Six and a half years after its debut, the Amarok has been significantly updated, both technically and visually. The central element of the update can be found under the bonnet, where Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has given the ute a new powerful, fuel-efficient 6-cylinder TDI engine. A more athletic front end and a new instrument panel emphasise Amarok's power. They give the vehicle a more upmarket feel, while the design is in line with the latest Volkswagen design DNA.

Ergonomic, electrically adjustable seats, new infotainment functions and safety features such as the Multi-Collision Braking System are additional attributes of the new Amarok.

The new Amarok V6 is available in Australia initially in the high-spec Highline and Ultimate model grades; both offering the most powerful V6 engine available from the global Amarok range. The agile responsiveness and surging torque of the Amarok's V6 diesel engine satisfy customer demand for greater traction at low revs and combine this quality with surprisingly low fuel consumption. A maximum torque level of 550 Nm is available at less than 1,500 rpm, for example. The power level is 165 kW, providing sufficient propulsive and towing power for any situation. At higher speeds, the long top gears of the automatic transmission reduce the engine revs and lower fuel consumption, thus helping to cut vehicle noise and lower CO2 emissions. The combined consumption of the new Amarok with 165 kW and the 8-speed automatic gearbox is 7.8 litres of diesel per 100 km*, which equates to an outstanding 204 grams of CO2/km*.

At a length of 5.25 metres and a width of 2.23 metres, including the wing mirrors, the Amarok meets all the expectations of a classic ute. Striking features of the design and of the new instrument panel architecture include the emphasis on horizontal lines, the clear division of the surfaces and the precise folds and edges. The way the front section is divided is completely new. Doing away with round contours and concentrating on horizontal and vertical lines makes both the front and the interior appear more striking and pronounced.

They make the Amarok more attractive as a ute and also appeal to customers moving from the traditional SUV segment.
Both versions of the new Amarok have a high and uniform level of safety features. Occupants are protected, for example, not just with driver and front passenger airbags, but with side and thorax airbags as well. One example of the new features is the Multi-Collision Braking System, which comes as standard. Nearly a quarter of all accidents involving injuries are collisions with more than one obstacle. Volkswagen's multi-award-winning Multi-Collision Braking System can help to avoid follow-on collisions or reduce their severity. Within the limitations of the system, Multi-Collision Braking automatically applies the brakes after any collision, even before the driver is able to react. The severity of a secondary accident can thus be reduced and, ideally, subsequent collisions avoided. The driver is able to take back control of the vehicle at any time.

Despite its impressive size, getting into the Amarok is easy. Doors that swing open wide and grab handles on the A and B-pillars help passengers climb into the cab. A glance at the instruments reveals a consistently horizontal design. This is due, first and foremost, to the lacquer bar that stretches from door to door and divides the dashboard into two levels. At the very top of the centre console, and thus directly in the driver's field of vision, is the new infotainment system – equipped with features such as App Connect and DAB+ as standard. This allows smartphone apps to be integrated via a USB interface to enable them to be accessed via the infotainment system's touchscreen.

Inside, the Amarok has passenger car levels of comfort. Neither headroom nor legroom leave anything to be desired. This is, above all, thanks to the heightadjustable front seats, which can also be moved a long way back. They feature sporty contoured side bolsters that have been optimised to provide maximum comfort and ergonomic characteristics. The electric driver and front passenger seats, standard on the Amarok Ultimate, can be individually adjusted to suit personal body size. The seat height and longitudinal position can be adjusted at the push of a button, the degree and width of lumbar support can be changed and the backrest and seat cushion angle set and the seat depth can also be adjusted manually. Due to their ergonomic quality, which relieving strain on the back, these 14-way ergoComfort seats are recommended by the German Healthy Back Campaign (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.) and have been awarded the 'AGR' seal of approval.

As with the current generation of four-cylinder Amaroks on sale in Australia, the four-door Amarok's cargo platform can accommodate a Euro pallet at right angles With the addition of the new V6 engine, the new Amarok Highline and Ultimate models can tow an impressive 3 tons, and perhaps more tangibly, offers an immense 6000kg GCM.

The wheel designs of the different versions of the Amarok have been updated and boost the appearance of the power athlete. The Amarok Ultimate has 19-inch alloy wheels and, just as is with the Highline, is also equipped with a real-time tyre pressure measuring system and the Park Distance Control parking assistant, which is assisted by a reversing camera. In addition to the multifunction steering wheel with paddle switches, the 'Premium Color' combined display, the nappa leather seat covers and stainless steel pedal caps in the interior, the Ultimate's look is rounded off by a new-look sports bar with an integrated LED.

Engine and drive system

The 3.0-litre V6 engine, fitted in the Amarok for the first time provides the ute with a thorough upgrade in terms of performance, emissions and fuel consumption. The ute, which is equally at home on-road as it is off-road, generates 550 Newton metres of torque and 165 kW. The fuel-saving BlueMotion Technology comes as standard. Development objectives such as superior performance have also been implemented. An 8-speed automatic transmission in combination with permanent 4Motion all-wheel drive is also standard.

This family of V6 diesel engine, with a cylinder angle of 90 degrees, has been previously used in luxury SUVs such as the Audi Q7 and the Porsche Cayenne. That's reason enough to now put the latest version of the tried and tested and extremely reliable engine to work in the updated Amarok.

Thanks to a newly developed VTG turbocharger with flow-optimised turbine and adjustable vanes with less play, the engine promises smooth responsiveness under all load conditions and across the whole engine speed range. In combination with the highly advanced common rail injection system and the special combustion process, this 3.0-litre, six-cylinder engine now both meets the applicable emission limits and the acoustic comfort and quiet running expected in a passenger car. A first in the ute segment. As a result of a special cylinder bore honing process and a newly developed package of piston rings with less downforce, the frictional losses inside the engine have been reduced by around ten per cent. An optimised cooling system with two separate circuits and thinner walls permits a shorter warm-up phase, which in turn saves fuel.

Offered as standard for both the Highline and Ultimate models, the Amarok uses the 4MOTION with permanent 4x4 and Torsen differential system with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This configuration also has an electronic differential lock (EDL) by automatic application of the brake, which prevents the wheels spinning on one side. Thanks to the EDL, the power from the drive system is always delivered to the wheel with the best traction.

4MOTION: the 4x4 version is best suited for off-road use. As a thoroughbred all-terrain vehicle for the toughest of challenges, the Amarok is available with on-demand all-wheel drive. This is helpful when navigating complicated passages off-road and when scaling particularly steep inclines of up to 100 per cent (slope angle of 45°), which the Amarok is able to master, even when fully loaded.