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The second generation Volkswagen Amarok is a step closer to local showrooms. And dealers say wait times are shorter than for the Ford Ranger on which the new model is based.
Pre-orders for the second-generation Volkswagen Amarok are now officially open in Australia.
And dealers canvassed by Drive say, although interest is high, waiting times for first new model in 12 years – now based on the Ford Ranger – are much less than its technical twin under the skin.
Volkswagen Australia says it has received 12,000 “expressions of interest” in the new Amarok in the lead-up to its arrival in local showrooms from next month.
However, dealers canvassed by Drive say they have been taking deposits ahead of time.
The prices and specifications of the new-generation Volkswagen Amarok were published in February and can be found here. However fresh details have been added since then – including fuel consumption figures for each model and some unexpected equipment upgrades.
Although the second-generation Volkswagen Amarok is based on the latest Ford Ranger – and is made in a Ford factory in South Africa rather than Thailand where Rangers sold locally are sourced – the vehicle has received a significant styling and trim overhaul.
During development of the new model, Volkswagen Germany also assigned a dedicated team of designers and engineers to be based in Australia to work alongside the Ford Ranger team – with one exception.
The Volkswagen designers didn’t get to see the final product from Ford – and vice versa – until the design of both vehicles was “frozen” (industry jargon for locked into production).
Instead, Volkswagen designers shaped the new Amarok based on the bare bones architecture (or “hard points” in industry parlance) of the Ford Ranger before shaping their version of the ute.
Volkswagen dealers canvassed by Drive say they are expecting first customer deliveries of the new Amarok to commence in May.
Although stock levels vary from dealer to dealer, one showroom representative told Drive: “We have good stock coming through, we are telling people three to six months, depending on colour and model grade.”
As reported previously, Ford Ranger wait times stretch from six months to two years on popular models – such as the XLT, Sport, Wildtrak and Raptor – though the basic workhorse variants with steel wheels, vinyl flooring and halogen headlights are in stock now.
To mark the occasion of the new Volkswagen Amarok’s arrival in Australia the company today released photos of technicians pulling the transport wrapping off the first demonstrator vehicles.
Australia is the number one market for the Amarok globally – and could be Volkswagen Australia’s top-selling model if supply interruptions continue to impact the passenger-car and SUV line-up.
Volkswagen says deliveries of the Amarok Core TDI405 and Life TDI500 will commence from next month with the flagship Amarok Style TDI500 and TDI600 V6, PanAmericana TDI600 and Aventura TSI452 and TDI600 close behind.
Volkswagen Australia says it expects the Amarok Style will be the top selling variant ($66,990 plus on-road costs in twin turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel guise, and $70,990 with a single turbo 3.0-litre diesel V6) because of its long list of luxury features versus its similarly priced peers.
Standard equipment on the Volkswagen Amarok Style includes Matrix LED headlights, widescreen digital instrument display, a large ‘tablet-style’ centre infotainment display, 360 degree camera, auto reverse parking assistance, front and rear sensors, leather-look dashboard and door trims, heated front seats, and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen says its first turbo petrol Amarok – for now, an exclusive in the segment – is expected to appeal to customers who have never owned a ute before, but who want the added practicality of a double-cab “work and play” vehicle.
The petrol-powered Volkswagen Amarok is also expected to appeal to ute buyers who prefer the extra refinement and performance of a petrol engine – and don’t want the hassle of dealing with diesel particulate filters, especially in city and suburban use.
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