Volkswagen has just launched the second generation Amarok pickup truck, and while it's clearly a vehicle aimed at hard-working drivers, it's also clear that Volkswagen has designed it with the leisure market in mind.
Based on the same chassis as the new Ford Ranger
First, the tech stuff. The Amarok shares its structure and engines (and to be honest quite a lot of its styling) with the new Ford Ranger, and the two trucks are built alongside one another in South Africa. Indeed, we had been expecting to see rather more styling differentiation between the two cars - really, the Amarok just looks like a Ranger with the nose from a Volkswagen T-Roc SUV.
It's a bigger pickup than before - some 96mm longer overall than the old Amarok, with a wheelbase that's 173mm longer. That means more room in the back seats of the double-cab version (the only one that will be on sale in Ireland for now) and more space in the load bed too. There are shorter overhangs at the front and rear, so it should be good for off-roading while the maximum wading depth has gone up to 800mm, which is good news if we get any floods this winter. The load bed can handle up to 1,100kg of cargo, and there are heavy-duty tie-down points and a big, wide tailgate. You can have options such as an electric cargo bed cover.
Comfortable and car-like
Inside, the Amarok looks even more car-like than before (and the old Amarok was easily the most comfortable and car-like of all the one-tonne pickups on sale). There's a choice of ten-inch or 12-inch display screens for the infotainment system, and you get nicely chunky shortcut buttons for the big screen. In front of the driver, there's a choice of eight-inch or ten-inch screens for the instruments. Depending on the spec, these screens get robust-looking aluminium frames that reflect the cladding around the grille and lights of the front end.
Those lights can be fitted with LED Matrix headlights, and there's also an off-road version of the VW IQ signature light at the front (also partly protected by a robust aluminium bar).
Back inside, Volkswagen is offering two range-topping models which are designed to appeal to leisure buyers rather than builders - PanAmericana and Aventura. These versions come with a high-end Harmon-Kardon stereo, a leather-look instrument panel with contrast stitching, and optional electric adjust seats with leather upholstery (slightly cheaper Style models get 'ArtVelours' trim just like an ID.4).
For those who love camping, the maximum static roof load is 350kg, so Volkswagen is planning to exploit that by offering a roof-top tent option. You can spec your Amarok up with 21-inch wheels, or chunky 18-inch rims with off-road tyres. You'll also be able to pick from lifestyle accessories such as a bike rack built into the load bed, or a hardtop for that load bed that turns the Amarok into an SUV (sort of, kind of...). If you want to do some serious off-roading, there's also the option of a snorkel air intake.
Four diesels, one petrol
The engines come largely from Ford, and the lineup includes 150hp, 170hp and 209hp four-cylinder diesels, and a 3.0-litre V6 diesel with 241hp (that's VW's own). There's also a petrol option - Ford's familiar 302hp 2.3-litre turbo four but there's no word yet on whether VW will offer an R-badged version matching Ford's V6 petrol 288hp Ranger Raptor. There's a new ten-speed automatic gearbox option, again brought in from Ford while the Amarok will be offered in two-wheel drive or switchable four-wheel drive forms. An electric Amarok has been vaguely spoken of, but it's not on the horizon just yet.
It'll also be stuffed with safety systems, including those clever LED lights, active cruise control and switchable driving modes to accentuate the Amarok's on-road or off-road qualities.
Currently, the Amarok holds a very healthy 20 per cent share of the Irish pickup market, but VW Ireland Commercial Vehicles is confident that number can be exceeded when the new Amarok arrives later this year. Managing Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Ireland, Alan Bateson, said: "The new Amarok is a stunning looking vehicle and a key addition to the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles line-up. Packed with technology and new features that haven't been seen in this segment before, it combines the strengths of an incredibly capable off-roader with the comfort and versatility of a highly desirable pick-up. I cannot wait to see it on Irish roads."