Comfort and power

When Volkswagen brought its Amarok light truck to Australia almost six years ago the launch was quickly followed by rave reviews.

Amarok was everything buyers in the class wanted: powerful, comfortable, capable, driveable and, most importantly, affordable.

There was one thing missing though – a beefy six-cylinder engine.

Volkswagen addressed that particular issue for Australian buyers this week, lifting the bonnet on a facelifted Amarok duo that is the vanguard for a fully revamped four-cylinder model range that will arrive here in the first quarter of next year.

Two model grades – Highline and Ultimate – one mechanical package, Volkswagen Group’s 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel, the same engine that has been doing sterling service in Audi’s Q5 and Q7 SUV.

For Amarok it is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and drives all four wheels through a Torsen system.

It has a tough, workmanlike appearance courtesy of the bold grille restyle and the flared wheel arches enhance its masculinity, as do its slab sides and generally upright styling.

The first Amarok had the comfort levels of a car both internally and dynamically and the V6 variants are no different.

Cabin comfort is impressive, not just for the way the supportive seats give you a big cuddle in the twists and turns but also for the way the dash and instrumentation has been laid out.

Also impressive is the lack of transmitted road and engine noise and Amarok V6 can lay claim to having one of the quietest cabins in the business to the point where, at speeds in excess of 120kmh conversations can be had without the need for raised voices.