Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recently presented the long-awaited Amarok. The on- and off-road all-rounder has been designed and conceived in Germany and Australia but it is being produced right here in South Africa, here is the definitive specification for the bakkie.
Overall the new Amarok has a well-thought-out set of features, including over 20 new driver assist systems, mobile online services, engines that are both efficient and high-torque, two all-wheel drive technologies, tailor-made accessories and clear Volkswagen design DNA, making the vehicle one of the most versatile and well-balanced bakkies in the world.
The base spec Amarok has a power output of 110 kW and 350 N.m of torque, paired to a 5-speed gearbox that sends power to the rear wheels. The TDI engines delivering 125 kW and 151 kW will arrive in Europe and numerous other countries with selectable all-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard with an automatic gearbox offered as an option. Maximum torque for the Amarok is capped at 405 N.m.
The 2.0-litre TDI delivering 151 kW can as an option be configured with a new 10-speed automatic transmission. The 155 kW TDI has a maximum torque of 500 N.m, the V6 TDI and the turbo petrol engines always come as standard with the 10-speed automatic transmission.
Based on the new Ford Ranger, Volkswagen has implemented its signature design language onto the facades of the bakkie making it easily recognisable as in comparison to its Blue Oval counterpart. It has grown and become more powerful, more athletic and even more charismatic. “For the new generation, we have significantly modified the Amarok’s archetypal design. It is now unambiguously more expressive and even more impressive”, says Albert Kirzinger, Head of Design at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
At 5 350 mm, the new Amarok is 96 mm longer than its predecessor. A wheelbase of 3 270 mm represents an increase of 173 mm, this provides more room in the double cab. The wheelbase has become disproportionately longer – reducing the body overhangs. That results in crisper proportions and improved off-road capability.
Making a statement is the new front section of the pick-up, which is launching in the specification variants ‘Amarok’, ‘Life’ and ‘Style’, as well as the top versions ‘Panamericana’ (off-road styling) and ‘Aventura’ (exclusive styling).
With its practical controls and digital screens, the interior has been configured by the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles design team in a very functional and high-quality way. The look and feel of the materials resemble those of premium SUVs like the Volkswagen Touareg. The instrument panel’s layout is clear, well-structured, and ergonomically tailored to the driver.
The cabin has a leather-look instrument with elegant contrast stitching, and the vehicle’s premium positioning is also matched by the new seating. the Volkswagen Amarok’s driver and front-seat passenger sit on ergonomically designed seats, which in the higher specifications can be electrically adjusted into multiple positions.
The base version consists of an 8,0-inch Digital Cockpit display, on the Style and above versions there is a fully digital 12,3-inch display. There’s also a portrait format 10,1-inch touchscreen for the infotainment that comes as standard paired with a Harman Kardon sound system.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles sold over 830 000 units of the first-generation Amarok in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, North Asia and South and Central America. Now comes the second generation, ready to continue the VW legacy.
Original story – 2023 Volkswagen Amarok specification confirmed
