Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has unveiled the new Amarok, an on- and off-road all-rounder. Designed and conceived in Germany and Australia, the new vehicle is being produced in South Africa.
A premium pick-up for Australia and New Zealand, as well as numerous countries of Africa, the Middle East and Europe, the Amarok features 20 new driver assist systems, mobile online services, efficient and high-torque engines, two all-wheel drive technologies, and tailor-made accessories.
The new Amarok is being launched with a four-door double cab (DoubleCab) and two-door single cab (SingleCab).
At 5350mm, the new Amarok is 96mm longer than its predecessor. A wheelbase of 3270mm represents an increase of 173mm. That provides more room, especially on the double cab’s second row of seats. The off-road capabilities of the Amarok, which will have all-wheel drive as standard in many markets, are also enhanced by much greater fording depth for driving through watery terrain. Previously it was 500mm, now it’s 800mm.
The cargo box can cater for payloads of up to 1.16 tonnes and can also be secured using an electrically operated roll cover. The roll cover can be opened and closed from the cargo box itself, from inside the vehicle or by remote control via the vehicle key.
Four turbo diesel engines and one turbocharged petrol engine have been developed for the new Amarok. As the third level, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be offering a four-cylinder TDI engine with 2.0 litres of cubic capacity and bi-turbocharging; it develops 150 kW or 154 kW depending on the market. The engine used as the new top TDI is a 3.0-litre V6. It provides power output of 177 kW or 184 kW depending on the market. A 222 kW 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine has also been designed specifically for the traditional petrol engine markets.
With a power output of 154 kW, all Amarok versions will come onto the market as standard with a new 10-speed automatic gearbox served via a (by wire) e-shifter. For the 150-kW version this automatic transmission will be available as an option. The new 10-speed gearbox replaces the 8-speed automatic transmission of the predecessor model. In addition, there will be 6-speed automatic transmission and manual 6- or 5-speed gearboxes for various engines.
In many markets the Amarok is being supplied with all-wheel drive (4MOTION) as standard. Depending on region and engine there will be two different 4MOTION systems here: one with selectable all-wheel drive based on the given situation, and one with permanent all-wheel drive.
In redesigned interior features a digital instrument cluster between eight and 12 inches depending on model, and a highly modern touchscreen infotainment system of 10 to 12 inches in size.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles sold more than 830,000 units of the first-generation Amarok in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, North Asia and South and Central America.
