Global debut of German car-maker’s second-generation ute now just six weeks away
The all-new 2023 Volkswagen Amarok has been teased again exactly six weeks before its worldwide premiere on July 7 and its Australian release early next year.
This time Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VCV) has used professional networking website LinkedIn to preview the new Amarok’s high-tech new headlights, which are similar in concept to the C-shaped LED units on the new 2022 Ford Ranger on which it’s based.
However, the next Volkswagen Amarok ute’s headlights are much slimmer and angular, forming an arrow shape at their upper outboard corners, and will include VW’s IQ.Light matrix LED technology as an option on high-spec variants.
“These headlights are a real highlight: all models of the new #Amarok from #VWCV are equipped with LED headlights, making driving at night even more relaxing,” said VCV on its LinkedIn page.
“In higher configurations of our premium pickup, IQ.Light is optionally available. With this, the LED matrix headlights automatically dim for oncoming traffic or streetlights and better illuminate curves in the direction of travel. For even more comfort and safety!”
No further information was released, but Volkswagen Australia has promised the new Amarok will continue to be the best handling ute available – and its top-selling model – once first local deliveries take place from around February 2023, by which time stocks of the current model will be exhausted.
The original Amarok found more than 84,000 Aussie homes since its local launch in 2011 and outsold the supply-constrained Golf to become Volkswagen group Australia’s best-seller for the first time in 2021.
Initial supplies of the bigger, safer and more advanced new dual-cab 4×4 ute (single-cab and cab/chassis models are yet to be confirmed for Australia), which will again be available with V6 and four-cylinder diesel engines (this time Ford-sourced), will be tight from its new production source in South Africa.
But Volkswagen still expects the new Amarok to remain its top-selling model Down Under, and for Australia to leapfrog Argentina as the world’s biggest market for the second-gen ute, which was developed here alongside the new Ranger.
Therefore, expect the Ranger to donate at least its high-output twin-turbo ‘2.0L BiT’ engine, which commands a $2500 price premium in the Ranger and will up peak torque from 400/420Nm in the current Amarok to 500Nm.
V6 models currently account for more than 90 per cent of current Amarok sales and will continue to dominate demand, this time packing the new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 available in selected Ranger variants, in which it produces 184kW/600Nm.
That’s more torque than the outgoing Amarok V6 offers (up to 580Nm), but less power (up to 190kW, or 200kW on overboost), and both engines will come standard with Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission.
Volkswagen says the new Amarok’s payload will increase to up to 1200kg but doesn’t specify for which variants, and claims its 3500kg towing capacity will extend to a wider range of engine/gearbox variants.
All new Amaroks will bring significantly improved safety levels, including the addition of full-length side curtain airbags, a centre front airbag, lane keeping, adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking, almost certainly leading to a fleet-friendly five-star safety rating.
Volkswagen says the new Amarok will offer more than 30 new driver-assist systems, over 20 of which will be new to Amarok. Expect it to also inherit the new Ranger’s big digital infotainment and instrument cluster screens, which should result in higher prices.
Based on the same third-generation T6 ladder frame as the new Ranger, the new Volkswagen Amarok will share the Ford’s 800mm wading depth and 3270mm wheelbase (up 175mm), and will measure 5350mm long overall, making it at least 100mm longer than its predecessor.
In Europe, where up to four diesel engines will be offered, a five-variant model line-up will include the base ‘Amarok’, mid-range ‘Life’ and ‘Style’ grades and two new flagship variants to be called ‘PanAmericana’ and ‘Aventura’, aimed at on-road and off-road buyers respectively.
For Australia, homegrown Walkinshaw-developed flagship versions to replace the existing W-Series models – potentially badged as the VW Amarok W600S and W600X – have been confirmed to top the new ute range by 2025.
