VW Amarok W600 is a Walkinshaw-built Australian market special. It gains 20-inch wheels, fender flares, and a redesigned bumper. A bespoke suspension replaces the stock off-road setup entirely. Update: Following an official preview earlier this year, Walkinshaw has fully unveiled the new VW Amarok W600 in Australia, so this story has been updated with new photos and information about the truck. While most automakers offer rugged variants of their midsize trucks with various extent of modifications, Volkswagen is one of the few exploring a different direction. The new Amarok W600, developed for the Australian market in collaboration with local engineering firm Walkinshaw Performance, focuses on on-road handling and sporty appeal instead of chasing rock-crawling or dune-bashing capability. More: VW’s “All-Black” Amarok Can Be Had In Blue And Grey For Those Who Missed The Point The W600 continues the bloodline of the previous-gen W580 with a number of styling and chassis upgrades. The truck was originally announced in November 2024 followed by a preview in January 2026. Fast forward to June 2026 and the new W600 has been unveiled, ahead of a market launch in August. What’s Changed? The beefed-up version of the Amarok is distinguished by the custom front bumper featuring a honeycomb grille with LED strip, sportier intakes and a unique design for the skid plate. The new face is combined with fender extensions and a set of 20-inch alloy wheels shod in Michelin performance tires. There is also a body-colored sports bar, electrically deployable side steps, distinct model badging and dual tailpipes promising a deeper sound. Inside, Walkinshaw branding appears on the headrests and floor mats, joined by a set of aluminum pedals that hint at the truck’s tuned character. Equipment also includes leather upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio, wireless charging, the familiar 12-inch infotainment display, and an optional electric roller cover for the rear bed. Built to Corner, Not Crawl Arguably the most important change lies beneath the surface. The W600 gains a custom suspension system developed with input from Koni, including a new rear anti-roll bar. Painted blue for easy identification, the new hardware is tuned to deliver more precise handling and a smoother ride, without undermining the Amarok’s ladder-frame foundation or its baseline off-road ability. What About Performance? Despite the sportier chassis setup, there are no modification under the hood. The truck retains the standard 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel, rated at 247 hp (184 kW / 250 PS) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque. Speaking to CarSales, VW Commercial Australia boss Nathan Johnson addressed the engine choice, adding that the higher-output V6 from the Raptor was simply “not available” for Amarok use. More: I Drove The Ranger Lobo Ford Should’ve Built For America Still, Michael Cenci, product manager of VW Commercial Vehicles Australia hinted at potential performance upgrades. As reported by CarExpert, Cenci said during the launch of the W600: “Obviously, Walkinshaw are our performance brand and they’re known for performance, and in the past have tuned various engines in the HSV days. So yeah, we’re always exploring opportunities to go down that road, but there’s nothing that we’re in a position to… confirm at the moment.” Will They Make A Rugged Amarok? The discontinued VW Amarok W580X based on the previous generation. If a sport-tuned Amarok isn’t what you’re after, and last year’s four-cylinder 10 Deserts Edition didn’t catch your eye, there may still be reason to watch this space. Earlier this year, Michael Cenci, product manager for the Amarok in Australia, told local outlet Drive that a more off-road-focused version hasn’t been ruled out. More: Ford’s Toughest Ranger SUV Gets A Gasoline V6, But You’ll Need A Passport To Get One While Cenci stressed that the W600 was the current priority, he acknowledged that an off-road derivative is “never off the table.” A future Amarok W600X could eventually take the place of the now-retired W580X, likely bringing tougher styling and a taller ride height to the new generation. Pricing and Availability Volkswagen Australia has yet to confirm the pricing of the new Amarok W600 that will reportedly reach Australian dealers in August 2026. Still, we expect it to be positioned above the flagship Amarok Aventura which currently starts at AU$ 82,990 ($59,445). In earlier talks with local media, Cenci explained that while Walkinshaw specials are exclusively available for customers in Australia and New Zealand, they would be “kind of crazy not to explore that further”, hinting at the prospect of wider rollout in the future. For now, the rest of the world can rely on tuners like Delta 4×4, which outfits the VW truck with wide fender flares, a lift kit, and new wheels wrapped in mud-terrain tires. Walkinshaw
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