Volkswagen updates four-cylinder Amarok range

VOLKSWAGEN has consolidated its range of four-cylinder Amarok ute variants, introducing new naming conventions as well as upgrades to infotainment technology and a light refresh in styling previously seen on the top-level V6 variants that arrived in Australia in November.

The six-speed manual gearbox has been dropped from the range of 4x2 models, while the Highline and Ultimate names are gone from the four-cylinder range and will now exclusively refer to V6 variants.

Also, the Amarok is now only offered in four-door guise, with the single-cab variants deleted from the range.

It is unclear if slow sales were a factor in VW dropping the single cab, but a spokesperson from the car-maker said: “This is simply a case of streamlining the range in order to offer better value in the key models.”

The four-pot range kicks off with the 4x2 Dual Cab Chassis manual from $38,490 before on-roads, and tops out at $50,490 for the Core Plus 4x4 Dual Cab automatic.

It now consists of Core and Core Plus variants with the lower grade offered in cab-chassis and ute body styles, while the Core Plus is only available as a ute.

As part of the range update, all variants get a refreshed interior with an updated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-compatible infotainment system that can support a reversing camera and parking sensors (except for cab-chassis versions) which are standard on 4x4 variants and optional on 4x2s.

Exterior changes include a mildly updated front fascia that more closely represents the V6 variants, while 4x4 variants sit 34mm higher off the ground thanks to a new closed-type underbody guard that protects the undercarriage of the car in off-road conditions.

Multi-collision braking is now standard across the range, while the Core Plus model adds carpet floor covering, updated cloth seat trim, front parking sensors, additional 12V sockets, body coloured mirrors and door handles, rear grab handles and interior lights, and post-collision braking system.

No changes have been made to the Amarok’s 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, that still pumps out 132kW/400Nm when teamed with the manual gearbox, while torque is boosted to 420Nm in eight-speed automatic guise.

The new V6 Amarok takes the coveted title of most powerful one-tonne ute on sale in Australia, with its 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 putting out a beefy 165kW/550Nm, eclipsing rivals such as the Holden Colorado, Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.

VW sold 627 examples of the Amarok in Australia last month, to go with the total of 8261 units last year.

While the Amarok’s 2016 sales figure is reasonably insignificant compared to the high-selling HiLux (42,104) and Ranger (36,934), Volkswagen Australia expects that number to rise in 2017 with half of Amarok sales expected to be the new V6 model.

2017 Volkswagen Amarok pricing*

TDI420 2WD Dual Cab Chassis (a)	$38,490
TDI420 2WD Dual Cab Ute (a)	$39,990
TDI400 Core 4x4 Dual Cab Chassis	$41,990
TDI400 Core 4x4 Dual Cab Ute	$43,490
TDI420 Core 4x4 Dual Cab Chassis (a)	$44,990
TDI420 Core 4x4 Dual Cab Ute (a)	$46,490
TDI400 Core Plus 4x4 Dual Cab Ute	$47,490
TDI420 Core Plus 4x4 Dual Cab Ute (a)	$50,490

*Excludes on-road costs