2023 VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED IN AUSTRALIA
DEVELOPED WITH THE OZ MARKET IN MIND, THE NEW AMAROK IS AIMING TO TAKE ON THE BIGGEST PLAYERS IN THE DUAL-CAB SEGMENT.
RECENTLY revealed globally, the second-generation Amarok is now based on the same T6 platform which underpins the upcoming Ford Ranger; although, Volkswagen has done its fair share of development to make its dual-cab a unique offering.
While production of the Amarok will be undertaken in South Africa, Australia’s auto industry had a big role to play getting the new model off the ground. Not only did Ford’s local team contribute heavily to the development of the T6 platform, but VW’S Australian outpost added engineering and development input, making sure the Amarok can compete in a market which includes four utes in the top 10 bestselling models list.
Over three years of work by the VW Commercial Vehicles Design Studio in Melbourne went in to creating the new Amarok’s looks, with project head Gu-han Kim saying the local connection is essential to the model’s global success.
“More than three years ago, a local team came to Melbourne to work on the design and the vehicle, and to do our part on delivering the best product for our customers,” said Kim.
“Working on the Amarok here Down Under was truly inspirational because the Australian pickup market is huge, you can find pickups everywhere, they’re part of the normal streetscape and customers use them for all kinds of purposes.
“Travelling in Australia often means driving far distances and our Amarok is the perfect driving machine – on city roads or long highway trips, it will take you safely and comfortably to your destination. And if you explore Australia outside the city in more remote parts of the country you will find kilometres of unsealed roads, gravel roads and dirt roads that can be challenging to drive on, but of course they are no issue if you drive the Amarok.”
Kim acknowledged booming local demand for vehicles which are just as capable off road as they are on it, reflected in the new Amarok’s extended wheelbase over its predecessor – which gives more space in the cabin, but shorter front and rear overhangs aid its off-road credentials.
“Here in Australia, there are a lot of pickup drivers who love to go off road. They push their 4x4 vehicles to the limits, and again the Amarok is perfect for that,” Kim added.
“Climbing up steep hills, crossing rivers with knee-deep water, driving along the beach; no matter what, the Amarok will take you anywhere.
“The Amarok is the right car at the right time, the best pickup with the VW Commercial Vehicle logo ever made and, of course, it’s not only made for Australia – with its stunning design, strong specs and driving abilities – this car is ready to impress customers all over the world.”
It’s expected the local Amarok will utilise the three turbo-diesel engines on offer in the next-gen Ranger – two 2.0L four-cylinder units producing 125kw-405nm and 154kw-500nm respectively, as well as a 3.0L V6 making 184kw-600nm – while a Ford-sourced 2.3L four-cylinder turbo-petrol will also join the fleet, making 222kw.
We anticipate the Amarok to launch here early next year, with pricing and features to be