THE new Volkswagen Amarok will officially go on sale in South Africa on March 18.
Designed in Germany and Australia, this new generation will be built in South Africa.
“As Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, we are proud that the new Amarok range, which consists of single and double cab derivatives, will be built in our country, thus supporting the local economy,” said Mark Handley, head of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
In South Africa, the new Volkswagen Amarok range will be available in the following trim lines: Amarok (base model), Life, Style, PanAmericana, and the top-of the-range Aventura.
All new, yet typically Amarok
At 5,350mm, the new Amarok is 96mm longer than its predecessor. A wheelbase of 3,270mm represents an increase of 173mm. The off-road capabilities of the Amarok are also enhanced by much greater wading depth which has increased to 800mm (previously it was 500mm).
The new front section is a statement in itself. The same applies to the bars running horizontally across the radiator grille, with the concisely integrated LED headlights which come as standard on all derivatives.
The lights used on the Amarok PanAmericana and Amarok Aventura are the IQ.LIGHT LED headlights, which are a new feature to the Amarok range.
A typical Amarok design feature is represented on the side by the half-round wheel arches. The outer frame of the rear section is formed by the tail lights.
The new Amarok is strikingly spacious in the load bed. The maximum payload has increased from a tonne to 1.16 tonnes. Cargo in the loadbed can also be secured using an electrically operated roll cover.
The new Amarok has a maximum towing capacity of over three tonnes. The Amarok also has a new range of wheel options, and for the first time ever the bakkie will, depending on the derivative, also be sold with ex-factory all-terrain tyres for 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels.
High-quality interior for professional tasks
With its intuitive controls, digital cockpit and tablet-style infotainment display, the new Amarok’s interior has a high-quality functional appearance.
Driving made effortless
The new Amarok model range comes equipped with a multitude of new driver assistance systems, some of which will be found in the new Amarok range for the first time. Modern driver assistance systems across the range include: area view 360° camera, adaptive cruise control, rear traffic alert, electronic parking brake, blind spot detection, lane assist, park assist, light assist, evasive steering and front assist.
Four diesel engines, 10-speed auto transmission
In South Africa, the new Amarok will be available with a choice of four turbo-diesel engines. Qualities common to all engines are efficiency and high levels of torque.
The base specification engine is a four-cylinder, 2.0-litre TDI delivering 110 kW. In terms of power output, the next engine is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI delivering 125 kW. At the third level, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be offering a four-cylinder TDI engine with 2.0 litres of cubic capacity and bi-turbocharging, which develops 154 kW of power. The new top TDI engine is the 3.0-litre V6 which develops a power output of 184 kW.
All Amarok versions with a power output of 154kW and above will come standard with the new 10-speed automatic gearbox, served via a shift-by-wire system. The new 10-speed gearbox replaces the eight-speed automatic transmission of its predecessor. In addition, there will also be five-and six-speed manual gearboxes, as well as a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Recommended retail price
Amarok 2.0 TDI 110kW 5-speed manual – R599 000
Amarok 2.0 TDI 125kW 6-speed manual – R650 500
Amarok 2.0 TDI 125kW 4MOTION 6-speed manual – R721 500
Amarok Life 2.0 TDI 125kW 6-speed manual – R683 500
Amarok Life 2.0 TDI 125kW 4MOTION 6-speed manual – R738 000
Amarok Life 2.0 TDI 125kW 4MOTION 6-speed auto – R760 000
Amarok Life 2.0 BiTDI 154kW 4MOTION 10-speed auto – R825 500
Amarok Style 2.0 BiTDI 154kW 4MOTION 10-speed auto – R900 000
Amarok Style 3.0 TDI V6 184kW 4MOTION 10-speed auto – R966 000
Amarok PanAmericana 2.0 BiTDI 154kW 4MOTION 10-speed auto – R987 000
Amarok PanAmericana 3.0 TDI V6 184kW 4MOTION 10-speed auto – R1 053 000
Amarok Aventura 3.0 TDI V6 184kW 4MOTION 10-speed auto – R1 105 000
The new Volkswagen Amarok now comes standard with a four-year/120 000km warranty, a five-year/100 000km EasyDrive Maintenance Plan, and a six-year anti- corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000km.
