Updated Volkswagen Amarok interior revealed

GERMAN auto giant Volkswagen has overhauled the interior of its Amarok utility, revealing this week that the facelifted series due in Australia later this year will offer a more comfortable, car-like and better-equipped cabin than the current model.

The new Amarok interior takes many styling cues from its Volkswagen stablemates, including a new steering wheel and instrumentation similar to the Passat and climate controls comparable to a Golf, as well as a new infotainment touchscreen.

According to Volkswagen, the new cabin ditches the round vents and smooth surfaces of the outgoing model in favour of hard edges and square vents to emphasise horizontal lines and appear “more striking and pronounced”.

The new multi-function steering wheel is equipped with radio, telephone, multimedia and display controls and can be optioned with paddle-shifters, while higher-spec variants will also get a 3D display nestled between the speedometer and tacho.

Volkswagen has also equipped the new Amarok with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, satellite navigation with up-to-the-minute traffic information and digital radio as standard, although Australian specifications are still to be confirmed.

The Wolfsburg-based car-maker is also touting the inclusion of a digital voice enhancer which will allow for clearer hands-free calls by amplifying sounds and utilising the rear loudspeakers.

Electronically adjustable ‘ergoComfort’ front seats are also included, featuring improved bolstering and height adjustment along with the usual seating position and angle changes.

The two front seats can be optioned with 14-way adjustment allowing tweaks to areas including lumbar support, backrest and seat cushion angle, and seat depth. Seats are also available wrapped in nappa leather with contrast stitching and a seat heating function.

Finally, parking sensors and a reversing camera will also make manoeuvring the one-tonne pick-up easier, with Volkswagen saying the new Amarok will show “how elegant and comfortable driving both on and off made-up roads can be”.

As GoAuto reported earlier this month, one of the powerplants in the new Amarok will be a 165kW/550Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 – the only six-cylinder in its class – and will be able to propel the ute from zero to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.

Volkswagen Group Australia will confirm the new line-up and pricing closer to launch.

The current Amarok range kicks off from $35,490 plus on-road costs for the 2.0 TDI400 and tops out with the $63,990 2.0 TDI420 Ultimate – the most expensive model in its class.

This year, sales of the Amarok have totalled 2977 to the end of April and, while it represents a 10.7 per cent increase year-on-year, Volkswagen is well off the pace of segment leaders Toyota HiLux (12,883), Ford Ranger (11,006) and Mitsubishi Triton (7547).