Volkswagen Amarok – Review

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volkswagen amarok side

By Liam Bird

Big, isn’t it? If only I’d had a fiver every time I heard that one during my time with the Volkswagen Amarok. Who knows, I might just have made enough money to have not had to send it back.

VW Amarok frontThere’s no denying, that with its bluff styling, huge squared-off panels and grille, and its Audi Quattro-on-steroids wheel arches, the Volkswagen Amarok is somewhat imposing. Let’s face it, you’re never going to lose a car-park standoff in one of these. But, the truth is VW’s first foray into the fiercely fought-out four-wheel drive pick-up market, is actually not that much bigger than its competitors; by which I mean the likes of Nissan’s Navara, Toyota’s Hi-Lux, Ford’s perennial Ranger, the Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi’s L200… and all of the other stuff you usually see in the builders’ yards, agricultural establishments, and behind the scenes at fairgrounds, boatyards and garden centres up and down the country.

Nevertheless, the Amorak is one of the largest pick-ups you can buy.

“It could pull houses down”

Only available in the UK as a five-seater double-cab, it packs one of the widest load-beds available: You can load a euro-pallet weighing up to a tonne in width-ways and still have room to spare, plus, the lashing eyes and grippy coating applied to the rear floor, truck sides and tailgate mean that once strapped down it should stay safely where you put it. Also, while we’re on the subject of load-lugging, I’d better mention that the Amorak can tow three tonnes and comes equipped with trailer assist to keep things on the straight and narrow, plus a reversing camera – as per the test car’s Ulitmate spec at least – to help make coupling-up a doddle too. It’s four-wheel drive as well.

VW Amarok interiorWhat, perhaps, surprisingly isn’t quite so large about the Amarok is its engine. If you were expecting the next line to say something like “and under that huge square bonnet you’ll find an equally gargantuan multi-cylinder, multi-litre powerhouse” think again. What you’ll find instead under that large lid is a four-cylinder diesel displacing just 1,968cc. To say this engine punches above its weight is both a cliché (sorry!) and an understatement. These days 177bhp isn’t really the kind of stuff you write home about, but in Bi-Turbo spec (as tested – there’s a 138bhp single turbo available too) the combination of the 295lbft of torque available from just 2500rpm and six somewhat long-legged gear ratios mean the Amarok feels as though it could pull houses down, and effortlessly cruise at motorway speeds all day long. Seventy mph equates to little more than 1800rpm in sixth.

“The tyres roar”

Should you choose to do the latter, the Amarok also proves to be rather comfortable. Once you’ve hauled yourself up into its lofty seats –from which you can see for miles – you’ll not only find a generous amount of standard equipment: dual zone air-con, electric windows and heated mirrors and, dependent on budget more, but also the same switchgear and near-bomb-proof build quality that are synonymous with Volkswagen. Honestly, I’ve driven Golfs that weren’t as well appointed as the range-topping Amarok Ultimate VW’s lovely press fleet co-ordinator was kind enough to lend me.

volkswagen amarok rearOK, so the leaf sprung rear does mean that there’s more bounce on a B-road. The barn-door aerodynamics contribute to a fair degree of wind-noise at speed. The tyres roar and that engine can sound somewhat industrial when overtaking. Something I might add that’s best planned well in advance.

“I can see the appeal”

There’s also one other thing. If you’re reading this thinking: “Hmm a big chunky pick-up truck, that would do me nicely”, just ask yourself this:  Where, unless you peruse the options list for a cover for that load-bed, are you meant to put the suitcases if the Amorok is your only vehicle and you choose to use it for five-up family airport run?

Ultimately, despite its home comforts, and what Bob the local builder might tell you, the Amorak is a working tool first-and-foremost. And a family car a somewhat distant second.

That said, I can see the appeal. If ever there was a vehicle that blurred the lines between the two better than any other, surely the Amarok is it.

Volkswagen Amarok Ultimate 2.0 BiTDI 4MOTION Selectable 180PS
Engine: 1,968cc 4Cyl 16V Bi-turbo Diesel
Transmission: 6 speed Manual, Four wheel drive
Power:  177.5 bhp @ 4000 rpm
Torque: 295 lbft @ 1500 – 2000rpm
0-62MPH: 11.0 Sec
Max Speed: 110 mph
CO2: 211 g/km
MPG: 35.3 combined
Price: from £29,555 + VAT

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