New truck shares a platform with Ford’s Ranger.
Volkswagen has finally revealed its Amarok pick-up after several weeks of teasers.
The new truck, which shares its underpinnings with the latest Ford Ranger, arrives with a bold new exterior design and a far more technology-focused interior than its predecessor. It’s also longer than before, measuring in at 5,350mm.
Expected to go on sale at the end of the year, the new Amarok has a host of engine options as well as a range-topping 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel with 247bhp. This is joined by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine available with either 148bhp and 168bhp, though twin-turbocharged versions will also be included, bringing either 201 or 206bhp.
A 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 298bhp will also be part of the Amarok’s powertrain options when it arrives later this year. A six-speed manual gearbox option will be available alongside six- and 10-speed automatics.
As before, the Amarok uses Volkswagen 4Motion four-wheel-drive system to provide added traction over difficult terrain,
Inside, the Amarok utilises Volkswagen’s Virtual Cockpit digital dials, as well as a large central touchscreen that is much the same as the one in the Ranger. The steering wheel, meanwhile, will be familiar to those who have been in some of Volkswagen’s latest passenger vehicles.
The new Amarok has been rated to accept a payload of 1.16 tonnes, as well as a 3.5-tonne towing capacity. Alongside a conventional five-seat double-cab layout, the Amarok will also be offered as a single cab model with a longer load bed.
Volkswagen has significantly boosted the level of assistance technology on board the Amarok too, with 20 new systems included on the new truck. These include road sign recognition and front monitoring with pedestrian detection.
