The highly anticipated Volkswagen Amarok has arrived on Irish shores. Available now as a four-door double cab, VW say that the new model combines the robustness of a pick-up, innovative technology, high safety standards, and excellent fuel economy with what they bullishly describe as their commercial vehicles renowned standards of comfort, quality, and durability.
The Amarok has a generous payload capacity of up to 1.05 tonnes and maximum towing limit of 2.8 tonnes. Its cargo area of 2.52 m2 has the largest dimensions in its class.
At over 1,500mm long and 1,620mm wide, plus a best in class width between the wheel arches of 1,222mm, VW say that this offering means that for the first time on a mid-size pick-up, it is possible to load Euro pallets in the cargo area.
Volkswagen also claim that the large and ergonomically designed interior is the largest in its class and in many ways resembles that of their passenger cars. Easy entry, lots of headroom, and ample legroom for passengers on the rear bench seat make the Amarok a fully-fledged five-seater. They point out that with only two travelers on board, the interior storage space can be increased by folding the rear seat.
A choice of two 2.0-litre fuel-efficient, Euro5 compliant, common rail TDI engines are available, one producing 163bhp with bi-turbo technologies, and torque of 400 Nm at a low 1,500 rpm, and the second producing 122bhp with maximum torque of 340 Nm from 2,000 rpm.
Both engines are paired to a six-speed manual transmission and have impressive fuel economy with low emissions to make the Amarok the first all-wheel drive pick-up in this class offering CO2 emissions from less than 200 g/km. A gear-change indicator to help drivers achieve the best fuel economy is standard and the 80-litre fuel tank offers a range of over 1000km.
Standard safety systems fitted include six airbags, ESP (Electronic Stability Programme ) incorporating Brake Assist System (BAS ), Traction Control System (TCS ), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL ), Hill Hold Assist, Hill Descent Control, Trailer Stability Control, and off-road ABS, designed to shorten stopping distances significantly on loose surfaces. And a mechanical differential lock comes as standard.
The 4MOTION Selectable four-wheel drive system, available on all models, offers a choice between rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, and low range four-wheel drive via a button mounted on the centre console.
The new Amarok is available in three specification levels, entry, Trendline and Highline. Standard specification includes electric windows, remote control central locking, air conditioning, and a stereo radio/CD system. Trendline adds colour coded bumpers and mirrors, 16” Taruma alloy wheels, cruise control and front fog lights while Highline adds 17” Aldo alloy wheels, widened wheel arches, privacy glass in the rear, leather gear knob and steering wheel, and automatic climate control.
Pricing starts from €31,650 ex-works and is available immediately. A single Cab version will follow in 2012. Volkswagen Bank is currently offering a 5.9 per cent APR hire purchase deal with monthly payments from as little as €399.
Niall Phillips, sales and marketing manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles told the Advertiser, “We are extremely excited about the arrival of the eagerly awaited new Amarok, which offers dramatic on- and off-road technologies together with a beautifully styled interior and exterior at a very competitive price”.
