The new VW Amarok. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has now unveiled the long-awaited new edition of the Amarok in a world premiere. The new Amarok reaches the market in the first countries from the end of the year.
Around 830,000 first-generation Amaroks were sold and can be seen on roads and tracks in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Asia and South and Central America. Now the second generation follows, and Volkswagen promises: „Everything is new“.
Two body variants to choose from
The new Amarok will be available as a 4-door (double cab) and, in individual markets, as a 2-door (single cab). The vehicle is another 96 mm longer than its predecessor, and the wheelbase also grew by 173 mm to 3,270 mm. For comparison: a 110 Defender has a wheelbase of 2,794 mm. With a bigger gain in wheelbase than in overall length, the body overhangs could be shortened and the ramp angles, and thus off-road ability in this respect, improved. At 800 mm, the wading depth has grown considerably compared with the predecessor.
As we know from the predecessor, a Euro pallet loaded crosswise can be stowed on the load bed of the new Amarok too. The single-cab version even has room for two pallets loaded crosswise. The maximum payload has risen to 1.16 tonnes. That should be of interest above all to tradespeople and camper-cabin owners. Depending on the engine, up to 3.5 tonnes may be towed.
For all its off-road ability and high load capacity, comfort and safety are not neglected
The new Amarok comes to market in five different trim levels. „Amarok“, followed by „Life“ and „Style“. To these are added the two top versions „PanAmericana“ and „Aventura“. With the former, Volkswagen emphasises the off-road character; the „Aventura“ trim is a high-end level with an on-road character.
The interior is kept modern and fitted, in keeping with the times, with a digital cockpit and a tablet-format infotainment display. A sound system is available as an option. All of this underlines the premium aspiration of the new Amarok.
Volkswagen has announced more than 20 new assistance systems in the new Amarok. Among them, for example, the automatic distance control „ACC+“, which uses a camera to include traffic signs in the automatic speed control, and the „IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlights“.
Up to six different driving profiles (drive modes) support the driver in the most varied driving situations. This is aimed, for example, at driving off-road and on different surfaces.
Five turbo engines with outputs from 110 to 222 kW are planned in total
The new Amarok will come with a choice of one of the four new turbodiesel engines (TDI) or a turbo petrol (TSI). The base engine, a TDI with 2.0 litres displacement and 110 kW (150 hp), is intended for the African market, for example. Then there will be another four-cylinder TDI with 2.0 litres displacement and 125 kW (170 hp). The third power level among the four-cylinders is a TDI, also with 2.0 litres displacement and – depending on the market – 150 kW (204 hp) or 154 kW (209 hp). This engine has bi-turbo charging. The new top engine among the diesels is a 3.0-litre V6. The output of this variant is, depending on the market, 177 kW (241 hp) or 184 kW (250 hp). The engine musters 600 Nm of torque. Added to this is a 222 kW (302 hp) 2.3-litre turbo petrol. Not all of these engines will be available in Germany.
New automatic and two 4MOTION systems
From an output of 154 kW, all versions of the new Amarok come as standard with a new 10-speed automatic gearbox operated by e-shifter (by wire), which replaces the predecessor’s 8-speed automatic. For the 150 kW version this automatic will be offered as an option. The 125 and 150 kW TDIs transmit the power as standard with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
In numerous markets the Amarok will be available with all-wheel drive as standard. Depending on the region and engine, there will be two different 4MOTION systems: a selectable all-wheel drive that engages as the situation requires, and a permanent all-wheel drive. The 3.0 V6 turbodiesel and the turbo petrol come with permanent all-wheel drive.
Extensive accessory range for the new Amarok
Volkswagen has announced an extensive accessory range for the new Amarok. Of particular interest to off-road travellers should be the high static roof load of 350 kilograms. To match, there is to be a four-person roof tent as an accessory.
Beyond that, useful things such as various tow hitches, a bike carrier, a rack system, a hardtop, skid plates, a raised air intake, tow eyes and much more are on the accessory list.
The concept and design of the new Amarok were developed in Germany and Australia. Production takes place in South Africa. You’ll find more information on the new Amarok on the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles website. We’re keen to see the first new Amaroks in the flesh and will report further.
© Photos: Volkswagen AG