2023 Volkswagen Amarok debuts featuring Ford Ranger T6 platform 

Volkswagen premiered the next-generation Amarok midsize pickup truck in Hannover, Germany. It now has plenty of features inside and out, which now puts it on par with its segment rivals.

The 2023 Volkswagen Amarok

It now also uses the Ford Ranger T6 platform, which currently underpins the Bronco, as well as the old and new versions of the Ranger and Everest.  

Of note, the Amarok has only received a series of facelifts and updates since the first-generation version was released way back in 2010. Suffice to say, this next-gen model was a long time coming. 

But what does the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok have to offer? Let’s check it out in detail. 

Exterior 

As mentioned, Volkswagen took care to modernize the all-new Amarok. And of course, one of the elements the brand focused on is the truck’s exterior design. 

It gets a beefy set of wheel arches as well

For starters, its front end now features a more modern, but also more aggressive design. In particular, its hood features muscular-looking bulges, and it gets a pair of sharp-looking LED headlamps as well. Below that is a sleek grille, and farther down is a sizable skid plate. 

From the sides, one can see that it uses a new set of wheels. Depending on the trim, it may get a 17-inch set or a 21-inch set.  

The rear also gets LED C-shaped taillights, and a tailgate emblazoned with the words “Amarok”. Other exterior equipment available for this new truck includes roof rails, a bedliner, as well as an optional hardtop bed cover.  

Volkswagen also assures that optional off-road accessories will also be made available to this truck. Among these are a bullbar, a snorkel, underbody protection, etc. 

The tailgate is linked to the Amarok's central locking system

The all-new Amarok can now carry up to 1.16 tons. The roof can also carry a static load of up to 350 kg, which is great news for those wanting to turn this ute into an overlander. It is also much larger than the old model as it is now 5,350mm long. That’s 96mm longer than the first-generation model. Furthermore, its fording depth has been bumped up to 800mm, compared to the old model’s 500mm depth capacity. 

Its extended wheelbase of 3,270mm also made the truck roomier, and having this length also allowed the marque to package it in such a way that ensures short overhangs for better approach angles.  

Interior 

As with any midsize pickup truck in the market right now, the Amarok can comfortably seat up to five occupants. What elevates this model into modernity though, is the addition of a fully digital cockpit. More on this later. 

Design-wise, the interior looks quite contemporary as well. There are plenty of soft-touch surfaces, but choice pieces including the air-conditioning vent bezels are decorated in brushed aluminum. Even some buttons are made out of the same aforementioned material.

A peek inside the Amarok's interior

Controls for the automatic air-conditioning system do take the form of buttons, and a push-to-start button or a turnkey ignition system is available depending on the trim. 

Getting the right driving position is also made easy by way of electronic adjustment. The seats on the Amarok themselves are also clad in leather with contrast stitching, though fabric ones are available on lower-spec variants. 

Tech & Safety 

Like we’ve said, the all-new Volkswagen truck gets a digital cockpit. Depending on the trim, this means an eight-inch digital gauge cluster or a 12-inch one for the higher-spec models.  

The infotainment system on the top-spec variants is equally as large at 12-inches. This particular headunit features Volkswagen’s online services, as well as Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity. 

Check out that huge tablet-style headunit

The said touchscreen is then linked to a Harman Kardon sound system. On other trims, the standard is a smaller 10-inch unit that comes with the same features. 

Volkswagen also made sure that the new Amarok is up-to-snuff when it comes to safety. In total, it gets more than 20 advanced driver-assist features. These include adaptive cruise control, automatic headlamps, traffic jam assist, front assist area monitoring, park assist, a 360-degree view camera, among others. 

Engine & Performance 

Before listing off the Amarok’s choice of engines, do note that it will also be getting two different 4x4 drivetrains depending on where it’s going to be sold. Both are under the 4motion drivetrain brand, and one is a permanent 4x4 system, while the other is a selectable 4x4 system. 

Moving on to engines, the new Amarok uses a 2.0-liter oil-burner in two states of tune. One can make up to 168 horsepower, while another can produce up to 148 horsepower. There are also two bi-turbo 2.0-liter variants that can churn out 201 horsepower or 207 horsepower. 

Looks like the Amarok has shaped up into an even more potent off-road capable ute

In its most powerful form, the Amarok uses a 3.0-liter V6 that can dish out up to 238 horsepower. There is however, a 2.3-liter V6 model that can make even more at 298 horsepower. For now, Volkswagen is yet to release the torque figures for the Amarok, and yes, the V6 variants are gasoline-powered. 

Available transmissions for the Amarok include a 10-speed automatic gearbox, a six-speed manual, or a five-speed manual. This again depends on the market. 

Other mechanical features to note about the Amarok is a 3,500 kg towing capacity, six drive modes, and an electronic parking brake. 

Pricing 

Volkswagen is yet to release the pricing details for the all-new Amarok. We do know though, that it will be released in several different variants. There’s the base model, the Amarok Life, Amarok Style, Amarok PanAmericana, and the Amarok Aventura. 

Would you like to see the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok compete against the likes of the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Strada, and Nissan Navara in the local market? 

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