The brand new, second-generation Volkswagen Amarok dual-cab ute will commence production in October and arrive in Australian showrooms by March 2023.
The company this week detailed the model ‘walk’, without disclosing final pricing, which will comprise five specification levels with three diesel engines options, and one petrol.
As has been written exhaustively, the new Amarok is entirely based on the latest Ford Ranger, which launched last month, but has been made to look different both outside and in.
Note: We have no local images, so are using press images from the global launch featuring high-spec versions.
MORE: 2023 Ford Ranger v Volkswagen Amarok design comparison
There are also a few little feature differences along the way, including Matrix LED headlights on more grades, a 12-inch instrument cluster, and the larger 12-inch portrait touchscreen on more variants.
The Amarok will also offer a 222kW turbo-petrol engine unlike the Ranger, and a manual gearbox in the base diesel workhorse model.
Because Ford’s global Ranger development and testing program is based in Australia, VW also embedded a factory team of about 20 people in Melbourne during the development.
Unlike the Thai-made Ranger, Australian-market Amaroks will be sourced from South Africa – unlike the old in-house VW version that came from Argentina. Volkswagen Australia says this promises shorter shipping times, by as much as four weeks, though the two countries are similarly close to us as the bird flies.
“Greater frequency from port ensures steadier supply,” the company claims.
“Since the Amarok was globally revealed four weeks ago Volkswagen dealers have been beset by inquiries and customers intent on placing deposits,” Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles director Ryan Davies claimed this week.
There will be five spec grades at launch: Amarok (base), Amarok Life, Amarok Style, Amarok Pan-Americana, and Amarok Aventura.
The Amarok launch range closely mirrors that of Ranger, which comprises XL, XLS, XLT, Sport and Wildtrak. Volkswagen won’t offer a Raptor equivalent of the Amarok.
However, a halo product tuned and modified in Australia by engineering partner Walkinshaw is confirmed to follow.
Drivetrains
The engines and transmissions are all supplied by Ford, including the V6 diesel that’ll account for the majority of sales, and all grades will be 4×4 dual cabs.
The one difference, as we reported following the global reveal, is that VW Australia has opted to offer Ford’s 222kW and 452Nm 2.3-litre ‘EcoBoost’ four-cylinder turbo-petrol – in essence, the engine used in Mustang and Focus ST.
The base Amarok will come with a 125kW and 405Nm 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel and part-time 4×4, using six-speed manual (unlike Ranger) or automatic transmissions.
The Amarok Life upgrades to the familiar Ranger 154kW and 500Nm bi-turbo diesel four with a 10-speed automatic (shift-by-wire) and part-time 4×4.
The mid-range Amarok Style will offer the bi-turbo at base level, but also introduces the 184kW and 600Nm 3.0-litre V6 with 10-speed auto (shift-by-wire) and full-time 4×4 plus low-range – something certain Amarok customers will be glad to see.
The Pan-Americana will come solely with the diesel V6, whereas the Aventura will offers buyers the choice of the V6 diesel or EcoBoost turbo-petrol.
Spec walk
Amarok (replaces Core)
- 125kW single-turbo diesel
- Part-time 4×4
- Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Electric folding mirrors
- LED headlights
- Tow bar with brake controller
- Locking tailgate
- Mud flaps
- Cargo box lighting and tie-downs
- Fabric seats
- Vinyl floors
- Single-zone AC
- 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10-inch portrait touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Digital radio
- Wireless charger
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Manual hand brake
- Tyre-pressure monitor
- Mechanical rear diff lock
- Front, side, two-row curtain airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Intelligent speed limiter
- Lane-keep assist
- Emergency call function
- Rear camera and sensors
Amarok Life (replaces Sportline)
- 154kW bi-turbo diesel
- Part-time 4×4
- 10-speed auto
- Body colour bumpers, mirrors, handles
- LED fog lights
- Side mirror heating and puddle lamps
- Locking wheel nuts
- Locking tailgate via key fob
- Different seat fabric
- Six speakers
- Privacy glass glazing
- Leather-wrapped shifter and wheel
- Carpet floor, with mats
- Auto-dimming rear mirror
- Electronic park brake
- Front tow hooks
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Dusk-sensing lights
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Front parking sensors
Amarok Style (replaces Highline)
- 184kW V6 diesel with 10-speed auto, full-time 4×4 OR
- 154kW 4-cyl diesel with 10-speed auto, part-time 4×4
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Chrome rear bumper, step
- Matrix LED headlights
- Bed liner
- Stainless steel sports bar
- Insulating windscreen
- Proximity key access
- ArtVelour seat cover
- Leather seats as an options pack
- Powered driver’s seat
- Heated seats
- 12-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen
- Dual-zone climate control
- Ambient cabin lighting
- Thatcham alarm system
- 360-degree camera
- Park assist
Amarok Pan-Americana (off-road version)
- 184kW V6 diesel
- 10-speed auto
- Full-time 4×4
- 18-inch alloys
- All-terrain tyres
- Black bumpers, mirrors, handles
- LED tail lights
- Black sports bar and steps
- Soft tonneau cover
- Roof tails
- Spray-in bedliner
- Leather seats (Cricket)
- Leather-covered dash and door inserts
- Eight speakers
- Black headliner
- Powered heated front seats x 2
Amarok Aventura (on-road flagship)
- 184kW V6 diesel with 10-speed auto, full-time 4×4 OR
- 222kW 4-cyl petrol with 10-speed auto, full-time 4×4
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Chrome rear bumper, step
- Matrix LED headlights
- Bed liner
- Stainless steel sports bar
- Insulating windscreen
- Proximity key access
- 21-inch alloy wheels
- Chrome bumpers, mirrors, handles
- Chrome steps
- Rear sailplane
- Electric roller cover
- Bed liner
- Leather seats (Savona)
- Leather-covered dash
MORE: 2023 Ford Ranger review and specs
Colours
- Frozen White
- Agate Black metallic
- Blue Lightning metallic
- Carbonized Grey metallic
- Lucid Red metallic
- Moondust Silver metallic
- Diffused Silver metallic
- Moroccan Blue metallic (unique to VW)
A few highlights
At 5350mm long, the new Amarok is 96mm longer than the old model, as well as 173mm longer between the wheels to add rear legroom. The bed still has room for a standard pallet.
Its wading depth is up from 500mm to 800mm, and it also has better approach and departure angles due to shorter overhangs.
There are six driving modes – Normal, Eco, Slippery, Snow/Sand, Mud/Rut, Tow/Haul. Driver assist and safety equipment is massively enhanced over the old model that offered… pretty much none.
MORE: 2023 Volkswagen Amarok revealed, everything you need to know
MORE: One big reason to buy the VW Amarok over its Ford Ranger twin
