2021 Volkswagen Amarok W580 review: New ute muscles up

A legendary Aussie company that was responsible for making fast Holdens has tried its hand at improving this popular dual-cab ute.

Walkinshaw made its name building hot Holdens, but with the Lion brand leaving our shores in 2020 the company has now tried its hand at improving Australia’s favourite type of vehicle.

Here are five things you need to know about the Volkswagen Amarok W580.

2021 Volkswagen Amarok W580.

Introducing the Boganwagen

When Holden shut its doors and the last HSV Maloo utes rolled off the production line, they left a gap in the new-car market that has since been filled by expensive, American-style pick-up trucks. Ford was the first to pounce with its tough-as-nails Raptor and others have quickly followed. Nissan has the Warrior, Toyota the Rogue and Rugged X and now Volkswagen has the W580 Amarok. That W stands for Walkinshaw Automotive, the group that once built the Maloo and a range of V8-powered performance sedans. Fittingly, the W580 is the most powerful one-tonne ute on the market, although the Walkinshaw model doesn’t get any more grunt than the current V6 Amarok.

It’s predominantly a styling exercise

Looks are everything in the ute market and the Walkinshaw stands out from the crowd with stripes and logos on the doors and tailgate, a unique grille in menacing black and five-spoke black wheels that look like they fell off the back of a V8 Supercar transporter. The wheel arches have been extended to fit in the wider wheels and they give the ute a more planted, masculine look. On the more expensive W580S model, Walkinshaw adds side exhaust pipes, racing stripes on the bonnet and doors, a sail plane on top of the tub and a slightly different bumper.

Walkinshaw has beefed up the Amarok.

It’s not all for show, though

Walkinshaw is predominantly a design and engineering outfit and Volkswagen has allowed them to tinker with the suspension and tyres on the W580. The springs are the same as the donor vehicle, but it sits wider and higher on the road. Twin-tube dampers and fat Pirelli tyres improve cornering grip and control, as well as providing better steering feel. Utes are typically pigs to drive, but the W580 is predictable and secure through the corners, without ever feeling nimble. The suspension re-work focused on bitumen manners, in contrast to Ford’s Raptor, which is excellent off-road but a handful on the black stuff, especially in the wet. Disc brakes all around and permanent all-wheel drive add to the Amarok’s credentials.

The interior feels a bit dated.

There’s more grunt than you need

Enthusiasts – and HSV fans – will be disappointed that no work has been done under the bonnet, but the tight budget for this limited run of 1000 vehicles didn’t stretch to costly engine modifications. Of all the one-tonne utes, the Amarok is the least in need of a performance boost. The V6 turbo-diesel – once found under the bonnet of prestige SUVs including the Porsche Cayenne – puts out a healthy 190kW of power (200kW on overboost) and 580Nm of torque. Testing suggests it’s a second or two quicker to 100km/h than its rivals, helped by a slick shifting eight-speed auto. It doesn’t sound great, though. Those twin exhaust pipes don’t add to the sound and the telltale diesel rattle is particularly noticeable around town.

The Amarok W580S’s price is extreme.

The price will make you gulp

The W580 starts from $71,990 plus on-roads, while the better equipped W580S, with Vienna leather seats and satnav, starts from $79,990 plus on-roads. Driving enthusiasts might prefer the similarly priced BMW 330i. The price would be easier to swallow if the cabin and tech on board the W580 wasn’t so dated. The centre screen is small and there’s no automated emergency braking, blind-spot warning or radar cruise control, available on cheaper rival utes. While we’re complaining, the back seats are a little cramped and uncomfortable and don’t have airbag protection. To avoid disappointment, shop it against other overpriced utes.

Originally published as 2021 Volkswagen Amarok W580 review: New ute muscles up