

Marton Pettendy
7.8
1 Month Ago
There's a new generation around the corner but Volkswagen's venerable Amarok receives two new variants for its swan-song year.
After over a decade on the market, the Volkswagen Amarok is being replaced soon.
The new ute, developed alongside the redesigned Ford Ranger, is due here in the first quarter of 2023, around six months after the new Ranger lobs.
Meanwhile the current Amarok has entered 2022 unchanged but for the introduction of the rugged W580X, due here in the second quarter of 2022, and a Black Edition with the TDI580 engine.
There will be 400 examples of the latter, which Volkswagen says are en route to dealers.
Over the TDI550 Sportline, the TDI580 Black Edition (pictured above) adds the more powerful engine tune plus illuminated side steps, bi-xenon headlights, paddle shifters, a black sports bar, and 18-inch ‘Rawson’ alloy wheels with a black finish.
While the Amarok is one of the oldest utes in the segment, it’s unique – at least until the new Ranger comes – in offering the option of a turbo-diesel V6.
Volkswagen has capitalised on this by introducing V6-powered Amaroks tuned by Australian firm Walkinshaw, the W580X being the latest.
It has a more overt off-road focus than the “grand touring” W580S, and costs $4100 less. You can, however, select a $4690 Luxury Package to equip it similarly to the W580S.
The W580X rides on 18-inch forged alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion AT Plus tyres, while there are rock sliders and under-body bash plates and a breather kit fitted to the differentials.
The twin-tube dampers also feature a different tune to the W580S, aimed at superior comfort off-road.
While the W580X is joining the line-up, the total number of Walkinshaw-tuned Amaroks will remain at two as Volkswagen phases out the standard W580.
Unlike rivals such as the Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max, the Amarok is available exclusively as a 4×4 dual-cab ute. Cab-chassis, single-cab and 4×2 variants were once offered but have been discontinued during the Amarok’s run.
All prices exclude on-road costs.
The 2022 Volkswagen Amarok has a choice of turbo-diesel four- and six-cylinder engines, available in a range of tunes.
The TDI400 and TDI420 are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel, producing 132kW of power and 400Nm of torque in the former, and 420Nm of torque in the latter.
The TDI400 is exclusively offered with a six-speed manual transmission, while the TDI420 is paired with an eight-speed automatic.
Volkswagen also offers a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 across the TDI500, TDI550, and TDI580 lines.
In the TDI500, it makes 165kW and 500Nm and is mated with a six-speed manual transmission, while the TDI550 has the same 165kW but bumps peak torque to 550Nm in conjunction with its eight-speed automatic.
On overboost, the TDI500 and TDI550 develop up to 180kW for short bursts (up to 10 seconds) in third and fourth gear.
The range-topping TDI580 (and W580) models offer 190kW and 580Nm, and once again feature an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.
Like the lower-spec models, the TDI580 has an overboost function, offering up to 200kW for short periods.
Volkswagen hasn’t published 0-100km/h times for the entire powertrain range, but TDI550 models have a claimed 7.9-second sprint and TDI580 models take 7.3 seconds.
The TDI400 has an 8.4L/100km claim on the ADR combined cycle, while the TDI420 uses a claimed 8.9L/100km.
Meanwhile, the TDI500 has a claimed fuel economy figure of 9.7L/100km, dropping to 9.1L/100km in the TDI550 and 9.5L/100km in the TDI580.
It’s worth noting Volkswagen recently changed the Amarok’s V6 engines to a EU5-certified motor which is less efficient and emits more CO2 and NOx – but there’s no complex AdBlue injection system.
The 2022 Volkswagen Amarok measures 5254mm long, 1954mm wide and 1878mm tall, with a 3095mm wheelbase.
Payload varies from model to model.
Braked towing capacity is 3000kg in the TDI500 Core and all four-cylinder models and 3500kg across the rest of the V6 range. Towball load limit is 300kg and braked towing capacity is 750kg across the range.
To see how the Amarok stacks up against rivals in tub size, check out our article on Dual-cab ute tub dimensions compared.
When the Amarok was tested by ANCAP over a decade ago in 2011, it received a rating of five stars.
That rating was based on a frontal offset score of 13.99 out of 16 and a side impact score of 16 out of 16. Whiplash and pedestrian protection were rated Good and Marginal, respectively.
All 2022 Volkswagen Amarok models come standard with front and front-side airbags, but there are no airbags for rear seat occupants.
There’s also no active safety technology like autonomous emergency braking, which means the Amarok wouldn’t receive five stars if it was assessed again in 2022.
The Amarok ute is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty like the wider Volkswagen range.
Maintenance in the Amarok is required every 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first.
Volkswagen Australia offers five-year Care Plans which cover scheduled servicing for said period, and are significantly cheaper than paying as you go.
Until June 30, 2022, the service package costs $1600 for the four-cylinder Amarok, while V6 models are slightly dearer at $1700. These plans usually cost $2200 and $2300.
Core TDI400 and TDI420 models get:
The V6 TDI500 Core adds:
The V6 TDI550 Sportline gets:
Only Core and Sportline models have a cargo area light.
The Black Edition adds:
The V6 TDI580 Highline drops the paddle shifters but gains:
The V6 TDI580 Aventura adds:
Over the TDI550 Sportline, the V6 W580X includes:
A $4690 Luxury package brings Vienna leather trim, 14-way heated and powered front seats and factory navigation, while a snorkel is $1390.
The V6 W580S includes:
Take advantage of Australia's BIGGEST new car website to find a great deal on a Volkswagen Amarok.
Marton Pettendy
7.8
1 Month Ago
Max Davies
8.4
1 Month Ago
Josh Nevett
26 Days Ago
CarExpert.com.au
24 Days Ago
Max Davies
14 Days Ago
Damion Smy
10 Days Ago