Volkswagen doubles up with Amarok

A CRUCIAL single-cab version will join the all-new Volkswagen Amarok ute line-up just months after it is launched in dual-cab guise in Australia.

GoAuto can also reveal a 2.0-litre turbo-charged four-cylinder petrol engine will also be added to the range at some stage next year, alongside two diesel engines, widening the appeal of Volkswagen’s first commercial ute.

The lack of an automatic transmission is looming as the only gap in the Amarok product line up. Volkswagen Australia has confirmed an all-important auto gearbox is being developed, but cannot provide an estimate of when it will be introduced.

Volkswagen Australia is also yet to confirm the actual launch date of the Amarok ute, but will show the hugely important model at this October’s Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.

There is a chance the Amarok will go on sale locally before the end of the year, in line with the original plan, but it is more likely that the vehicle will be introduced early next year, given strong demand for it in South America where it is made in Argentina.

At launch, the Amarok range will consist of just the four-door crew cab available with two different 2.0-litre four cylinder diesels. The entry level engine will be a single turbo with 90kW and 340Nm, while the twin turbo diesel, which is also available in the T5 Transporter van, generates a more respectable 120kW and 400Nm.

Volkswagen previously has been reluctant to discuss details of the petrol engine it is planning for the Amarok, but key information was revealed to GoAuto by Volkswagen South Africa during a press event for the right-hand drive Amarok.

The single turbo TSI petrol engine will generate 118kW and 300Nm. The fuel consumption figure comes in at 9.9 litres per 100km.

Like the two diesel variants, the petrol will be paired with a six-speed manual gearbox.

While the petrol engine was primarily developed for South America, in particular Brazil where it will be adapted to run high concentrations of ethanol, Volkswagen Australia has confirmed it will take the engine at some stage next year.

Volkswagen Australia has confirmed it also will take the single-cab version of the Amarok as soon as it is available, sometime in 2011.

Volkswagen South Africa, the first division to introduce a right-hand drive version of the Amarok, plans to launch the crew-cab Amarok this October before introducing the single-cab variant in April next year.

The single-cab tub is being touted as the widest in its class at 1954mm, and will be able to fit three pallets with the tailgate down.

The Amarok is produced with three different drivetrain systems, although Volkswagen Australia is not yet ready to reveal which are bound for sale locally.

There is a base rear-drive version, a constant all-wheel-drive using a Torsen centre differential and a more off-road focussed version with a locking centre differential and low-range gearbox.

This version is also available with a locking rear differential for extreme off-road work.

Australians will have to wait a few more months for prices, but it appears the new workhorse will not be too much more expensive than rivals.

“It was benchmarked against the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton and it will be competitive with those three vehicles,” said Volkswagen Australia spokesman Karl Gehling.