More details emerge on next-gen Amarok

VOLKSWAGEN has released further details of its next-generation Amarok utility, which is due to arrive in local showrooms towards the end of this year.

The Wolfsburg-based brand says its new utility (based on the underpinnings of the Ford Ranger) will be more capable both on- and off-road and will be offered with a new V6 diesel engine, as well as “four further engine specifications”, at least one of which is petrol.

What’s more, the Amarok will be offered with the choice of rear-wheel drive and two different all-wheel drive systems (on-demand or permanent), suggesting the model will closely emulate the driveline offerings found in the twin-under-the-skin T6 Ranger.

Volkswagen is also promising a greatly expanded array of driver assistance and safety technologies and says the larger model will offer increase payload capacity (up to 1200kg), and a (standard) 3500kg braked towing limit. As before, the Amarok will be capable of accommodating a full-size European pallet between its wheel arches.

The 2023 Volkswagen Amarok will measure 5350mm in length (+100mm) with a 3270mm wheelbase (+175mm) resulting in greater cabin space. It will also offer shorter front and rear overhangs than before, ensuring improved off-road performance, which the brand says will be further bolstered by “significantly greater water fording depth”.

With an expanded array of preconfigured driving modes and more than 30 driver-assistance systems, the next-gen Amarok will also provide more intuitive controls, a digitised instrument panel and tablet-style central infotainment system.

Compared with its Ford cousin, the Volkswagen will offer a brand-specific audio system, as well as leather-look surfaces (on the instrument panel and door cards) with “distinctive decorative stitching”.

VW says it will offer the Amarok with “comfortable, wide seats”, which can optionally be specified with 10-way electric adjustment in the front row.

Five trim grades will be available, including “Amarok” entry grade, Life and Style mid-tier variants, and top-spec PanAmericana (off-road focused) and Aventura (on-road focused) models. Single and dual-cab variants will be offered in selected markets.

And while the final design of the Amarok is yet to be unveiled, Volkswagen says the model will offer a powerful and charismatic form with a straight, very upright bonnet, horizontal upper radiator grille crossbars and narrow LED headlights, which are standard for all versions. Optionally – and, assumedly, on high-grade variants – Volkswagen will offer its IQ.Light LED matrix headlights that “will underline the Amarok’s high-tech look”.

In profile, the Amarok’s flat-top wheel arches and 21-inch alloy wheels are evident and the model is further differentiated from its predecessor by a new-look rear-end with LED taillights and A-M-A-R-O-K lettering across the tailgate.

“For the new generation we have significantly modified the Amarok's archetypal design. It is now unambiguously more expressive and, once again, appreciably more impressive,” said Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles head of design Albert Kirzinger.

The new Amarok will launch locally at the end of 2022.