Next VW Amarok prototypes bring it closer to reality

Details surrounding the next generation of the Volkswagen Amarok remain a mystery except for the fact that the Amarok will be built at the Ford Silverton plant alongside the Ranger which it shares a platform with. 

So far, Volkswagen has teased the new Amarok twice via sketches with the latter depicting the bakkie’s distinctive and clear design features as well as sharpened design cues but not enough to really make much of them.

Now, Volkswagen is showcasing its new Amarok which wears heavy camouflage to hide its significantly modified design. The front is expected to feature the brand’s DNA, horizontal, upper radiator grille crossbars plus narrow LED headlights that come standard across the range. IQ. Lights LED matrix headlights can be specified as options. 

At the back, the new Amarok spawns a wide tailgate with ‘Amarok’ lettering while framed by standard LED rear lights. According to VW, there is sufficient space on the cargo bed between the wheel arches for a euro pallet to be loaded in sideways and strapped in place there to robust lashing rings.

In terms of wheel sizes, the Amarok can be fitted with up to 21” alloy wheels and all-terrain tyres for the first time as standard. 

As seen in the sketch images, the Amarok’s interior features a digitised cockpit and a table-style infotainment system – similar to what lurks in the new Ranger, we think. Exclusive sound system, elegant leather-look surfaces of the instrument panel and door panels with distinctive decorative stitching can be had as options. 

There are comfortable and wide seats which can optionally be configured with electric 10-way adjustment.

The new VW Amarok will be available in five trim levels; Amarok, Life, Style, PanAmericana (off-road character) and Aventura (on-road character). 

In terms of dimensions, the new VW Amarok is 100 mm longer and now boasts a wheelbase that has been stretched by 175 mm more than its forebear. The payload has also increased to 1.2-tonnes with the maximum towing capacity at 3.5 tonnes across all models. 

Depending on the market, the Amarok will be available with a sole petrol engine and up to four diesel powerplants with four to six-cylinder setups of 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre with optional RWD or permanent AWD. 

In the safety stable, the Amarok will have more than 30 driver assist systems, over 20 of which are entirely new to the bakkie.

While the new Volkswagen Amarok will share its platform with the new Ford Ranger, we do not expect it to look similar to its stablemate since it will have ‘clear Volkswagen DNA’. 

It is expected to launch in South Africa in the first quarter of 2023 following the launch of the Ford Ranger in 2022. 

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