The long-awaited second-generation VW Amarok was finally revealed to the public yesterday, dropping a bombshell of new information about what we can expect from the bakkie when it goes on sale in South Africa in 2023.
A press event hosted by VW South Africa provided an opportunity to find out even more about what the Amarok is capable of, and what plans VW has in store for the vehicle.
Next-gen off-roader
The global unveiling confirmed many details regarding the new VW bakkie, such as the five different drivetrains and trim levels it would be produced with.
In addition, the event yesterday gave the manufacturer a chance to confirm what features South Africans can expect from the local derivatives when they arrive in the country in the first quarter of 2023.
The Amarok in South Africa will receive the 10-speed iteration of the automatic transmission, and rims will range from 16-inch steel versions for the base-model Amarok up to 21-inch alloys for the top-spec Aventura and PanAmericana.
Currently, only double-cab versions of the Amarok will be produced for the domestic market, however, VW said it was investigating the matter and that a single-cab model was not off the table at the moment.
Additionally, it was explained that VW and Ford partnered to develop the new Amarok and Ranger bakkies and that the two companies were also co-developing both electric vehicle (EV) and autonomous driving technology.
Therefore, the architecture of the new Amarok was designed with EV underpinnings in mind, and while there are no plans to produce an electric version of the car for the foreseeable future, the groundwork is there for an electric variant to one day make an appearance, said VW.
More details were shared regarding how the car will function off-road, such as its various driving modes.
The South African version of the Amarok will have a part-time 4Motion system, in contrast to the full-time system found on the old model.
This means owners will have a choice of whether to drive in rear-wheel or four-wheel-drive mode, and this is complemented by a number of different driving modes.
Five driving modes will be available – Normal, Eco, Dirt, Sand, and Snow – and selecting one of these modes will adjust various aspects of the vehicle to suit the terrain at hand.
The off-road driving modes will disable several of the bakkie’s driving aids and will automatically put the car into 4×4 mode, said VW. Crucially, selecting an off-road mode will also engage a low-range gear ratio – a new tool in the Amarok’s belt, as the previous iteration notably did not offer a low-range gearbox.
This functionality will be available on all trim levels, however the entry-level model will only be available with rear-wheel drive, confirmed the company.
Advanced interior
VW also provided a host of details on its 4×4’s interior and what it will offer local buyers.
The South African versions of the Amarok will be fitted with either a 10 or 12-inch infotainment display, depending on the trim level, and the top-of-the-line models will feature an all-leather upholstery.
All variations will come with a multifunction steering wheel and all-digital cockpit, and the driver’s seat will be electronically adjustable in 10 different directions.
Ambient lighting has been added, too, and the centre console will include an inductive mobile charging station.
Ports have also been fitted to the top of the dashboard to make it easier to attach a GoPro camera – a feature added based on customer feedback, according to VW.
Similarly, physical buttons with haptic feedback were added based on testing and consumer experience, as it can be difficult to operate the touchscreen when driving over rough terrain, said the company.
Regarding driver aids, the new bakkie will ship with a large number of assist features including:
- Park assist
- Lane assist
- Trailer assist
- Rear traffic alert
- Lane change assist
- Blind spot detection
- Dynamic headlights
- Side assist for towing
- Area view monitoring
- Intelligent speed assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Dynamic road sign safety
- Front and rear park distance control
- Collision detection and automatic braking
Most of these features were unavailable on the old Amarok, but can now be had as standard or for an additional cost, depending on the chosen model.
The base-model Amarok was described as a “workhorse” designed for commercial use, so it’s likely that most of these assist functions will be added starting from the mid-range Life and Style models onwards.
When it will launch
The VW Amarok will see a staggered global launch in 2023, with the first models being shipped to primary markets in January, and the final markets seeing delivery of their first bakkies in April, according to VW.
South Africa, Australia, and Europe are the three main target markets for the new car, so it is possible we could be seeing the Amarok in showrooms early into the new year.
Pricing of the Amarok will also be revealed closer to the launch in November, said the company.
VW Amarok
Keyword: New VW Amarok – More South African specifications revealed