Volkswagen Amarok pickup unveiled

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With the Amarok, Volkswagen is entering a new segment of mid-range pick-ups, representing an annual market volume of two million vehicles worldwide. Amarok is also the first 1-tonne class pick-up to be developed in Germany and VW has big plans for it.

Amarok will be launched first as a four-door version with “double cab” – a “single cab” will debut in 2011.

Under the hood is a 163 hp 2.0 TDI with common rail injection has two-stage bi-turbo turbocharging, which generates a torque of 400Nm at a low 1,500 rpm. In mid 2010 another four-cylinder TDI will follow with 122 hp and 340 Nm of torque. Both engines are paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Even in this 4×4 version, the 163-hp TDI consumes just 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres (equivalent to 206 g/km CO2).

Thanks to its 80-litre tank, the pick-up is also capable of ranges of over 1,000 kilometres! All Amarok pick-ups are equipped with an upshift indicator as well to assist drivers in attaining an economical mode of driving.

For power transfer, three different drive concepts are offered – each tailored for a specific market: full-time all-wheel drive, switchable all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive. In the base version, the Amarok has rear-wheel drive. This version is intended for customers who mainly chose the pick-up for its body form and its versatility.

Truck bed cargo area measures 2.52 square meters (1,555 millimetre length, 1,620 millimetre width). For the first time on a mid-size pick-up, it is possible to load Euro pallets sideways, saving on space. Payload capacity is up to 1.15 tonnes, optional “hitch” can handle up to 2.8 tonnes trailer load.

Some of the other highlights are: Four airbags, ESP, ASR, ABS and assistance systems like Hill Hold Assist. Amarok will be first launched in South America early 2010; to be followed by Australia and South Africa as well as Europe in mid-2010.