarok are likely to be announced in the autumn, with a probable in-the-metal debut at the Paris Motor Show in October. Its premium nature means it can be expected to push the double-cab market to new heights; expect exVAT prices to start above £30,000 and approach £50,000 for the Aventura and PanAmericana.
