Volkswagen’s new Amarok ute family offers something for everyone.
The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel models come in an off-road focused Pan Americana specification from $88,000 and the on-road focused Aventura specification is priced from $90,000.
But the V6 models will account for only 50% of annual sales according to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles New Zealand as it introduces two new four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbodiesels to the line-up.
The entry-level Life variant focused on the tool of trade fleet market will retail from $65,000 and the Amarok Style tailored more towards user-choosers will retail from $75,000.
All four Amaroks can tow 3500kg braked trailers, and have an 800mm wading depth, a differential lock, a five-star NCAP safety rating, and all come with the full range of five-star ANCAP rated safety features including nine airbags.
To help with towing, all four have an adjustable blindspot system which can be programmed to take account of the length of the trailer attached to the vehicle.
More than 7700 of the previous generation Amarok were sold in New Zealand since the model arrived here in 2010.
So, 13 years later, does the new generation live up to customer expectations?
AMAROK LIFE
Although Volkswagen NZ believes the new Amarok Life will account for only 16% of total sales, its arrival gives the brand an opportunity to speak to a broader market, particularly fleets.
I think there will also be a few tradespeople who will look at the safety attributes and the value of standard equipment offered by the Life and choose it over Japanese competitors.
The Life is well specified as a fit-for-purpose workhorse, with a full range of active and passive safety features, including traffic sign recognition, radar cruise control, and lane keep assist.
It also comes with LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and LED foglights, reversing camera, rain sensing wipers and auto headlight function, power adjustable and heated folding side mirrors, privacy glass, a light in the cargo tray, tie-down hooks, and front and rear fitted mudflaps.
Except for the folding vinyl tonneau cover for the rear cargo bed and a removable tow ball and tongue, our Life review vehicle in Agate Black with 17-inch Cobra alloys pictured here was completely standard.
For me the simple and uncluttered look of the Life with its all-black exterior, clean lines, and attractive alloy wheels was a winner, and I think there will many buyers who appreciate its practically.
Inside the cabin the manually adjustable front seats are upholstered in a comfortable yet no doubt hard wearing grey cloth upholstery.
There’s a leather clad steering wheel, front and rear floormats, dual zone air-conditioning, six-speakers for the audio system, wireless mobile charging and app-connect with mirror link for Apple Car Play and Android Auto.
Also, it comes with a conventional gearshift, rather than the electronic set-up of its more expensive siblings, and even an old-fashioned ignition key, which is a novelty in a $65,000 vehicle.
In spite of being the least powerful of the four models, the Life offers plenty of responsiveness from its single turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine thanks to its fairly slick-changing conventional six-speed automatic.
On the road, it’s also one of the most refined tool-of-trade vehicles which reflects the four years of development work in Australia.
More than 20 Volkswagen engineers were seconded to Geelong to ensure it was infused with the brand’s DNA.
Part of this DNA includes four-wheel disc brakes, the ability to carry a Euro-sized pallet between the tray’s wheelarches, and locating the rear leaf springs outside the chassis rails.
Volkswagen tuned the suspension to have a distinctly comfortable ride but not at the loss of handling or capability.
And this was matched by the engine software being cadenced in a manner that was familiar to owners of older Amaroks.
I drove the old four-cylinder Amarok utes in their heyday, and the Life more than measures up as a modern replacement.
AMAROK STYLE
The next cab off the rank in the Amarok range is the $75,000 Style which is fitted with a twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine and the 10-speed automatic.
VW, believes it will account for 33% of annual Amarok sales.
The Style variant is tailored more towards user-choosers and small business owners looking for a functional yet well-appointed vehicle for commercial and personal use.
The $10,000 price differential from the Life brings cosmetic and utility enhancements like side steps, rear tray mounted chrome sports bar, chromed rear bumper cappings, chromed side mirror cappings, chromed door handles and lower window trim, and satin-finish radiator grille bars and lower front bumper valance.
Completing the Style’s more blinged-up appearance are the 18-inch Amadora alloy wheels in a machined chrome and black finish. It also comes with a tub liner fitted as standard.
The Volkswagen external design cues are clearly highlighted by the Style, from the squared off wheelarches to the X-shaped front grille, and the C-shape lights front and rear. The C-shape theme continues into the interior.
Inside, the newly designed front seats were created with specific Volkswagen foam. The indicator and wiper stalks remain on the European side of the multifunction steering wheel.
And the stitched leather-look dashboard and textured toggle buttons on the central console beneath the large 12-inch centre digital cluster complete the VW-ness of the interior.
The Style ups the ante on the Life with Art Velour upholstery, factory-fitted navigation, a 10-way powered adjustable driver’s seat, and heating for both front seat occupants.
On the road the additional power and torque of the twin turbo engine in the Style benefit from the extra cogs in the 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s a responsive performer from standstill, but will cruise quietly on the open road, feeling equally as comfortable and well planted as its less powerful sibling.
In conclusion, both four-cylinder Amaroks are well equipped and capable vehicles, and for some buyers the $10,000 premium of the Style will be more than worth it for more power and more specification.
Others (myself included) will be more than happy with the value package offered by the Life.
