Taking a look at the new VW Amarok

On road or off, at work or play, the VW Amarok is a stylish multi-tasker

Some vehicle launches might be only skin deep but – if you were to make a building industry analogy – the new VW Amarok is perhaps not quite a back to brick job, but it is mostly certainly a major refurb. Given that its predecessor has racked up sales of more than 830,000 that’s not to say that it wasn’t already a very good pick up, but it has undoubtedly got a whole lot better.

There’s now over 30 driver assistance systems, for example, 20 of which are new. That’s joined by improved off-roading ability, with a wading depth of 800mm, and a shorter overhang. Added to that are improvements in the cargo area, the widest ever choice of engine options, enhanced servicing and much more.

The VW Amarok manages to achieve that tricky balance of rugged off roader with the star turn of an unashamedly premium product. If you need a haven from a hard day on site then take time out in your leather heated seat with 10-way function, with the added luxury of a steering wheel in the same material. Enjoy the Harman Kardon sound system with which the two highest spec’d models – the PanAmericana and Aventura – are equipped and take control with a digital cockpit and multi-function steering wheel.

The very large central console is your gateway to all this vehicle’s functionality. It is here that those navigating tighter jobs – or some of our narrower urban byways – will welcome the addition of a 360° camera on everything from the Style trim upwards, whilst maximum visibility is afforded by LED matrix headlights from that same Style spec level up.

This is equally a tool that will help you get the job done, not least with an increase in load bay dimensions on the previous generation – and a payload of up to 1,113kg. This particularly wide and unencumbered space will accommodate a Euro pallet sideways between the wheel arches. If you need to keep equipment secured there’s a locking tailgate integrated into the vehicle’s central locking, and there’s the option of either a manual or electrically operated roll top cover.

A 3 ½ tonne towing capacity will allow you to easily transport construction plant and, continuing the theme of a journey into space, passengers in the second row of seats get more leg and head room. Indeed, whether the back is occupied by work colleagues in the week or family on the weekend, all comers will enjoy significantly more room to manoeuvre in this double cab commercial vehicle.

Trim levels

There are four trim levels across the Amarok portfolio. Calling the Life model ‘entry level’ is perhaps something of a misnomer in that it still features a rear-view camera, 10.1in. infotainment screen – which is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay enabled – and 17in. Combra silver alloy wheels. The next order of spec is Style, a level where vehicles fitted with the Area View 360° camera begins – and there’s an upgraded 12in. console. The rear locking differential-fitted PanAmericana is the off-road expert, with an underride guard and comfort suspension system that will further assist amongst the rough stuff. At the top of the range sits the Aventura, which stands on 21in. Varberg silver alloy wheels.

Where the latest incarnation of the Amarok departs from its forbears again is under the bonnet, with a 2.0litre engine that achieves power outputs from 170 PS through to 205 PS, whilst 240 PS emanates from the noticeably more powerful 3.0litre TDI. The 2.0-litre TDI 170 PS is offered with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with all other engine variants equipped with a 10-speed automatic as standard. In the vehicles we tested the gear change is as impeccable as you can ever hope to experience.

Every Amarok comes equipped with 4MOTION all-wheel drive, with a limited-slip differential as standard on PanAmericana and optional on other trims. For the uninitiated, that means this most adept of off-roaders can move forward with only one wheel in contact with the ground. Moreover, a Drive Mode Control system provides access to up to six drive modes depending on the model: ECO, Normal, Mud/ track, Sand, Slippery and Load/trailer.

Features at a glance

Increased length and longer wheelbase
Improved off-road ability
Four-door double cab that can accommodate a Euro pallet sideways in the cargo box.
Payload up to 1.113 tonnes
Power outputs from 170 PS through 205 PS for the 2.0 TDI unit to 240 PS for the 3.0 TDI
4MOTION all-wheel drive with either three or four drive system modes
Towing capacity of up to 3,500 kg.
Four specification variants: Life, Style, PanAmericana and Aventura

Working With You

VW’s Working With You tagline is a recognition of the hard graft the entrepreneurial company owner needs to put in order to succeed. In that context the importance of a commercial vehicle, particularly to a small firm where an LCV is almost certainly the largest single investment that will be made in the business, cannot be underestimated. That’s why Amarok customers can now take advantage of the manufacturer’s 5+ Promise. Here, every vehicle will enjoy 5 services (three Oil Change, two Oil Change and Inspection plus three MOTs), an extended five–year warranty – up from the standard three – as well as five years roadside assistance. Again, with the latter extended from the standard three.