Sketches detail new Amarok ahead of 2022 launch

VOLKSWAGEN Commercial Vehicles has released a couple of detailed design sketches giving us our first clear indication of what the body and interior of its third generation Amarok will look like. 

Due in showrooms late next year, the one-tonne dual-cab ute broadcasts an appearance Volkswagen says is “more self-confident”.

Echoing statements made by Ford at the recent global release of the Amarok’s twin-under-the-skin Ranger, the German brand said it will focus its premium light commercial vehicle not only at the trade sector, but also the growing recreational and four-wheel drive market.

Promising even greater versatility and off-road ability, its maker says the Amarok ute will have “clear Volkswagen DNA” with a “completely new appearance inside and out”. 

“The striking front, and above all the defining X design clearly distinguish the new Amarok and emphasise its claim to be leading the way”, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles head of design Albert-Johann Kirzinger said.

“We’ve given the strength and power of the new Amarok an unambiguous expression – with clear Volkswagen DNA, inside and out.”

While Volkswagen stopped short of revealing drivetrain or specification details for its next Amarok, it did say the model will feature “significantly more driver assistance systems” and that it will “impress customers in terms of its connectivity”. 

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Brand Board of Management Member for Sales and Marketing Dr Lars Krause says the new Amarok is not only highly capable but will feature several useful equipment highlights that may be utilised by tool-of-trade owners, suggesting the model may incorporate features found on the Ranger such as the workbench-style tailgate and 360-degree external lighting system.

“The Amarok makes possible what in many places appears impossible at first sight: it makes things easier for its users by assisting them in their work and everyday lives,” Dr Krause said.

“That’s because the Amarok provides solutions that enable our customers to achieve their goals – especially when things get difficult.” 

The Amarok has been in series production since 2010 and to date almost 800,000 examples have been produced. Volkswagen says the new model will be built in both its Pacheco facility in Argentina and at its Silverton facility in South Africa.

Locally, and despite its age, the Volkswagen Amarok continues to rank as one of the better-selling dual-cab four-wheel drive utes in its class. To the end of November, Volkswagen sold 7413 Amaroks nationally behind the Nissan Navara (11,634), Mazda BT-50 (11,790), Mitsubishi Triton (14,902), Isuzu D-MAX (17,164), Toyota HiLux (36,987) and top-selling Ford Ranger (42,239).

The current Volkswagen Amarok range is priced from $44,590 through to $81,490 plus on-road costs.