Volkswagen Commercial continues to drip-feed information on its new, second-generation Amarok ahead of the full premiere around the middle of 2022 and expected Australian arrival in early 2023.

    The latest image previews what the VW pickup will look like, although the versions shown in the renders have unrealistic wheels and tyres wider than the flares, and a W580-style body kit.

    VW has left a small amount of meat on the bones, revealing the new Amarok will be 100mm longer (5350mm), meaning greater rear legroom than the pokey outgoing model, as well as wider in the body.

    Now based on the same Australian-engineered T6 platform as the new Ford Ranger – which we’ve detailed extensively here – the new ‘Rok will again use a V6 TDI engine, now expected to be the same Ford unit (ex F-150) as said Ranger, with full-time 4WD.

    Developed by teams in Australia and Europe, the latest version of the so-called (by VW) “premium pick-up” will be produced in Silverton in South Africa in future. The Ranger will continue to be sourced from Thailand, by contrast.

    Australia is among a handful of key markets for the Amarok, which will only become more apparent given the new model’s Aussie DNA.

    Volkswagen Commercial is also promising new-to-segment driver-assist features, superior off-road abilities, a more comfortable and premium interior, and a significant body design re-skin.

    “We emphasise the different, expressive front designs of our pick-up with a charismatic Amarok signature that is also found with very large letters on the cargo box at the rear and is sported very proudly by the Amarok,” says head of design at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Albert-Johann Kirzinger.

    “Needless to say, a Euro pallet fits between the wheel housings again – and of course loads can be safely secured. The styling bar as a visual extension of the double cab in the cargo box once again gives the Amarok’s body dynamic, aerodynamic and very strong proportions.”

    Volkswagen has previously told CarExpert it has “for the past two years had a team from Germany based in Melbourne developing the generation-two Amarok” alongside the Ford Ranger global development hub based here.

    “What you see here is very much a Volkswagen,” said Ryan Davies, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Australia national sales manager.

    “The Amarok has genuine Volkswagen DNA,” he added. “This is the car our designers both in Melbourne and in Europe have been working on tirelessly over the last few years, to come up with a car that expresses what we know are the absolute attributes of Volkswagen.”

    MORE: 2023 Volkswagen Amarok teased again
    MORE: 2023 Volkswagen Amarok reveal set, Australian timing confirmed
    MORE: Volkswagen deeply embedded in Ranger development program since 2016

    Mike Costello
    Mike Costello is a Senior Contributor at CarExpert.
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