The new Volkswagen Amarok will be available in single cab (SingleCab) and double cab (DoubleCab) body styles. The latter is 5350 mm long, which means that it is 96 mm longer than the previous generation car.
The wheelbase of the Amarok has grown by 173 mm and now stands at 3270 mm. Since the distance between the axles has increased more than the actual overall length, this means that the overhangs have become shorter and the off-road qualities have improved due to the body geometry.
The width of the car has been reduced by 34 mm to 1910 mm and the height has increased by 10 mm to 1888 mm, although this parameter depends on the choice of wheels and tires. By the way, Volkswagen will sell the Amarok with standard 17-inch steel wheels, while expensive trim levels will get 21-inch alloy wheels for the first time.
The Amarok's off-road capability has also been improved with greater fording depth for crossing water obstacles. It used to be 500 mm, but it became 800 mm.
As with the previous generation model, there is plenty of space in the Amarok's cargo area between the wheel arches for a Euro pallet. Although the SingleCab version can even accommodate two pallets. The load is secured with straps through the eyelets on the load platform, each of which can withstand a load of up to 500 kg.
In line with the high payload capacity, the maximum payload has increased from 1 ton to 1.16 tons. The contents of the loading platform can also be protected from prying eyes and hands with a motorized roller blind. The blind can be opened and closed from the cargo area, from the cab, or remotely using the vehicle key.
An interesting fact for travelers is that the static load capacity of the roof is 350 kg. This is enough, for example, for a four person rooftop tent, which will be available as an accessory. Depending on the version of the ordered vehicle, from the factory or in the list of additional accessories there will also be all-terrain tires up to 18 inches and a variety of trailer mounts. Additional features available for the cargo area will include a bike carrier, a multifunctional mounting system and a manual version of the retractable shade.
The cargo platform will again receive a hard top, thanks to which the pickup truck is transformed into an SUV with the carrying capacity of a van. Meanwhile, off-road performance can be further improved with a roll bar, underbody protection and chassis modifications.
Four turbodiesel engines (TDI) and one turbocharged petrol engine (TSI) have been announced for the new Volkswagen Amarok. The common qualities for all five engines are efficiency and high torque.
In the African market, for example, the base engine is a four-cylinder 2.0-litre TDI with 110 kW (150 hp). In terms of performance, the next engine for many markets around the world is the 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI with 125 kW (170 hp). Next in order of precedence is the 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged four-cylinder TDI engine: it develops 150 kW (204 hp) or 154 kW (209 hp) depending on the market.
The engine used as the new top-end TDI is a 3.0-litre V6. It develops up to 177 kW (241 hp) or 184 kW (250 hp) depending on the market. In regions where petrol engines are preferred, the next-generation Amarok will boast a 222 kW (298 hp) 2.3-litre unit.
A ten-speed automatic transmission will be standard on all engines above 207 hp. (154 kW). The rest will be mated with a six-speed automatic transmission and a five- or six-speed manual transmission.
In many markets, the Amarok will come with all-wheel drive as standard. Depending on the region and engine, there will be two different 4MOTION systems here: one with plug-in and the other with permanent all-wheel drive. Depending on the engine version, the pickup will be able to tow trailers weighing up to 3.5 tons.
Not only the appearance has been completely changed, but also the interior, in which the vertical display of the multimedia complex occupies a central place - apparently, a slightly modified version of the Ford SYNC 4. The touch screen diagonal is 10 or 12 inches, depending on the level of equipment. It sits next to the eight-inch digital instrument cluster on cheaper models and 12 inches on higher trims.
The new Volkswagen Amarok is promised options: Amarok (base model without a separate designation), Life, Style, off-road-oriented PanAmericana and luxurious Aventura. If desired, and if the necessary amount is available, more than 20 new driver assistance systems can be squeezed into a pickup truck. For example, ACC + adaptive cruise control (recognizes road signs and automatically limits speed) and IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights.
Production of the new Volkswagen Amarok will begin in September 2022 at the new Ford Motor plant in South Africa.
However, the history of the first generation Amarok does not end there. VW Commercial Vehicles will continue to assemble the original pickup truck in Argentina for sale in South America.
Source: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles