The VW Amarok Thread

Volkswagen Amarok (2010-2023) Buyer’s Guide

The 1st-gen Volkswagen Amarok was on the South African market for more than a decade. What should you look out when shopping for a used example? Let’s take a closer look…

When the original Volkswagen Amarok touched down in South Africa in 2010, the Wolfsburg-based manufacturer’s local division billed it as the “world’s most fuel-efficient 1-tonne bakkie”, predicting that the 2.0 BiTDI powertrain would “revolutionise the segment”.

But, by the time the curtain fell on this generation some 13 years later, the Amarok would instead be remembered for the most powerful (and least efficient) engine in the line-up: the 3.0-litre V6 TDI.

Yes, for quite some time in Mzansi, the Amarok was the only bakkie in its class to be offered with a brawny 6-cylinder turbodiesel, lending VW’s 1-tonner a distinct unique selling point. And, when a V6-powered alternative finally did arrive in the form of the now discontinued Mercedes-Benz X350d, it proved to be a short-lived rivalry.

Of course, there’s more to the German firm’s 1st real stab at a 1-tonne bakkie (the Taro that preceded it by a couple of decades was just a rebadged 5th-gen Toyota Hilux, after all) than a single powertrain option, particularly since this engine was offered only after the facelift. In fact, at launch, Volkswagen described the ladder-frame Amarok as the “most technically advanced bakkie in South Africa”.

Designed by Walter de Silva – the man responsible for penning the Alfa Romeo 156, 1st-gen Audi A5 and R8 models, Volkswagen Up, and many more – the 1st-gen Amarok was an important model for Volkswagen in regions such as South America and Australasia, with South Africa likewise categorised as a “key market”. We’re going to focus on the double-cab body style here, since the 2-door version wasn’t particularly popular with local buyers (and even fell away entirely at the facelift).

Once the 2nd-generation model – based on the Ranger and built by Ford in South Africa – came online in early 2023, around 830 000 examples of the original Amarok had been sold globally, with more than 42 000 of those registered locally (around 29 000 in pre-facelift form). Fascinatingly, although production of the original Amarok has ceased for global markets, the 1st-gen shape will technically soldier on in Argentina as a prolonged-lifecycle model – or Amarok Vivo, if you will.

 
Volkswagen’s Fortuner rival that never was: Amarok SUV design proposal revealed

Although Volkswagen has repeatedly stated that an Amarok-based SUV was not in the pipeline, we now know that it was at least under consideration.

The rendering you see here was posted on LinkedIn this week by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) design head Albert Kirzinger, but his wording seems to imply that it’s more a “could have been” than a preview of what’s to come.

This is what he had to say about the rendering:

“Exploring design ideas for the Amarok pickup truck! Our research phase back in the day took us on an off-road journey, and here’s a sneak peek with a rendering featuring a fully closed pickup bed. Ready for rugged adventures!”

Although he appears to be describing a bakkie with a fixed canopy, the picture shows a purpose-designed SUV with a shorter wheelbase, along the lines of a Toyota Fortuner or the Ford Everest that it would logically have been twinned with, although it doesn’t appear to share body panels with the latter.

 
A Volkswagen Amarok built to withstand rifles: SVI announces discreet B6 package

SVI Engineering has revealed a new B6 discreet armouring package for the second-generation Volkswagen Amarok double cab bakkie.

Joining the B4 protected Amarok, which offers protection against hand guns, the B6 bakkie was designed to withstand assault rifles such as the AK47, R1 and R5.

The Pretoria-based manufacturer is offering its new B6 package at R825,681 excluding VAT, which is a R280,000 premium over the B4 model.

With the least expensive Amarok DC coming in at R650,000, your entry price to a B6 equipped model would be R1.47 million while an armoured Aventura flagship model would theoretically set you back by just over R2-million.

SVI’s B6 package is available with all engine variants of the Volkswagen Amarok, but keep in mind that there is a significant weight penalty which will affect performance and economy.

In order to compensate for the additional bulk, SVI performs a suspension upgrade.

B6 is the highest grade of civilian-vehicle armour that’s available in South Africa without a special permit.

SVI’s engineering team drew on their knowledge of the closely related SVI Ford Ranger. As with their OEM approved package for the latter, the Amarok’s comprehensive 360-degree B6 armouring package includes 38mm armoured curved glass as well as high-grade armoured steel plates which are precisely cut and bonded in specific areas.

 
I got a new Amarok and with the size of the vehicle need some after market 360 cameras to assist with parking. Any suggestions who I can use?????
 
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