Road Test


VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK


VW Amarok Style 2.0 TDI 4Motion 205hp 10-speed automatic double-cab pick-up


Price (ex VAT)


Price range (ex VAT)


Gross payload Load length


£41,450


£33,000–47,000 1,060kg 1,624mm


Load width (min/max) 1,224mm/1,584mm Load bay height Loading height


Gross vehicle weight


529mm 876mm 3,280kg


Braked trailer towing weight 3,500kg Residual value Cost per mile


Engine size/power Torque Gearbox


40.9%* 68.3 p


1,996cc, 205hp @ 3,750rpm


500Nm @ 1,750-2,000rpm 10spd automatic


Fuel economy (combined WLTP)


Fuel tank CO2


Warranty


Service intervals Insurance group Price as tested


32.1mpg 80 litres 229g/km


5yrs/124,000 mls 2yrs/12,500 mls 42E


£41,950


* after 48 months @ 20,000 miles a year - source - KWIKcarcost


2 1 3


4


Options Metallic paint


£500


fter an absence of three years, Volkswagen’s Amarok 4x4 pick-up is back in the UK – but the newcomer is a somewhat different proposition to that of its predecessor. Ever-closer ties between VW and Ford mean that the latest Amarok is based heavily on the latter’s Ranger pick-up platform, but with different styling cues. Aside from the badges, VW’s offering is distinguished by flat-topped wheel arches, a high waist and a differently- styled radiator grille. For your money you also get narrow LED headlights and C-shaped rear lights. Unlike Ranger, Amarok 4Motion is marketed solely as a double-cab. Under the bonnet you will find a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine at either 170hp or 205hp or a 3.0-litre TDI V6 pumping out 240hp. Four specification levels are up for


A


grabs; Life, Style, PanAmericana and top-of-the-pile Aventura.


The 170hp unit is available solely


with entry-level Life trim and comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. All the other models are supplied with a standard 10-speed shift-by-wire automatic box. Bear in mind that the undoubtedly-


opulent Aventura’s payload capacity falls under the vitally important 1.0-tonne


24 WhatVan?September 2023


threshold. As a consequence business owners cannot reclaim VAT on the vehicle. We elected to get to grips with a 205hp model built to Style specifications. Here’s how we got on.


Load bay


Access to the cargo box, which sits on a ladder frame chassis, is by means of a lockable tailgate which drops down horizontally. As with all modern purpose- bult pick-ups, a bulky rear bumper – which incorporates a step – prevents it from dropping down completely. Six load tie-down points are provided plus a styling bar which sits above the load bay. Gross payload capacity is a VAT-efficient 1,060kg, while braked trailer towing capacity is an impressively-beefy 3.5 tonnes. The VW logo plus the embossed


‘Amarok’ name would make sign-writing the tailgate something of a challenge. The cheap and tacky-looking ‘4Motion’ stickers on the body’s sides would get in the way too and should be removed.


Interior and equipment A big 12-in vertical touchscreen dominates the centre of the dashboard of what is undoubtedly a well-equipped truck, and controls many of the in-cab


Picture Key


1. Amarok in Style trim gets 18in alloys


2. Exterior styling helps distinguish Amarok from Ford Ranger


3. Bonnet conceals 205hp diesel 4. Side steps are included in the deal


functions; although thankfully some of them are still controlled by physical buttons. It is complemented by a 12in digital instrument panel.


The infotainment package embraces


a DAB+ radio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay plus VW Connect Navigation. Dual-zone climate control is included in the deal as are front foglights with a cornering function. IQ.Light LED matrix headlights are fitted to Style, PanAmericana and Aventura and provide a high standard of nocturnal illumination. So are a 12v socket and a pair of USB ports along with an inductive charging pad for your smartphone. A keyless ignition system is fitted along with an electric parking brake and reversing sensors. The vision provided by the reversing camera is exemplary and we can only applaud the 360° birds-eye view which alerts you to any


www.whatvan.co.uk


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