The Volkswagen Amarok is a newcomer in the pickup market segment, aimed to compete with Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, and Holden Colorado. It is a midsize ute manufactured since 2010 to the present by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV), a division and marque owned by the Volkswagen Group.
The VW Amarok was released in Australia in 2011 in various combinations of the engine, drive type, and body style. Buyers could choose between two 2.0L power sources, either rear- or four-wheel drive, and either a single- or double-cab version. In the initial launch, though, only the four-door double-cab configuration was offered. The two-door single-cab style arrived in the following year.
The Amarok name is an Inuit word, which means “wolf”. Volkswagen has repeatedly alluded to wolves in its previous projects, e.g. badging of Wolfsburg crest in previous cars and using the Lupo (which means “wolf” in Italian) name in one of the VW models.
2005 -2010
The concept car
The concept of the Amarok was first disclosed by VWCV in 2005, revealing their plans to build a robust pickup and off-roader. Decades before that announcement, Volkswagen had been producing the VW Taro (a 1-tonne light commercial pickup/rebadged Toyota Hilux) and the VW Caddy (an M-segment leisure activity van/MPV). However, none of these models was a truly robust off-roader or a firm VW representative in the pickup range. Thus, the Robust Pickup plan was conceived.
Debut
The Amarok—VW’s robust pickup—debuted in 2010 in Argentina. After which, it was strategically placed in the public eye during the 2010 Dakar Rally when 45 Amaroks were used as crucial support vehicles.
Safety
The Euro NCAP gave the Amarok a 4-star rating based on the standard crash testing procedures conducted in 2010-2011.
In 2011, the Australian NCAP rated it five stars.
2011-2016
VW’s robust pickup started selling in 2011. When it first became available to Australia, it was driven by either of the two powertrains below:
- TDI340 (4x2 only) – 2.0L TDI CR DPF 16V I4 diesel engine, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission (90 kW, 340 N⋅m)
- TDI400 (4x2; 4x4) – 2.0L BitDI CR DPF 16V I4 diesel engine, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission (120 kW, 400 N⋅m)
The Amarok was launched in the double-cab four-door five-seat variant and laid out in 4x2 and 4x4 drives. There were various combinations of drive type, body style, and powertrain available, depending on the model grade chosen.
- Base/entry-level, TDI340 powertrain – available in 4x2 double-cab body only; equipped with 16-inch steel wheels, airbag package (dual front/head/side front), automatic air conditioning/climate control, height-adjustable front seats, cloth trim, cargo platform lighting, and manually-operated windows, door lock, and wing mirrors.
- Base/entry-level, TDI400 powertrain – available in 4x2 and 4x4 double-cab body; same equipment and trims as the other entry-level
- Trendline grade, TDI400 powertrain – available in 4x4 double-cab body style; equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, electrically-operated door lock, windows, and wing mirror, base features plus multi-function display, 4-speaker radio/CD, cruise control, fog lights, and a trip computer
- Highline grade, TDI400 powertrain – available in 4x4 double-cab body style; equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, Trendline features plus auto climate control with dual temp zones, 6-speaker radio CD, leather steering wheel, chrome trims on mirror housing, grille, around the fog lights, and rear bumper
- Ultimate grade, TDI400 powertrain – available in Shiftable 4Motion and Permanent 4Motion drive systems, double-cab body style only; equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, leather steering wheel and upholstery, remote anti-theft system, rear parking distance control, and side steps in addition to the features offered in the Highline grade
In 2012, the single-cab variant was offered, along with additional engine options, to wit:
- TDI420 (4x4 only) - 2.0 BiTDI CR DPF 16V I4 diesel engine, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission (132 kW, 420 N⋅m)
- TSI300 (4x2 only) – 2.0 TSI 16V I4 petrol engine, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission (118 kW, 300 N⋅m)
For 2013, the 90-kW TDI340 engine was upgraded to kick more power at a maximum output of 103 kW, while the 120-kW TDI400 was increased to 132 kW. New editions touched down in Australia, including a TSI300 Runner SE, which features an aluminium tray, and the outdoorsy TDI420 Canyon, which is packed with 17-inch alloys, alloy sports bar, chrome grille, heated front seats, leather gear knob and hand brake, rear privacy glass, mobile phone connectivity, reversing camera, and satellite navigation, to name a few of its trims and equipment.
Two more grades were added in 2015—the Core Edition and Dark Label—for the TDI400 and TDI420 powertrains. The Core Edition is the upmarket version of the basic TDI400 and TDI420 and comes with updated interior and exterior trims, including but not limited to body-coloured bumper, low-fuel warning, leather trims, memory card reader, and trailer stability control. On the other hand, there’s the limited edition Dark Label, which comes with an upped 2.0L BiTDI diesel engine—from 132 kW to 133 kW max power output and from 3,000 kg to 3,200 kg max towing capacity.
2016-present
In 2016, it was an all-diesel Amarok once again, after the 2.0L TSI petrol version was discontinued in Australia. This also came with the introduction of a new engine—the much-awaited monster diesel 3.0L TDI V6. Its specs are:
· 3.0L TDI CR Bluemotion SCR DPF diesel engine, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission (120-165 kW, 550 N⋅m)
Aside from the significantly stepped up power and torque, this new engine also boasts of higher fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
A more powerful version of this engine was introduced in 2018, which fires the range-topping V6 TDI580 grade offering for 2019. It produces 190-120 kW and 580 N⋅m maximum power and torque, respectively, which rivals Mercedez Benz’s X Class V6 TDI.
Awards
While the Volkswagen Amarok is considered a newbie in the ute segment, it has already made an impressive mark. The following awards recognise its top-quality build, excellent performance, and great value:
- Pickup of the Year 2011 - by Auto Esporte (Brazil)
- Pickup of the Year 2011 - by Parabrisas (Argentina)
- International Pickup Truck of the Year - by MotorTransport (UK)
- Pickup of the Year 2011 - by Off-Road (Germany)
- Goldenen Keiler Best Hunting Car - by Magazin Jäger (Germany)
- Pickup of the Year 2012 - by What Van? (UK)
- Ute of the Year 2011 – by 4x4 Australia (Australia)
- Ute of the Year 2011 – by Delivery (Australia)
- Manliest Motor of the Year 2011 – by Zoo Magazine (UK)
- Best Pickup of the Year 2011 – by the British Insurance Vehicle Security Awards (UK)
- 2017 Dual-Cab Ute Comparison Winner – by Motoring.com.au (Australia)
- Top Pickup of 2017 – by Stuff Motoring New Zealand (New Zealand)
- 1,900 kg+ Best Pick-up Winner 2018 – by TheTowCarAwards.com