The second generation of Volkswagen Amarok has just been officially unveiled. The new VW pickup hides a Ford Ranger and it will be produced by Ford. But it has a design of its own. Compared to its predecessor, it is a bit larger and has sharper technology.
The Amarok is a success. Launched in 2009, this pickup has sold more than 830,000 copies worldwide. However, for this brand new generation, the leaders of Wolfsburg have chosen to join forces with their competitor Ford, which will also build the Amarok, in its factory in South Africa (for all markets).
This new Amarok is based on the Ford Ranger, following the – reversed – example of the new Ford Tourneo Connect which is a facelifted Volkswagen Caddy. In the case of pick-ups, the two models differ more in terms of style, even to the point that only the doors seem interchangeable. Compared to the previous Amarok, the newcomer is distinguished by a more expressive design, with again a strong identity for the Volkswagen model. The wheel arches flattened on the upper part of the previous generation have been retained. At the rear, we notice the C-shaped optical units and the monogram stretching over the entire width of the tailgate. Up front, the daytime running lights also adopt a C-shaped design, but they’re much flatter than on Ford’s Ranger.
A little bit taller
The Volkswagen Amarok grows slightly: at 5,350 mm it is 96 mm longer than its predecessor. Its wheelbase also stretches by 173 mm to reach 3,270 mm. The result: slightly greater roominess, especially for the rear passengers, and more favorable approach and attack angles for those who would like to do some off-roading with their Amarok. A gain is obtained thanks to a wheelbase that increases more than the total length, with therefore reduced overhangs. The new Amarok can also cross a ford 800 millimeters deep, as against 500 mm previously.
But a pick-up is naturally mainly used to transport heavy loads. Good news: the loading capacity is also changing, going from 1 tonne to 1.16 t for the new Amarok. The tipper has a length of 1,544 mm and a width of 1,224 mm. Between the wheel arches, we can therefore accommodate a euro-pallet. The Amarok will be offered in Single Cab and Double Cab. But with us, only the latter will be available.
Only diesel
The range of engines in Belgium is made up of four types of diesel (three 2-liters and a 3.0-liter V6). The 2.3 Ecoboost (sorry, TSI…) supercharged gasoline 302 hp will not be marketed here either. The offer, therefore, ranges from the 2.0 Diesel of 150 or 170 hp to a 3.0 of 241 hp (and 600 Nm) via a bi-turbo of 204 hp (and 500 Nm).
The Amarok also uses the 10-speed automatic transmission from the Ford Ranger, but it also receives a 6-speed version and manual transmissions with the less powerful engines. In Europe, the Amarok still has all-wheel drive, which will be permanent or not depending on the engine. Depending on the engine, it will again be able to tow up to 3.5 tonnes.
Four levels of equipment
In Belgium, the Amarok range will be based on four equipment levels: the basic version which does not have a specific name, and the Life, Style, and Aventura executions. The entry-level camped on 16-inch steel rims, but it is still entitled to LED lighting, electrically retractable mirrors, a digital dashboard with an 8-inch screen, infotainment with a 10-inch touchscreen, and adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, lane-keeping assistant, reversing radar and parking cameras, among others.
The Aventura version topping the range makes the Amarok a real lifestyle pick-up, notably with alloy rims, and IQ adaptive matrix LED headlights. Light (also present on the Style version), a specific front bumper, and chrome accents. As on the Style, the touch screen displays a diagonal of 12 inches. We did not get an answer during the digital press conference when asked whether it is VW’s MIB3 system or Ford’s SYNC4.
The Amarok can also count on a whole series of driver assistance systems and modern comfort and safety equipment. Volkswagen also promises a functional interior with plenty of storage space. Interiorly, there are more similarities with the Ranger. The main differences are in the steering wheel, the physical controls housed under the touch screen and the layout of the center console.
Deliveries and prices
The new Amarok will be presented to the public for the first time on the occasion of the commercial vehicle show in Hannover (in September) and will arrive in showrooms before the end of the year. Prices have not yet been announced.
