Revamped Volkswagen Amarok rated

Pick-ups are practical but have a reputation for being rough and ready with crude driving dynamics. Volkswagen’s Amarok set out to change that.

Oriental models have for too long held sway in the UK pick-up truck market, a state of affairs that Volkswagen set out to change when they launched this Amarok model in 2011.

Big, economical and very capable, Volkswagen’s off-road load-lugger was designed to give the Japanese contingent a few sleepless nights but originally boasted a 2.0-litre diesel line-up in a class where rivals had 2.5 or 3.0-litre units. Hence the development of an allnew six cylinder 3.0-litre TDI unit for this latest version claiming an effective mixture of power and efficiency.

The result should be a very complete pick-up indeed.

Pick-up sales may have taken off in Europe over the last decade or so, but the vehicles themselves have come almost exclusively from the Far East, Japan dominating the market with Mitsubishi’s L200, Nissan’s Navara and Toyota’s Hilux, leaving Ford a few scraps to hoover up with their Thai-built Ranger model.

So what kind of pick-up might a European brand design?

In this Volkswagen Amarok back in 2011, we got our answer in a vehicle that’s sold steadily since but has been ultimately limited in its aspirations by the fitment of a 2.0-litre diesel engine that’s smaller in size than the class norm.

That’s important as pick-ups need torque – and plenty of it. Hence Volkswagen’s development of the new 3.0-litre V6 TDI unit for the improved Amarok model we’re going to look at here. Like its predecessor, this is claimed to be the most car-like vehicle of this kind ever made. Potentially then, the perfect solution for SUV buyers who want the greater practicality of pick-up motoring. A tough ladder-framed chassis and a solid, leaf-sprung rear axle necessary to carry heavy loads offer the inevitably utilitarian feel.

Within the confines of this approach though, the Wolfsburg engineers have actually done a very good job in making this Amarok as car-like as it reasonably could be. The introduction of 3.0-litre V6 TDI power means there’s nothing wrong with the performance now on offer, this unit available in three guises offering either 163, 204 or 224PS.

The pokiest unit develops 550Nm of torque at just 1,500rpm, that’s 130Nm more than the previous model could manage.

UK customers can choose from selectable (with manual gearbox) and permanent (with auto) 4MOTION four-wheel drive.

An optional mechanical rear-axle differential lock is also available for demanding off-road use. On the road, this improved Amarok should feel sharper to drive courtesy of a new Servotronic steering system.

Plus new 17-inch brake discs on the front axle and 16-inch discs at the rear ensure that this pickup always comes to a stop quickly and safely.

As before, with a length of 5.25 metres and a width of 2.23 metres, this Amarok is a substantial thing. To reflect the changes made beneath the bonnet, Volkswagen’s stylists have tried to give this improved version a more athleticlooking front end. As before, the chunky shape appears solidly planted to the ground with cleanly sculpted bonnet curves and a large Volkswagen emblem and grille, with clear horizontal lines linking them together across the front of the vehicle.

Inside, there’s a completely re-styled dashboard. Together with new ergonomic seats, these features aim to lend the vehicle a more sophisticated appearance. As before, there’s neat switchgear, clearly defined instruments, a lovely three-spoke reach and rake-adjustable steering wheel and soft-touch plastics lifted straight from Volkswagen passenger cars.

Pick-up users aren’t necessarily expecting their vehicles to be advanced, car-like and fuel efficient. But most would be very pleased if they were. These are people who should get themselves behind the wheel of this improved 3.0-litre V6 TDI Amarok. You do have nagging worries in the plush, car-like cabin as to whether this vehicle really is going to prove as tough and durable as its Asian rivals in the long term. But these are concerns your Volkswagen Van Centre will be quick to play down, pointing to this vehicle’s development in the Patagonian wilderness and its use on the testing Paris-Dakar rally.

This aside, the only issues are those common to all pick-ups, essentially based around a utilitarian on-tarmac feel. And this is less of an issue with an Amarok than with any other rival model. Limited UK numbers mean this Volkswagen isn’t going to threaten its Oriental rivals’ market dominance too much, but in terms of excellence, it should give them plenty to think about.

The Wolfsburg engineers have actually done a very good job in making this Amarok as car-like as it reasonably could be

The pick-up boasts improved styling and torque.