POWER PLAY AT A PRICE

IF you are a bit of a double-cab pick-up truck fetishist, this is an exciting time to be alive. Your choices in this sphere are overwhelming. Manufacturers of such offerings are fervent in their mission to cater to buyers who want a do-it-all bakkie. In addition to the expected workhorse credentials, a truly modern pick-up must offer passenger comfort to match a car’s, a polished interior ambience and technologies that complement our smartphone-reliant lifestyles. Apart from Chinese nonentities competing here, all contenders have striven to up the ante — and most have succeeded in elevating their stock. Before we get into the subject of our evaluation this week, let us list most of the products you could spend your money on. There are obvious choices such as the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu KB. You could have left-field players such as the Fiat Fullback, Mitsubishi Triton and Mazda BT-50. Nissan has pinned its comeback in the segment on the latest-generation Navara, whose tardiness may have been a disservice to its hopes to re-etch the nameplate on the psyches of shoppers. By now you know Mercedes-Benz will also be joining the fray. As will French carmaker Renault, with the interestingly named Alaskan. Of course, we cannot forget one of the foremost pioneers of the premium pick-up truck clique: the Volkswagen Amarok. Marketing people use the term “game-changer” far too liberally, but when the Amarok earned a spot as a finalist for 2010 South African Car of the Year it lent credence to the claim. For 2017, Volkswagen have rolled out cosmetic enhancements to the model and streamlined the range. We sampled the revised Amarok in the Free State last week. It was initially destined for launch in June, but striking while the iron is hot is always smart, especially given the competition at present. Volkswagen will no longer offer the single-cab variants of the Amarok, a move attributed to poor uptake. Trying to sway fleet owners from long-standing Japanese picks was a challenge. Aesthetically, you will spot minor tweaks to the frontal styling — a different bumper and headlamps. There are new alloy wheel choices too. The interior fascia was tidied up, with a design mirroring the more contemporary vehicles in the Volkswagen stable. It still feels vast and offers a seating position you could describe as empowering. Indeed, being at the helm of the Amarok imbues one with a sense of authority. This is a big vehicle. Those chunky side mirrors stick out like the ears of a small elephant. Being a Volkswagen product, its classy, functional interior execution is a given. But while the dashboard is textured with a grain that resembles leather, it is rather hard to the touch. Some squishy, soft elements would not have gone amiss. On the road, its status as an authentically plush pick-up was reinforced. The Amarok is well insulated against exterior noise. It still rides more soothingly than you could ever hope for in such a vehicle — on leaf springs, this seems like utter sorcery. Volkswagen took flak when the Amarok was launched for opting to go into battle with a set of diminutive two-litre, four-cylinder power sources. You will recall the amusing quips about Coca-Cola and juice bottles. The 2.0 TDI and 2.0 BiTDI derivatives are still part of the mix. But now the brand has a trump card that ought to silence those malevolent musings about small displacements. Yes, finally, you can have a threelitre, six-cylinder unit beneath the chunky hood of your Amarok. The 3.0 TDI, sourced from the Audi A6, is good for 165kW and 500Nm of torque. There is an overboost function which briefly takes things up to 180kW and 580Nm of torque. Volkswagen claims a sprint time of eight seconds flat and a top speed of 193km/h. These numbers lend themselves to the assertion that this could be an unofficial Amarok GTI! This performance can also be matched with styling extras, in a model grade that Volkswagen calls the Extreme. It throws in beefier trinkets in addition to an exclusive Ravenna Blue paint job. It sounds potent on paper and it delivers the goods on the open road. Whereas the 2.0 BiTDI might feel a tad out of puff trying to press on above 130km/h, the 3.0 TDI unit moves with impressive resolve towards the horizon with more rapidity than a pick-up has any right to. This engine is available only with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, although the 2.0 TDI and 2.0 BiTDI can still be had with a sixspeed manual in addition to the automatic transmission. Cowboys and cowgirls with a penchant for spirited dirt-road explorations will undoubtedly be salivating at the prospect of this mighty new engine choice. Overall, the Amarok’s enhancements strengthen the impression that it is the most credible embodiment of what a premium pick-up ought to be. But you will pay to play . . .