Volkswagen expands Amarok V6 range

VOLKSWAGEN Australia has announced an expansion of its Amarok V6 dual-cab pick-up range, with the addition of a manual transmission to the entry-level Core variant and the arrival of two new automatic entrants.

Previously, the four-cylinder TDI400 Core variant was the only variant in the Amarok range to feature a three-pedal option, however Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Australia director Ryan Davies said demand dictated the decision to bring the Australian exclusive to market.

“At every off-road, caravan and camping expo and Big Red Bash concert the team and I attend, we speak with current owners and members of the off-roading community who have begged us to bring an Amarok V6 manual to Australia,” he said.

“It was because of that passion that we were able to mount a case with our head office in Germany to build one and, based on Australia remaining the number-one export market in the world for the V6 Amarok, we are finally able to offer this unique, Aussie-spec ‘Rok.”

The six-speed manual option is set to arrive in showrooms in the December, employing a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel outputting 165kW (180kW on overboost) and 500Nm – down 50Nm on automatic variants.

Pricing is yet to be released, but the manual Core should come in under the price of the automatic version, which checks in at $52,590 plus on-roads.

Along with the announcement of the manual Core, Volkswagen has also unveiled two new versions powered by the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, the first of which the Highline Black which is now a permanent member of the family and priced from $64,990 plus on-roads.

The Black edition takes the specification of the Highline and adds a number of styling touches including 20-inch Talca black alloy wheels, a high-gloss black styling bar and side steps, gloss-black side mirrors, chrome radiator bar grilles, a front bumper design element, a black rear bumper and bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights (DRLs).

Inside, the Highline Black scores black headlining and pillar trims, a ‘Discover Media’ navigation system with app connect, and ‘Salipra’ cloth upholstery in Palladium. Vienna leather and heated seats are also available as optional extras.

The extra equipment comes at a cost of $3900 above the regular Highline grade.

Despite being based on the Highline, the Black scores the more powerful engine tune from the top-spec Ultimate, producing 190kW (200kW on overboost) and 580Nm.

Lastly, a special-edition V6 Canyon grade has been reintroduced to the range, arriving in September in a run of 350 units and priced at $57,990.

The Canyon is easily identifiable from its distinctive exterior elements, such as 17-inch ‘Aragua’ alloy wheels, door and tailgate decals, bi-xenon headlights with LED DRLs, dark-tinted rear tail-lights, black rear bumper and front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera.

Inside, the Canyon gains special cloth seat covers, black headlining and pillar trims, a multi-function colour display, Composition Media with app connect and climatronic air-conditioning.

Four colours are available on the Canyon, including Candy White, Indium Grey Metallic, Deep Black Pearl Effect and Outback Orange, the latter of which comes with black wheelarch extensions.

The Canyon makes use of the engine found in the Core and Highline automatic, producing 165kW (180kW on overboost) and 550Nm.

Sales of the Amarok 4x4 have eased 7.6 per cent in the first seven months of 2019, from 5246 units to 4845.

2019 Volkswagen Amarok V6 pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs