Four-wheel drivers love talking power and torque figures, and there will be one vehicle hot on the lips over the coming years: The Volkswagen Amarok V6. In addition to their 2.0 litre twin-turbocharged engine, 2017 will see a 3.0 litre V6 oiler being shoehorned into the new model’s bonnet. How many ponies? 165kW, and 550Nm. Pending new vehicle releases before then, this will peg it as the most powerful 4X4 ute on the market. So, it has an extra 130Nm over the current offerings. But like the Tdi400, what we like is where it’s available: 100% of that 550Nm available at just 1,500rpm: just the ticket for off-road and towing work.
Combined with the impressive 8-speed auto gearbox, Volkswagen Amarok V6 can get a measly 7.6 litres per hundred kilometres (combined), which we think is very impressive, considering the power that’s available. It has a compacted vermicular graphite cast iron block (strong like cast iron, but lighter), cast alloy head, and is fed compressed air via a single, variable nozzle turbocharger. It’s an engine originally developed by Audi, who is part of VAG (Volkswagen Auto Group). It has been used in a variety of models, including Audi’s flagship A8 saloon, and more recently, Volkswagen’s Touareg SUV.
It will come with a similar array of drive styles as the current Amarok: full-time 4X4 is available through the automatic eight-speed automatic (with a Torsen centre diff), and part-time 4X4 available with a manual gearbox.
Another boon for the top-spec Amarok is in the brakes. Finally, someone isn’t cutting corners and are fitting discs on the the rear axle. You’ll have bigger wheels to accommodate the 17″ front discs as well, so braking power won’t be a problem.
We are really excited to test this new unit out, so stay tuned for a first drive.
39 comments
The alternator is way too low and you will have the same problems as the landcruser V8.
This is great news and a step in the right direction. To have the complete package the ute needs a Gross Combined Mass of 6800kg (not 6000kg). If this becomes a spec then it will totally dominate the market. It’s what everyone is screaming for!
This is fantastic news and a positive step in the right direction. Now if we can have this ute with a 6800kg GCM (and not the restrictive current GCM of 6000kg) then it will totally dominate the market. It’s what everyone is screaming for!
Are they or any other dual can ute makers going to consider a 6 seater? I want more choice of vehicles Han 7 seater suv’s for my 6 member family! Love the VW!
With the new V6 and auto gearbox will there be a single cab ute, in either cab chassis or tub? It would then appeal to more buyers to be used as a work vehicle. GCM higher than 6000kg definitely needed.
Knowing VW it will be way overpriced.
Nice to see somebody pushing the limit, but i struggle to believe it will be a reasonable price. Biggest prtoblem is The 20 inch wheels and massive disc will ruin it offroad. Add to that no low range on the auto, which many hate. Think This will sell well only to cashed up inner city tradies and architect’s.
I do love VW, having owned 7 over the years…… and this move to implant the V6 into the Amarok is a good one considering the numbers squeezed out of that poor little two litre diesel to deliver a reasonable tow rating …. However: As a full time caravaner spending much time in remote parts of Australia, I worry about the accessibility to service, parts and repairs, reliability issues due to over reliance on technology and of course Purchase Price. I think I would have a yarn with independent diesel mechanics in remote towns before making any decision about this one. Smells like a Land Rover…. Perfect for those in easy towing distance to a dealership.
Sounds like an ideal vehicle for the greay nomad with some dirt excursions but general wanting and needing great towing capacity and the all important GVM being a reasonable figure for a 21″ van with weight of 3000kg +/- 300Kg. Price will be the killer if it is in the Landcruiser price range.
Nice to see VW just copying Nissan but with a newer version of the engine.
There is nothing wrong with the Amarok off-road. Anyone who thinks the 8 speed box is not the same as low range is kidding themselves. I have one and have never found it lacking. If anything, the electronic aids make traversing tough terrain even easier than a fully locked 4×4. The Japanese manufacturers will catch on one day…
Most of my off-road is forestry trails with rock and wet mud, and my ROK is far superior then the ford ranger I had. The only letdown is clearance, but never a huge issue.
At last a reasonable size motor in a 4WD. Someone has finally got it right. Wake up other car companies before it’s too late! KRB WA.
17″ front discs! What size wheel? What off road types will fit? Tried getting good off road tyres for a 19″ rim?
Maybe it’s not aimed at the off road crowd at all.
Have poked my head into the amarok and cannot touch it as the rear seat is held down with a couple of elastic straps. If you were to roll this vehicle in any guise with kids in the back I would hate to see the end result. Really 70 grand and no latch, almost as good as Toyota Land Cruiser 90 grand and the back seat can’t have $10 worth of cup holders.
Will it be here in time for the mr4x4 2017 giveaway?
As mentioned in earlier posts, could be a great all round vehicle. It must be capable of towing 3500 kilograms, and have a decent tub capacity, not this crap at the moment with currant utes. It would be great if was available with a chassis option in the high end spec.
Had an Amorok for 3 years and had to be towed 3 times back to dealer , hope the V6 is more reliable .
I had a Amorok for three years, did over 100,000klms before lease renewal (company car).. towed up to limit work-wise.. towed the boat every other weekend.. didn’t miss a beat. I will be buying one!!
I don’t care if they trippled the power and torque I still would not buy it because it’s a VW and because I’m a mechanic… Enough said.
Please tell me this comes with rear curtain airbags? My kids safety is more important than VW’s torque and power figures.
I think John Mikulic is right, that alternator looks too low unless it is somehow waterproofed!
Manual option? Would rather change my own cogs. Without a manual I’ll be passing on this unfortunately
This things has got nothing on my Go Go mobile ! G O G G O !
I have a 1995 80 series petrol landcruiser that has done 560 000 klm ,gearbox untouched, cv joints replaced once, clutch replaced once, has been all over aus. and thrashed every inch of the way lets see your amorok in twenty years bet it wont even be still moving.
Still can’t beat the Nissan d40 V6 turbo diesel.
170kW and 550nm. absolutely brilliant to drive and to tow with.
As ‘Lego’ mentioned in a previous comment, I’m waiting to see if the new model Amarok has curtain airbags to provide added protection for the kids in the back seat before I put it on my short list…. The model I’m REALLY hanging out for is the new D-Max slated for the last quarter of this year 🙂
Bigger wheels and brakes?
Bigger wheels as long as the tyres are not some stupid low profile size,which will be hopeless of road
This sounds great , with more power ! Will VW bring the ” Variant ” ( wagon ) to Australia ?
Cam chains at rear should be noted. Donk out to change $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Wheel size could be a problem with off road tyres. !8’s are bad enough.
When will they release the GVM and GCM they also should be better than others in their class then ?
Wouldn’t it be great if every time a manufacturer offered a bigger ute with more power etc we actually got a bigger payload, not the opposite ?
After looking at the specs I now realise the wheels are 20″ minimum to fit the bigger font rotors (discs).
So Pat, which All Terrain or Mud tyres do you recommend. They will also need to be low profile. Maybe also be hard to air down with damaging rims and tyres. This car is only of use to a cashed up tradie who sticks to the tar and smooth fire trails.
Nice try VW but you’ve missed the point, again.
Clearly, it is not for true off-roaders. Paraphrasing “4WD Guy”, this new VW will be the perfect machine for tarred, not-excesssively-wet fire trails. However, for the real ones, let me suggest that it might be enhanced (as an option?) with the EHC4WDE (“Electronic, Hard-Core Four-Wheel-Driving Enjoyment, Module”) cask, to please those inclined to electronics and risky Virtual-Reality 4WDriving adventures…
Response to Brian’s comment: If you need to tow 2.5 tonnes or more you will have to get a heavier tow vehicle as the load will write you off on our uneven roads. For example = A long wheel base F350 with a 5th wheel set up might be a better choice or just a 5+ tonne truck. The tow vehicle needs weight on the drive wheels to grip , the see-saw symptoms a rear mounted tow bar causes on a lighter vehicle can direct the towing vehicle into a wrong direction. The heavier the load the higher number of tyres needed on the rear of the tow vehicle to hold the load from twitching into a sideway direction. Better with dual wheels than wide singles on the drive.
Remember : The towing vehicle drive axle, or rear axle of a front wheel drive has to have ideally = to 1/3 of the tow weight (or greater) for stability and grip. Working trailer electric breaks are awesome in preventing jack-knifing. Tow balls/hitches have to be close as possible to the last axle on the tow vehicle for a better steering control of both the tow vehicle and the trailer at speed, no long neck goose necks. I hope the above saves a few lives on our roads as you probably won’t learn this from your car driving school. Check your class of licence for max GCM you can drive before hiring trucks. Please note a 2 tonner with Pantech and hydraulic rear loader maxes out with just 1.4 tonne cargo due to body weight and steel lifter weight.
What decent size off road wheels and tyres can be fitted if it has such huge disc brakes front and back ??
You do all realise the main market of 4wd utes are traidies. Like my self. Who need to tow loads. And want good feul economy for the large amout of kms we do. The extra power will be fantastic. This is the target of all utes. The main market share. Not the minority saying the wheels are to big to go through a mud pit. It it can drag the car off a wet job site. Job done. I have and amarok now. 5 years and 150,000km without a problem. The new v6 sound awesome
Until they come up with a truck as good as 06/07 GMC Sierra 4×4 extra cab Duramax 6.6 LT with 6 speed Alison auto witch can tow more than 6000kgs and only use 16.5 LT per hundred klms in comfort, we will be keeping ours.
Love my rock the new one will be even better This will make it the best ute on the market
My reading of the article was that the big brakes are only on the top spec model. Meaning the other models will have 17 inch wheels.
So equipped it could be a great bush tourer.