Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has revealed details of its second-generation Amarok pick-up truck that will arrive in the UK from February 2023.
The new truck is a product of VWCV’s collaboration with Ford and will be based on the blue oval brand’s Ranger and built at the same plant in Silverton, South Africa.
Unlike the original Amarok, which was solely a VWCV product, the new model will be available as a single-cab as well as a double-cab truck.
It will be offered in five specification grades: Amarok, Life, Style and two flagship versions – PanAmericana, featuring off-road styling, and Aventura, with more sporty styling, according to VWCV.
VWCV will produce the new Amarok with four turbocharged diesel engines and one turbocharged petrol engine, although it is likely the truck will be marketed in the UK with just the diesel units. Three 2.0-litre TDI engines will have power outputs of 150, 170 and 204 or 209hp, depending on the market, while a 3.0-litre V6 will produce 241 or 250hp.
VWCV says it is launching the Amarok with a ten-year planning cycle on a platform that carries the flexibility to produce electric variants in the future. The sale of petrol and diesel-powered vehicles will be prohibited from 2030, although hybrids will be available until 2035 under current government legislation.
Top of the range Amaroks will get the ten-speed automatic transmission Ford offers with the Ranger to replace the previous truck’s eight-speed auto, while a six-speed automatic and five and six-speed manual gearboxes will also be available.
Depending on engine and region two all-wheel drive (AWD) 4Motion systems will be offered, one with selectable AWD and the other with permanent AWD. The new Amarok will also come with six driving modes to suit different terrains.
Maximum payload has increased from 1.0 to 1.16-tonnes and the new truck can tow up to 3.5-tonnes. It has a static roof-load capacity of 350kg, which the manufacturer says is sufficient to hold the four-person roof tent that it is offering as an accessory.
At 5,350mm, the new Amarok is 96 mm longer than its predecessor while a wheelbase of 3,270mm represents an increase of 173mm. VWCV says this results in more leg room for the double cab’s second row of seats. With the greater increase in wheelbase length compared to total length the body overhangs have shortened, resulting in improved off-road capability thanks to better approach angles, according to the brand. Wading depth has increased by 300mm to 800 mm.
Depending on specification the new Amarok’s cabin features 8in to 12in digital instrument panels and 10in to 12in infotainment touchscreens as well as up to 20 storage compartments.