VW Australia keen on Amarok Canyon special

VOLKSWAGEN Australia is interested in bringing the beefed-up Canyon special edition of its Amarok one-tonne ute to local showrooms, but nothing is confirmed at this stage.

Compared with the Canyon concept shown at the Geneva motor show in March featuring a body lift, flared wheelarches and huge mud tyres, the production version has been toned down slightly.

It still looks striking with its four roof-mounted spotlights, chunky all-terrain treads on unique 17-inch alloy wheels and Copper Orange paintwork that contrasts with the black Canyon decals, sports bar, side steps and rear bumper.

Volkswagen Group Australia press and PR general manager Karl Gehling confirmed to GoAuto that the company is considering the Amarok Canyon for these shores.

“We are certainly looking at it, it is an interesting vehicle for us,” he said.

Although reminiscent of Ford’s Ranger Wildtrack flagship, the Amarok Canyon is based on the lower-mid Trendline variant.

For the Canyon, Volkswagen has lifted the Amarok’s interior with two-tone part-leather upholstery and stitching for the leather portion of the seats, steering wheel and gear selector match the Copper Orange paintwork, as do trims on the air vents.

The Canyon’s tray features a roller cover, while under the bonnet will be a choice of turbo-diesel engines driving all four wheels via Volkswagen’s selectable four-wheel-drive or permanent all-wheel-drive systems.

In overseas markets a rear differential lock is optional (Australian Amaroks have them as standard) and customers can opt for 18-inch alloy wheels with road tyres.

The black sports bar and roller cover can be replaced by a standard hard tonneau and Reflex Silver, Natural Grey and Sand Beige exterior colours can be specified instead of the Copper Orange finish.

Volkswagen debuted the production Canyon alongside the lurid green, ruggedised Cross Caddy compact van on Volkswagen’s stand at the IAA Commercial Vehicle show in Hanover and will go on sale overseas early next year.

The Argentinian-built Amarok is quickly becoming a mainstream ute choice in Australia, with 4x4 variants beating the Isuzu D-Max and closing in on the Mazda BT-50 last month when it achieved a six per cent segment share.

Sales of 4x4 utes are up 19.6 per cent in Australia year-to-date with 80,251 units shifted, outstripping total market growth of 9.4 per cent – but 4x2 ute sales are down 11.7 per cent YTD.