► All-new VW Amarok Mk2 revealed
► Pick-up truck co-created with Ford
► Goes on sale in June 2023 from £33k
The second-generation Volkswagen Amarok goes on sale on 14 June 2023, priced from £33,000 + VAT, VW has confirmed.
This new pick-up model is bigger, has a range of driver-assistance systems, multiple petrol and diesel engines and two different all-wheel-drive systems. It will also be made in both four-door double-cab and two-door single-cab versions, giving truck owners the choice they crave.
The new Amarok is also notable for being the first pick-up VW has made since it started working with Ford on commercial vehicles – the truck shares much of its underpinnings with the new Ranger, which was revealed in November 2021.
Four trim levels will be offered in the UK:
- Amarok Life 17in alloy wheels, LED headlamps, 10in infotainment touchscreen, reversing camera
- Amarok Style Adds 18in alloys, chrome styling bar, black side steps, 12in touchscreen, 360deg cameras
- Amarok PanAmericana Off-road-oriented, includes locking rear diff, skidplates, comfort suspension
- Amarok Aventura 21-inch wheels, chrome door mirrors and handles, styling pack
Modified but still an Amarok
There is only so much you can do with the styling of a pick-up truck, but VW has done what it can within the parameters foisted by the Ford package. The front end features strong horizontal bars that lead into new LED headlights. All versions get LED lights as standard, but higher spec versions will come with an upgraded version, with a system called ‘IQ.Light. This brings an automatic dipping function, which kicks in when faced with on-coming traffic, traffic lights and street lighting. It also has a cornering function.
There’s also an X-shaped design on the front end of higher-end trims, with an ‘Amarok’ detail embossed above the number plate.
The rear end also features the truck’s name, embossed in larger letters across the whole width of the tailgate. The rear end also gets LED lights, on the higher models at least, while all versions get a new C-shaped design.
The side carries over some styling cues from the previous model, with squared-off wheel arches, featuring black protective cladding.
VW is looking to keep buyers from heading straight to aftermarket companies by offering a selection of accessories, including a hard top for the loading bay.
Functional quality cabin
VW describes the new Amarok’s cabin as ‘functional and high in quality’. The Digital Cockpit that features across a range of the brand’s passenger cars has made its way into the pick-up. All versions get an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.0-inch ‘tablet-style’ central touchscreen. Top-spec models upgrade both of these to 12.0-inch screens.
Android Auto and Apple Carplay are both standard across the range, while top models get a Harman Kardon sound system. Wonderfully, given the seemingly never-ending spread of touchscreens in cars in general and VWs in particular, the Amarok bucks the trend by offering a row of physical buttons, as shown in one of the many teaser images before the truck’s unveiling.
These buttons control features such as the volume, the off-road systems and the air conditioning. These are all features that you are likely to need to adjust while wearing the sort of gloves that pick-up buyers might wear for work, but it is a welcome change for all users. This comes as a result of feedback from customers and as VW said in the press release about the buttons: ‘In the one-tonne pick-up segment things do at times also have to happen fast. How good it is then if you’re able to bring up key menus on the central display simply by pushing a button or turning a switch.’
Quite.
Practicality all round
VW has also highlighted the storage on offer in the Amarok’s cab and in the loading bay. There are storage spots on the dashboard, two glove compartments on the passenger side, a central storage space with a wireless phone charger (not on base trims, though) and large bins in the doors. There is also under-seat storage, a centre arm rest with cupholders in the rear and a large storage space behind the back seats.
Inside, Volkswagen says comfort reigns supreme. With 17.5 more centimetres between the axles, the double cab is now more spacious – and it was hardly short of room before. Wide fronts seats can, for a price, be configured with electronic adjustment and VW claims the rear seats will accommodate three full-sized humans comfortably, too.
The Amarok is longer than before – the wheelbase has increased by 173mm and the overall length has grown by 96mm – but the cargo bay is marginally smaller than it was previously. It is 1544mm wide (it was 1555mm before) and 1206mm wide between the wheelarches (down from 1222mm). Despite this it is still capable of taking two Euro pallets and the loadbay is now marginally deeper, at 529mm (from 508mm).
You can carry more weight in this version of the Amarok, though, as the maximum payload has increased fractionally to 1.2 tonnes. The Amarok was already one of the best trucks for payload in the UK, so this just cements that reputation.
One area that has improved is its towing ability. All versions can now tow 3.5 tonnes.
Engines
There will be four diesel engines in the Amarok, shared with the Ranger, three four-cylinder models ranging from a 150hp model that won’t come to the UK, a 170hp version and a 204hp bi-turbo with 500Nm of torque.
The top model is a 241hp 3-0-litre V6. This version comes with a 10-speed automatic gearbox as standard – also shared with Ford – while the rest of the range come with either this ‘box or a six-speed manual. While there is a 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, this isn’t likely to make it to the UK. These engines will be shared with the Ford Ranger.
Interestingly, it is made for electrification, although no decision has been made now. VW says it will keep an eye on developments but the option is there in the future.
In Europe, the Amarok will come with four-wheel drive as standard. There are two systems – a permanent four-wheel-drive and a selectable all-wheel-drive setup. The former has four modes for use on different surfaces such as snow, rock and road. The latter uses an electronic transfer box that sends torque to the rear and front wheels as needed.
Multiple trims
Entry-level models will simply be badged Amarok (don’t expect to see many of these in the UK), with Amarok Life and Amarok Style stepping further up the ladder.
At the top of the range, buyers will be able to choose from variants with equal billing: Amarok PanAmericana is an off-road focused trim, while the Amarok Aventura is more dedicated to life on the road.
In addition to the 10-inch touchscreen, base versions will get adaptive cruise control, dynamic road sign display, intelligent speed assist, lane assist, rear view reversing camera and front assist surrounding area monitoring system. It also gets rear parking sensors.
Life gets LED front fog lights, body-coloured bumpers, 17-inch alloys, and heated door mirrors with downward-facing lights. It also gets more adjustment for the driver’s seat, a leather steering wheel, and tinted rear windows. Front parking sensors, rain sensor, an upgraded sound system are also included. Style adds kit such as the new IQ.Light system, the larger screens and wireless phone charging.
The top versions are PanAmerica and Aventura. PanAmerica gets the following:
- Bespoke front bumper design
- LED rear lights
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Electronically adjusted front seats
- Soft-touch faux leather on the dashboard
- Harmon Kardon sound system with eight speakers
- Adaptive cruise control with intelligent speed assist and park assist
- 360-degree camera
- Mechanical differential lock
Aventura comes with:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Bespoke front bumper design
- LED rear lights
- Chrome exterior details on the door mirrors and handles and rear bumper
- Sports bar
- Soft-touch faux leather on the dashboard
When can I buy one?
The Amarok will go on sale in the UK in June 2023, with prices from £33k to £47k before VAT. VW has confirmed that it will not be collaborating with Ford on the pricing position, though – there is no official arrangement in place.
VW is planning for the current model to be on sale for ‘decades’ with at least 10 years factored in. The future potential for electrification will help on that front, says the company.
It will be built in Silverton in South Africa, where production has already started.
