Amarok has undergone makeover by Volkswagen. The new mid-size pickup vehicle, which will go on sale later this year, is a twin of the updated Ford Ranger shown in November.
Both the redesigned Amarok and Ranger are based on an updated version of the T6 body-on-frame platform. The updated platform made its debut in the modern Ford Bronco.
The new truck is 3.8 inches longer than the previous Amarok, at 210.6 inches, and has a wheelbase that is 6.8 inches longer at 128.7 inches overall. The fording depth has increased from 19.7 inches to 31.5 inches. The pick up will be available in two-door single cab and four-door crew cab body types.
In addition to having additional technology, the new Amarok has a digital dash with screens up to 12 inches wide for the infotainment hub and instrument cluster.
Other tech features include surround-view cameras, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility, LED matrix headlights, adaptive cruise control, and a drive mode selector with choices for Normal, Eco, Slippery, Snow/Sand, Mud/Rut, and Tow/Haul.
There are five powertrains available, all of which are turbocharged. Only one uses gasoline, and the others use diesel. The gasoline version has a 2.3-liter inline-4 gasoline engine from Ford whose output is 297 horsepower. All of the diesel engines are produced by Volkswagen, and the highest model is a new 3.0-liter V-6 with up to 247 horsepower.
Depending on the market, there will be 5 and 6 speed manual gearboxes available, in addition to 6 and 10 speed automatics . The majority of markets will get the rear-wheel drive variant, however some have the all-wheel drive as standard.
Volkswagen has confirmed the Amarok will have up to 2,645 pounds of payload and 7,716 pounds of towing capability.
Ford will build the Amarok for VW at a plant in South Africa. The Amarok will be limited to parts of Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Australia and New Zealand, VW said.