The new Amarok is all set for launch. A ‘can do’ pick up, a multi-tool on wheels – meticulously throughout from cab to the cargo box. Propelled by powerful and efficient turbocharged engines and two different all-wheel drive systems. Depending on specification, more than 25 assistance systems, display units with up to 12.3-inch screens, a practical mix of digital and analogue controls and high-quality materials provide for clear advances on board compared to its predecessor, of which over 830,000 were sold.
Multi-tool for professionals: Thanks to a payload of up to 1.19 tonnes, 3.5 tonne towing capacity and an even better thought-out cargo box, the new Amarok masters every conceivable work and leisure time task. With its new drive, assist and control systems, the typical robustness of a pick-up and its very flexibly usable cargo box, the charismatically designed second-generation Amarok is ideal as an ultra-modern multi-tool for professionals.
All-wheel drive and two top versions: The new Amarok has been designed by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to go wherever it needs to go. In Europe and many other parts of the world, it, therefore, comes as standard with all-wheel rather than pure rear-wheel drive. Up to five efficient four and six-cylinder turbo engines deliver the drive system power required for work and non-work tasks. The new Amarok is in addition being offered in five equipment versions. They are the ‘Amarok’, ‘Life’ and ‘Style’ lines, plus the top versions ‘PanAmericana’ (off-road styling) and ‘Aventura’ (exclusive styling). The new Amarok has been designed as a four-door pick-up with a double cab {DoubleCab) and – for markets outside Europe – as a two-door version with a single cab (SingleCab).
Increased length and space: At 5,350 millimetres, the new Amarok is 96 mm longer than its predecessor. A wheelbase of 3,270 mm represents an increase of 173 mm. That provides more room in the double cab. The wheelbase has become disproportionately longer – reducing the body overhangs. That results in crisper proportions and improved off-road capability, as the Amarok DoubleCab’s ramp angles have been enhanced, being now up to 30 degrees at the front and 26 degrees at the back.
Four- and six-cylinder engines: Dependent on the market, the engines being used for the new generation Amarok112 are up to four turbo diesel engines (TOI with four or six cylinders) and a turbocharged petrol engine (TSI with four cylinders). Qualities common to all five engines are efficiency and high levels of torque. On, for example, in African markets the base engine specification is being offered: a TOI delivering 110 kW (150 PS)1. In terms of power output the next engine for many markets of the world, thus also including Europe, is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TOI delivering 125 kW (170 PS)2. At the third TOI power output level Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is offering a four-cylinder engine with a bi-turbocharger, which in Europe develops 151 kW (205 PS)2. Available as the new top TOI will be a V6 engine that, in the version meeting the Euro-6 emissions standard, delivers 177 kW (240 PS)2. In countries such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa the two more powerful TOI engines even reach a power output of 155 kW (210 PS)/ 184 kW (250 PS)1. For markets where petrol engines are dominant in the pick-up sector there is a four-cylinder TSI delivering 222 kW (302 PS)1.
New 10-speed automatic transmission: The Amarok with power output of 110 kW is being offered with a 5-speed gearbox and rear-wheel drive. The TOI engines delivering 125 kW and 151 kW will come in Europe and numerous other countries with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard. Also available in some markets as an option for the 125 kW TOI is a 6-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-litre TOI delivering 151 kW can as an option be configured with a new 10-speed automatic transmission. The 155 kW TOI, the V6 TOI and the turbo petrol engines always come as standard with the 10-speed automatic transmission.
3.5-tonne towing capacity: In Europe, all Amarok automatic transmission versions are allowed to tow trailers with a weight of up to 3.5 tonnes. Outside Europe, the maximum towing load, including for the versions with a manual transmission, is 3.5 tonnes. Compared to its predecessor the permissible total weight of vehicles and trailers has increased worldwide from 6.0 to 6.5 tonnes. The maximum payload of the double-cab pick-up has gone up to 1.19 tonnes.
Two all-wheel drive systems: In Europe and many other countries the Amarok is being supplied with all-wheel drive (4MOTION) as standard. Depending on the engine version, two different 4MOTION systems are being used here: one selectable all-wheel drive with three drive modes, and a top version with four drive modes. As an additional fourth mode (4A), the top version offers a variable and thus automatic power distribution between the front and rear axles via a multi-plate clutch. An optional differential lock and intelligent ‘Drive Modes’ top of the all-wheel characteristics.
Over 20 new assistance systems: Depending on specification, up to 25 assistance systems make driving even more effortless and in some cases safer. Over 20 of these systems – for instance, an automatic cruise control system (‘intelligent speed control assistant’), a parking assistant for assisted manoeuvring into and out of parking spaces, a 360-degree all-round view (‘Area View’), a lane change assistant and the road sign recognition system – are new on the second generation Amarok.
Strong, sovereign front section: The pick-up’s body now has a powerful look. “For the new generation we have significantly modified the Amarok’s archetypal design. It is now unambiguously more expressive and even more impressive”, says Albert Kirzinger, Head of Design at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The new, charismatic front section is a statement in itself. Especially striking: the straight and very upright bonnet with unambiguous Volkswagen DNA.
Unmistakable light design: The same applies to the bars running horizontally across the radiator grille with the concisely integrated LED headlights, which come as standard on all versions. The lights used on the Amarok Panamericana and Amarok Aventura, as well as in some countries on the Amarok Style, are the ‘IQ.LIGHT – LED headlights’, which are new to this product line. They provide interactive carriageway illumination and create an unmistakable light design. Below the transverse bars, the radiator grille unit merges depending on version into a further horizontal level of the front section or – in the case of the Panamericana and Aventura – into an X¬ shaped design. Embossed above the number plate holder of both top models is the word ‘Amarok’. To the left and right of it: the LED fog lights (included as standard on the Life and above).
Silhouette and rear end with unmistakable DNA: A typical Amarok design feature is represented on the side by the half-round wheel arches. In contrast to many other pick-ups, the upper termination of the wheel arches forms a practically straight line here rather than a circular one. The wings above the up to 21-inch alloy wheels also have a distinctive look and around the wheel arches are clad with robust plastic. The rear section to makes the vehicle’s DNA clear: beneath the VW badge the word ‘Amarok’ is embossed across almost the entire width of the tailgate. The outer frame of the rear section is formed by the taillights, which reach far into the silhouette. On the top Panamericana and Aventura versions are in a (¬ shaped design, and LED is standard.
Interior for professional tasks: With its practical controls and digital screens, the interior has been configured by the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles design team in a very functional and high-quality way. The look and feel of the materials resemble those of premium SUVs like the Volkswagen Touareg. The instrument panel’s layout is clear, well-structured, and ergonomically tailored to the driver. Even on the base version, the displays consist of the 8.0-inch Digital Cockpit (on the Style and above fully digital and 12.3-inch) and the portrait format touchscreen of the infotainment system (10.1-inch, Style and above 12.0-inch). It is also the case that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has achieved in the new Amarok an intuitively usable mix of digital functions and ergonomically designed buttons and rotary switches. The speaker volume of the infotainment system, for example, is adjusted via a rotary switch. The functions of the all¬ wheel drive, the primary functions for parking, the air conditioning, the assistance systems and the driving modes are controlled via buttons. Depending on the equipment line, these robust switches have chrome look rims.
Exclusive Harman Kardon sound system and leather seats: Incorporated into this scene of high-quality details are further features such as the 640- watt Harman Kardon sound system included as standard for the Amarok Panamericana and Amarok Aventura. Likewise included as standard in the Amarok Panamericana and Aventura: a high-quality leather-look instrument panel with elegant contrast stitching. The vehicle’s premium positioning is matched by the seating: the Amarok’s driver and front-seat passenger sit on ergonomically designed seats, which in the higher specifications can be electrically adjusted into up to 10 positions. The rear of the DoubleCab also offers plenty of space and comfort for three adult passengers. The central seat panels of the Style version are covered in ‘ArtVelours’ microfleece as standard, while Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles uses leather trim that is both elegant and hard-wearing in the Amarok Panamericana and Aventura.
Large cargo box and payload of up to 1.19 tonnes: It is also strikingly spacious behind the double or single cab: in the cargo box. As was the case on the predecessor model, the cargo bed between the wheel arches has, at 1,227 mm, enough room for a Euro pallet loaded sideways or lengthways. With the tailgate closed the length of the cargo box is 1,624 mm in the case of the DoubleCab and 2,332 mm for the SingleCab. The single cab version can therefore even take two Euro pallets sideways on. The load is secured via robust lashing rings on the cargo bed and side walls. The maximum height of the tail lift has also increased, dependent on specification, by as much as 21 mm to now 529 mm.
Accessory range satisfies every wish: An interesting fact for globetrotters is that the static roof load capacity has gone up to 350 kilograms – sufficient, for instance, for a roof tent. Either ex-factory or in the range of accessories, there will be features such as alloy wheels up to 21-inch in size, all-terrain tyres (up to 18-inch) and a diverse array of trailer mounts. Also available for the cargo box will be useful details such as a bike holder, a multi-functional carrier system, different roll covers, diverse designs of the styling bar, and a sports bar (the latter exclusively for the Amarok Aventura). There will once again be a hardtop for the cargo bed, which effectively transforms the pick¬ up into an SUV with the load capacity of a van.
Staged market launch: The new Amarok is being produced in South Africa. In parallel with the continual ramping up of the daily unit numbers, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is beginning the worldwide launch. It starts in the first few countries before the end of the year. Most markets will follow in 2023. In the course of next summer, the new pick-up will then be available to order in almost every country of relevance to this model.
