THE new Volkswagen Amarok has been revealed, with the popular fleet pick-up set to offer a new style, increased equipment levels, and a new range of engines.
Aiming at the premium end of the market, VW Commercial Vehicles will be targeting both existing customers, as well as those in the likes of the no longer available Mercedes Benz X-Class.
Co-developed with Ford as part of a wide-reaching commercial vehicles partnership, the new Amarok looks very different in terms of design.
At launch, there will be two body styles and five engine options to choose from, though different markets will pick and choose what to make available. Body styles are either four-door double cab or two-door single cab, and there are four turbo-diesels or a petrol for regional markets to decide upon.
The range topping engine is a 3.0 V6 TDI with up to 250hp, or a 2.3 litre 302hp turbo-petrol. More likely to be picked by fleet buyers however are the 2.0 litre four-cylinder diesels with 204hp or 209hp depending on market.
These will either drive a 10-speed automatic transmission as standard for any model producing 204hp or more, though there will be a 6-speed auto and 5- or 6-speed manual offered.
4Motion all-wheel drive is fitted as standard, and maximum towing capacity is up to 3.5 tonnes. A standard Euro pallet can fit in the load bed, and the single-cab version can actually take two pallets loaded sideways. Payload has increased from one tonne to 1.16 tonnes.
Up to six driving profiles are available to assist the driver in low grip areas or off-road, with a suite of 20 assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control and LED matrix headlights rounding out the technological improvements for the new Amarok.
Volkswagen has made the new model longer and wider than before for improved interior and load space, plus it has improved off-road elements such as fording depth and shortened the overhangs.
Inside, a full Digital Cockpit is available on high-spec models, including a 12-inch tablet-style screen and digital instruments. Physical controls remain though for aspects such as infotainment volume or all-wheel drive settings.
UK specifications will be revealed closer to launch, which is expected to be early 2023.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
Why not join the conversation on SME fleets – visit our LinkedIn SME Fleet Discussion page
