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Twelve years after debuting as the brand’s first in-house developed bakkie, Volkswagen, after global sales of 830 000 units, has officially unveiled the all-new, second generation Amarok.
Ending more than three years of speculative reports and recently, a barrage of exterior and interior teaser images, the initiator of the premium bakkie outside North America returns to the roots of its predecessor, the European-market only Toyota Hilux-based Taro, by being based on a different vehicle, in this case, the new Ford Ranger.
The first non-Blue Oval vehicle to make use of the updated T6.2 platform, the others being the Everest, Ranger Raptor, Bronco and Bronco Raptor, the Amarok has been externally redesigned from the Ranger to incorporate a distinct Volkswagen look as per comments made two years ago by Wolfsburg’s Commercial Vehicles Head of Design, Albert-Johann Kirzinger.
ALSO READ: New Volkswagen Amarok: What to expect ahead of reveal
“We are really working hard to have a 100 per cent Volkswagen, a true Volkswagen, and not only a rebadged Ford. I want you to rest assured that this Amarok will be a real beast,” Kirzinger told defunct Australian online publication, caradvice.com.au, at the time.
In a later statement, the executive remarked, “We’ve given the strength and power of the new Amarok an unambiguous expression–with clear Volkswagen DNA, inside and out”.
As indicated by the original teaser sketches in 2020 and then last year, the Amarok adopts a squared-off, less rounded look with a flat grille seemingly derived from the Touareg.
Depending on which one of the five trim levels is selected, the Amarok offers a choice of four different grille designs, with the base, Life and Style getting their own unique look, while an X-shaped motif has been selected for the off-road focused PanAmericana and the lifestyle orientated Aventura that replaces the Extreme.
Down the side, the silhouette from the Ranger prevails, but at the rear, the LED light clusters have been restyled, the wheel arches extended a bit more and the tailgate revised with block AMAROK badging.
Again depending on the trim level, wheel sizes up to 21-inches will be offered, along with a manual tonneau cover or an automatic roller-shutter similar to the one offered on the Ranger and the Toyota Hilux Legend RS.
As per its new underpinnings, the Amarok also gains dimensionally with its overall length increasing by 96 mm to 5 350 mm, wheelbase by 125 mm to 3 220 mm and height by a scant two millimetres for a total of 1 880 mm.
At 1 910 mm, the Amarok is 34 mm narrower than its predecessor, but retains its 3 500 kg towing capacity. Depending on the model , payload increases by 350 kg to a maximum of 1 200 kg.
Returning for the first time since 2017 is a single cab capable of transporting two Euro pallets, with Volkswagen claiming improved rear head-and-legroom in the double cab. As with the Ranger, a cargo management is incorporated into the loadbin itself.
A standard fitment on higher-end models is LED lights, with the Matrix I.Q. LED being optional, along with a Harman Kardon sound system and no less than 20 new safety and driver assistance systems comprising Lane Change Assist, Trailer Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Adaptive Cruise Control, a 180-degree reverse camera, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Park Assist to name but a few.
Live article: Updated as details emerge
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