Volkswagen Amarok receives new off-road pack
Aussies love venturing off the beaten track and this brand has responded by creating a more capable version of its 4WD workhorse.
On the Road
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Volkswagen has added a heavy-duty off-road kit to its Amarok range.
The kit lifts the ride height of the Amarok by 40mm, providing a more rugged look and keeping key components further away from a strike with rocks or dirt.
The raised suspension includes new dampers and springs front and rear, as well as additional underbody protection.
Developed in conjunction with ARB, the new suspension set-up costs $3815. The underbody protection adds another $1660.
There’s also a $1180 snorkel on the V6 diesel engine that shields the air intake from dust and water.
Volkswagen expects one in ten buyers to tick a box for at least some of the new off-road gear.
The taller stance from the higher suspension gives the ute a more rugged appearance, but many will want to pair it with chunkier rubber to enhance the look.
The suspension set-up has been locally tuned to ensure that the Amarok retains its solid driving manners.
The higher ride height makes it more susceptible to leaning through the bends but excellent body control counters that tendency and well weighted steering adds further confidence.
The higher ride height allows you to amble over rocks and logs that little bit easier and the belly is less likely to bottom out when faced with deep grooves in a track.
The additional suspension travel also gives the wheels a better chance of staying in contact with the ground, making it easier for the traction control to deal with slippery conditions.
And while the ride feels a tad firmer when cruising on bitumen there’s better control over larger bumps and rough surfaces.
It’s also nicely controlled, quickly calming body movements after a big undulation.
While the regular Amarok is already decently protected underneath, more metal increases confidence if you do cop a hit underneath.
Volkswagen is also offering a range of aftermarket accessories to capitalise on the fact that most ute buyers spend thousands of dollars customising their utes after they buy them.
Accessories include bike racks, roof storage units and rooftop tent packages.
The rest of the Amarok package, which shares its DNA with the Ford Ranger, is unchanged.
There are plusher front seats and unique finishes – including soft material across the dash – which provide enough differentiation from the Ranger inside.
There are also minor feature updates, including the fitment of blind-spot warning on the entry level Core and an integrated electronic trailer brake controller across the range.
Drive-away pricing has also been sharpened – although not as sharp as the 2023 plate-clearance deals that were being offered in recent months – to better compete with the likes of the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, which dominate ute sales.
The entry-level Core now sells from $57,490 drive-away and includes things most rivals don’t without, such as wireless phone charging, LED headlights, alloy wheels and tyre-pressure sensors.
The price also includes the first five years and 75,000km of servicing, which usually costs $1900.
The volume-selling Style V6 is now $75,740 drive-away and has the same servicing deal.
Volkswagen hasn’t cut the price of the top-shelf PanAmericana and Aventura that make up a quarter of Amarok sales because there are currently more buyers than stock.
Volkswagen Amarok Style V6 with accessories
PRICE From $82,395 drive-away
WARRANTY/SERVICING Five yrs/unlimited km, services included for five yrs
SAFETY Nine airbags, auto emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, driver monitoring, emergency call, speed-sign recognition
ENGINE 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel, 184kW/600Nm
THIRST 8.4L/100km
SPARE Full size
TOWING 3500kg
VERDICT
Four stars
The core of the Amarok is unchanged but there are now some compelling reasons to splash out on off-road accessories at the dealership.
Originally published as Volkswagen Amarok receives new off-road pack