Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles presents the world premiere of the new Amarok. The on- and off-road all-rounder has been designed and conceived in Germany and Australia; it is being produced in South Africa. A premium pick-up for Australia and New Zealand, numerous countries of Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Charismatically designed, cleverly conceived. Its well thought-out set of features, 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 make the new Amarok one of the most versatile and well-balanced pick-ups in the world. Slogan: ‘No matter what’. The premium pick-up will come onto the market in the first few countries from the end of the year.
The new Amarok is being launched with a four-door double cab (DoubleCab) and two-door single cab (SingleCab). In silhouette the wheel arches, which are half-round as before, are especially striking on both versions. In contrast to many other pick-ups the upper termination of the wheel arches forms a practically straight rather than a circular line – a typical Amarok design feature. The wings above the up to 21-inch alloy wheels have a powerful look and around the wheel arches are clad with robust plastic. The shape of the panels creates a look of the Amarok slightly flexing its muscles. The new pick-up is striking from the back too. Beneath the large VW symbol the word ‘Amarok’ is embossed across almost the entire width of the tailgate.
The outer frame of the rear section is formed by the C-shaped tail lights, which reach far into the silhouette. On the PanAmericana and Aventura versions they too use LED technology.
Four turbo diesel (TDI) engines and one turbocharged petrol (TSI) engine have been developed for the new Amarok. Qualities common to all five engines are efficiency and high levels of torque. On the African market, for instance, it is the base specification engine that is being used: a four- cylinder, 2.0-litre TDI delivering 110 kW (150 PS). In terms of power output the next engine for many markets of the world is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI delivering 125 kW (170 PS). 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 (204 PS) or 154 kW (209 PS) dependent on the market. The engine used as the new top TDI is a 3.0- litre V6. It provides power output of 177 kW (241 PS) or 184 kW (250 PS) dependent on the market. A 222 kW (302 PS) 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine has also been designed specifically for the traditional petrol engine markets.
he Volkswagen’s design makes it immediately clear: this is an Amarok. And yet every millimetre of the pick-up has been rethought, redefined and redesigned. The dimensions alone already show that the all-rounder has been significantly further developed: at 5,350, the new Amarok is 96 mm longer than the predecessor model. A wheelbase of 3,270 mm also equates to an increase of 173 mm. That provides more space. As the new Amarok’s wheelbase has grown more than the pick-up’s total length, the body overhangs are now shorter. The new model is 1,910 mm wide, including wing mirrors it’s 2,204 mm. Compared to the predecessor generation the usable body width has increased. Dependent on wheel/tyre combination, the Amarok’s height is up to 1,888 mm.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has given the new Amarok an interior concept that is both systematically functional and high in quality. The features include digital 8.0-inch instruments (‘Digital Cockpit’, fully digital and 12.0-inch in size on the Style and above) and a highly modern infotainment system with a display in tablet format (10.0-inch screen as standard, 12-inch on the Style and above). Always included in the systems: Android Auto (Google) and CarPlay (Apple) for integrating smart phone apps into the infotainment system, mobile Volkswagen online services and two USB ports. Typical of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: the self-explanatory controls – from the standard specification Volkswagen multifunction steering wheel all the way to the Keyless Access lock and ignition system or the electric parking brake for the all-wheel drive versions (Life and above). Also fitted as standard in the Amarok PanAmericana and Aventura is a high- end sound system from Harman Kardon.
AutoBrief Snippets
- New generation of the Amarok launches end of the year
- Charismatic Amarok follows clear Volkswagen design DNA
- Premium interior with intuitive digital and analogue controls
- With LED headlights and ‘ACC’ Adaptive Cruise Control as standard
- Top PanAmericana and Aventura versions with leather trim and ‘IQ.LIGHT- LED matrix headlights’ as standard
- Over 20 new driver assist systems make driving even more effortless
- Increased length and longer wheelbase create more room in the cab
- Up to five turbocharged engines with power output levels from 110 to 222 kW
- Two new all-wheel drive systems with up to four modes
- Amarok being launched as four-door DoubleCab and as two- door SingleCab