Walkinshaw-tuned VW returns

A motoring giant has thrown down the gauntlet to Ford’s beloved Ranger Raptor with a wild new version of its own super popular pick-up.

The dual cab ute arms race welcomes back a high performance player in 2026, as Volkswagen’s Walkinshaw-enhanced hardcore Amarok returns.

This halo “W-Series” one-tonner will come with performance and handling upgrades, boosting the Amarok’s already muscly 184kW and 600Nm from its 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel.

Unless, that is, Walkinshaw chooses the 222kW/452Nm 2.3L turbocharged petrol four-cylinder in the Amarok range as an intriguing alternative.

For now, Volkswagen’s keeping the powertrain – and pricing – under wraps.

RELATED: Did RAM utes just go woke?

Volkswagen has teased the return of a Walkinshaw-tuned Amarok. Picture: Supplied

Sadly, the brand ruled out the Ford Ranger Raptor’s fire-breathing 292kW/583Nm twin-turbo 3.0L V6 petrol for this new Walkinshaw edition, despite the VW Amarok being the Ranger’s twin-under-the-skin

Instead, we’re promised by racing and tuning giant Walkinshaw Group’s boss, Ryan Walkinshaw, that the new Amarok W-Series will have “next level design, performance and handling.”

That means it must outdo the original Walkinshaw-fettled Amarok W580 introduced in 2020, which offered 200kW and 580Nm as well as uprated suspension, wheels, tyres, exhaust and styling.

MORE: Green utes the new battleground for China

The new model will be based on the VW Amarok introduced in 2023.

A W580S, W580SE and off-road focused W580X followed, with the partnership selling over 2600 examples before the new generation Amarok launched in 2023.

Volkswagen was tight-lipped about the new W-Series’ numbers, or which engine will be used. But Volkswagen Australia’s Daniel DeGasperi said they “want to take the Walkinshaw concept to the next level with this second generation (Amarok),” and the new model “will be a step up.”

Only a single shadowy teaser image was shown and no final name given (as it would likely give away the torque number), and from launch it’ll be a road-focused GT ute, not an off-road hero.

MORE: Car giant stops US exports

Volkswagen previously offered the Amarok W580X.

But much like the previous Amarok W-Series utes, there’s scope for other models due to their popularity with Aussie buyers, including an ‘X’ rugged off-roader.

The Melbourne-based Walkinshaw team already have such a vehicle in our market after co-developing the D-Max Blade with Isuzu.

Judging by the W-Series image, we can expect wider and more muscled wheel arches, sports bar, larger dark alloys with performance Pirelli Scorpion tyres, revised bumper and unique grille.

The changes will be performed at Walkinshaw’s expansive facility in Melbourne, after the Amarok’s have landed from South Africa.

2020 Volkswagen Amarok W580.

It’s unknown if there’ll be a limited number produced, or if these Walkinshaw specials will become part of the permanent range.

Pricing we can only guess at, but they won’t be cheap and are likely to challenge the Ranger Raptor’s $90,440 asking price.

The previous generation Amarok W580SE was $86,990 before on-roads, costing even more than the Ranger Raptor at that time.

The hardcore Amarok is part of what’s become Volkswagen’s largest ever range of commercial vehicles sold in Australia.

The Kombi-inspired ID Buzz Cargo electric people mover and van join the updated Caddy small van/people mover; new seventh generation Multivan, Crafter large van, new Caravelle large people mover and, later this year, a new Transporter medium van.

The Ford Ranger Raptor could have some tough new competition. Picture: Supplied

Some of the most interesting include a $168,990 luxury-packed Crafter Kampervan; a rear-tented Caddy California camper, and by 2026, plug-in and full electric versions of the Transporter.

Nadia Bucholtz, Volkswagen Australia’s commercial vehicles manager, said greater choice, including from powertrains, showed the brand’s commitment to local customers.

“The addition of BEV and PHEV variants to the range serves to further expand our product offering, particularly as our customers look to ways to minimise their emissions, maximise drive comfort and reduce running costs,” she said.

Originally published as Walkinshaw-tuned VW returns