Presentation and market launch: First deliveries by the end of 2022
Design and dimensions: redesigned front with raised bonnet
Digs better than ever: The new Amarok can be ordered with permanent four-wheel drive, reduction and rear axle lock.
Basically, the design of the Amarok has changed significantly. The new model is now more expressive and confident, a redesigned front with raised bonnet and the horizontally aligned cross bars on the radiator grille underline the VW affiliation.
The basic version is simply called Amarok, followed by “Life” and “Style”, the top marks “PanAmericana” (off-road-oriented) and “Aventura” (design variant with styling bar). LED headlights are standard on board, in the higher equipment even matrix LED headlights “IQ.LIGHT“.
Bucking the trend, the Amarok is getting narrower
In contrast to the first Amarok, whose platform dimensions corresponded to the pallets customary in South America, those of the new one are based on Euro pallets. Bucking the trend, the VW is getting narrower, the width shrinks by 34 mm to 1.91 meters – which is hard to believe given the massive appearance.
Shorter overhangs than before, the leaf-sprung rigid axle remains in favor of the payload.
In terms of length, it has increased by almost ten centimeters to 5.35 meters and in height by around five centimeters to up to 1.89 meters. The wheelbase has grown by 173 mm, primarily to benefit the rear legroom.
Dimensions at a glance:
• Length: 5350mm
• Width: 1910mm
• Height: up to 1888 mm (depending on the wheel and tire combination)
• Wheelbase: 3270mm
• Wading depth: 800 mm
Interior and Equipment: Leather instrument panel at extra cost
The interior of the Amarok clearly presents itself as a VW. Behind the steering wheel there is an 8-inch digital cockpit, with the “Style” equipment and upwards there are even ten installed. The center console continues with a 10-inch display, which is also larger from “Style” onwards (12 inches). Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are always on board.
For a surcharge, it offers ten-way adjustable electric seats, inductive charging, mobile online services, keyless go, Harman Kardon hi-fi, even a leather-covered instrument panel is on the surcharge list. Striking: the helicopter-style overhead console switches.
In Germany it can only be ordered as a double cabin
The only visible Ford takeover is the off-road technology operation via rotary switch for the driving programs, on top fixed buttons for four-wheel shutdown and reduction. If the semi-permanent all-wheel drive is installed via a multi-plate clutch, the latter can be locked regardless of whether the reduction is engaged.
A rear axle lock can also be ordered for the new Amarok at an additional cost. The version with permanent four-wheel drive can also be ordered with a reduction gear – this combination did not exist with the Amarok I.
Various driving modes can be set using a rotary control. The all-wheel drive should always provide optimal traction.
Only the Doka (double cab) comes to us, the heavy-duty version also flew out of the list; there is only one setup with a payload of 1.2 tons. Convincing in the seat test: the rear backrest is not as steep as in other pick-ups.
Engines and drive: Four and six cylinders in the Amarok
VW also uses the Ford shelf under the hood. The new VW Amarok comes with a choice of four-cylinder or V6 turbo diesel (170 hp and 405 Nm to 241 hp and 600 Nm). There is a choice of gearboxes from five-speed manual to the typical Ford ten-speed automatic converter and wheels from 18 to 21 inches.
The beefy front comes with a raised hood and always with LED headlights, in the highest configurations Matrix LED technology.
There is also a four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that has a displacement of 2.3 liters and up to 302 hp and 452 Nm of maximum torque. The turbo petrol engine is always offered in conjunction with the ten-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Up to 3.5 tons trailer load
In Germany, all engines are offered with all-wheel drive. In other markets there will also be rear-wheel drive, which can also switch to all-wheel drive if required. With permanent four-wheel drive, the driver can then choose between different driving modes, which should ensure optimal traction on any surface.
With 3.5 tons, the pick-up can pull more than before. Lashing eyes on the loading area should be able to hold loads of up to 500 kg. The static roof load increases from 225 to 350 kg. Impressive! And whether the new Amarok keeps what it promises will be seen later in the test.
