18/12/2023 We;re testing the second generation VW Amarock pick up – the result of a partnership with Ford commercial vehicles. The two companies teamed up to share technologies in their car and van divisions. Volkswagen is lending it’s EV advances and technologies to Ford for its use. While Ford is providing expertise in the van sector. Essentially the 2,362kg Amarock harnesses the underpinnings of the Ford Ranger pick up truck.
The Volkswagen Amarock, when it launched set a benchmark for driving comfort with good off road ability and a very good turning circle that put it top of the class for user choosers who valued a car like driving experience over more agricutural rivals. The Amarock was relatively great to drive day to day, despite being 5 metres long. In the serious rough-and-tumble of off-roading, it may have not been the best AWD pick up but on the road it was.
A two litre diesel is the entry engine with 168hp and a manual gearbox, next in the line up is a more powerful 2-litre with 202hp (manual or 10-speed automatic). Our test Amarok features a V6, 3 litre diesel that has 237hp under the bonnet that is married to a 10 speed automatic gearbox that many would be familiar with from the Ranger Raptor. With options it weighed in at €73,085. The shifts are very smooth and the ratios help deliver relatively excellent fuel consumption – especially if you use a light foot and carry light loads (we averaged 9.8L/100km unlaiden).
The Amarock is still a utilitarian machine in day-to-day on-road driving two wheel drive mode delivers the most economical performance. Four-wheel-drive low and high settings are available. Various selectable driving modes will help tackle the toughest building site access, making the Amarok a serious machine capable of a hard-working life. Ground clearance at is 229mm at the front – rising to 237mm at the rear axle. A host of assistance safety systems are available – just shows how far we’ve come from the early days of health and safety with commercial vehicles!
There is nothing remarkable to its rear deck, although eagle eyed users will spot the Ranger’s measuring rule embossed on the taildeck. There are sliding eyelets with a 250kg rating. A Euro pallet fits and the vehicle can tow 3.5 tonnes (model dependent). The static roof can carry a load of up to 350kg. The deck has a 500-573kg load capacity. We had an electronic roller shutter (an aftermarket fitting) that sadly was faulty and would not roll correctly.
The double cab has a great driving position and the dash layout is clear and feels like a mid-spec car – there’s even a heated steering wheel and adjustable ambient lighting available to name a couple of toys! You can sit very car like behind the wheel and VW gives you lots of creature comforts car users would be happy with. There are new lighting options with the IQ.Light Matrix LED headlights particularly impressive. The build quality is very good and looks durable. The Amarok seems to value its driver and the high driving position is truly commanding. Longer drives are pleasurable and in places where vision is restricted, fromthe driver’s seat you really have an easy time. It is an acurate vehicle to steer and placing it needs to be on the road is never a vague experience. Amarok is long but surprisingly narrow.
The Amarock is a handsome pick up with an aire of class thanks to its proud VW grille and front end. When an Amarok fills a rearview mirror, drivers could be forgiven for thinking it was a premium SUV. The cabin seats five, with the rear seats accommodating three in a quite upright position. On one occasion I needed to do the big family shop and without having cable ties to hold my shopping in the rear deck floor the rear seat area easily accommodated multiple bags and left me without the fear of the bags flailing around the back of the pick up‘s deck every time I went over a bump or around a bend. Amarok’s reversing camera absolutely negates any fear of manoeuvering such a long beast into a parking position.
Many times the Amarok reminded me of how easy it is to use in an urban environment and position safely on the roads. The vehicle comes with a host of ADAS assistance systems that will help keep occupants and cargo safe and sound. Grades start with ‘Amarok’ rising to ‘Life’, ‘Style’, ‘PanAmericana’ and ‘Aventura’. Pricing starts from €47,355 for the 2-litre TDI with 168hp and a 6-speed manual gearbox. V6s start with the Style grade from €64,735 rising to the top of the range ‘Aventura’ from €72,225. Volkswagen Ireland expects a 20% market share for Amarok in Ireland in 2024 – rising to 30% in 2025. VW’s service plans look tempting from €20 per month. The VW Amarok is a smart choice for user/choosers who need a truly multi-purpose machine that can also manage an impression of being a presentable SUV at times. Michael Sheridan
