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The new Amarok promises to push the competition to its limits, and elevate Volkswagen to the top of the pick-up pile
Words: George Barrow Wrestling sales from the holy trinity of
pick-ups – Toyota’s Hilux, Nissan’s Navara and the Mistubishi L200 – might be the biggest challenge VW has had to face in a considerable time, but after a long wait the new Amarok pick-up truck has inally arrived in the UK and it promises to push the Japanese to their limits.
Powered by a 2-litre common-rail diesel engine, the Amarok is available with a choice of two power outputs. Entry-level models are equipped with a 120hp single turbo engine while power in the 161hp unit is developed through the use of twin-turbochargers.
All models are itted with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, and there is also the choice of permanent or selectable four-wheel-drive.
However, Amaroks speciied with permanent fourwheel-drive are no longer capable of carrying the one-tonne payload and cannot have the VAT reclaimed. Rear loadspace for all models is unaffected and each can accommodate a Euro-pallet sideways, offering a classleading 2.5m2 loading area.
Initially, only double-cab models will be available, but a single-cab model was shown at the IAA Show in Hannover last September, and will arrive in the UK later this year.
On the road
Built using a ladder chassis at Volkswagen’s Pacheco plant in Argentina, the Amarok performs just as you would expect a heavy duty pick-up to perform on the roads, albeit with a hint of passenger car inesse. Its leaf-spring suspension system irons out enough of the bumps to make your average journey over decent asphalt comfortable and, for a vehicle that tips the scales at two tonnes, corners capably and communicates the feel of the road well through to the driver.
For such a rugged-looking machine we were surprised by the light car-like steering and, although it might not be to every pick-up driver’s taste, it complements the Amarok’s sharp steering, which exhibits only a slight amount of hesitation through the initial few degrees of input.
On the other hand, however, is the gear change that physically and mechanically betrays the reinement of the Amarok’s steering. Through the gates, the six-speed gearbox feels tight and notchy, requiring forceful shifts, and as you re-engage the clutch the transmission baulks a fraction as drive is restored. It’s not an issue – this is a tough 4x4 after all, and an automatic transmission will eventually join the line-up – but it does emphasise that this is a CV, that will only be sold through VW’s Van Centres and is not as car-like as the feel and look of the interior might suggest.
Off-road
Any further doubts are allayed when the road turns to gravel and mud, where the Amarok is an effortlessly talented 4x4. Long gone are the days when four-wheel-drive owners needed to know how to handle themselves off-road. Modern technology ensures that anyone can enjoy a trip in the rough with minimal fuss. Equipped with hill-hold assist, to help as you prepare gears for steep inclines, hill descent control, to keep speed under control on the way down, and off-road ABS to ensure you stop, even on loose surfaces, the Amarok will keep an inexperienced operator on the move in the most demand ing of circumstances. Inclines of up to 45º can be tackled, as well as water measuring up to 0.5m, but it’s the intelligent control of the engine speed while in low-range which will really keep the amateur on the go. The Amarok’s ability to ascend and descend hills without any feet on the pedals is not good practice, but highlights the technology’s ability to carry you safely and in a controlled manner up and down the biggest of obstacles, while its party-piece of ‘accelerating in neutral’ is actually just clever management of the vehicles hill decent control.
Verdict
If every irst attempt was as good as the Amarok, there would be no failures in life. The 4Motion technology has been tried and tested in a range of applications from Caddy to Transporter, and the Amarok only strengthens the line-up.
With starting prices from £16,995, class-leading capacity and the promise of 35mpg fuel consumption in our test vehicle, competitors should be fearful of the Amarok’s potential to take the market by storm. International Van of the Year jurors have already awarded the Amarok the inaugural International Pick-Up title and there is little doubt the sales will follow. ■