Volkswagen Second Gen Amarok with ICE Powertrains

Volkswagen second generation Amarok pick-up truck has been unveiled boasting a 1.6-metric ton payload and the choice of five turbo-charged ICE powertrains.

Described as “the on- and off-road all-rounder” it has been conceived and designed in Germany and Australia while being produced in South Africa to target markets in Europe, Australia, New Zealand including several countries in Africa and the Middle East. Pitched as a premium truck, the Amarok also majors on more than 20 new driver assist systems, mobile online services, two all-wheel drive technologies and tailor-made accessories. The pick-up will come onto the market in the first few countries from the end of the year.

Turbo engines

Diesel engine options begin with three four-cylinder engines, each with 2.0-liter power plants. The base version specially developed for various African markets builds up from 149bhp of power output and maximum torque of 258ft-lbs. This engine version is equipped with a manual 5-speed gearbox and rear-wheel drive.

Up a level and there’s the 167bhp TDI with maximum torque of 298ft-lbs, selectable all-wheel drive and manual 6-speed gearbox. In several markets this engine will be available, dependent on market and model specification, with pure rear-wheel drive and also selectable all- wheel drive as well. Alternatively there will also be a 6-speed automatic transmission available.

The most powerful four-cylinder TDI has a bi-turbocharger and, in markets such as Europe, puts top power output of 201bhp and a maximum torque of 368ft-lbs. In many countries this engine will launch in this power output class with permanent all-wheel drive (4Motion) and 6- or 10-speed automatic transmission; in each case power is distributed between front and rear axle via an additional electromechanical transfer box. In other countries this TDI will be available as a 206bhp version in combination with selectable all-wheel drive and 10-speed automatic transmission. On the 201bhp models, there is the option of the fly-by-wire e-shifter 10- speed automatic transmission.

Amarok’s diesel range-topper is the 3.0-liter V6 which for markets including Europe claims to develop a power output of 238bhp. In some markets lower emissions stipulations allow a power output of 246bhp. At both power output levels the maximum torque of 442ft-lbs is always transferred to a standard-specification 10- speed automatic gearbox. The gearbox is coupled to permanent 4Motion all-wheel drive.

In some markets, a gasoline option will be available as a turbocharged 2.3-liter four- cylinder engine, providing power output of 298bhp and 333ft-lbs is the maximum torque. This engine will be shipped with 10-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive.

Like the predecessor model, all versions of the Amarok have an 80-liter fuel tank. The capacity of the TDI models’ AdBlue tank has gone up by 6.3 to 19.3 liters, an increase of almost 50%. All 4×4 drive systems, depending on engine version, allows a maximum towing weight of 3.5-metric tons.

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_