New VW Amarok dressed for success

The word Amarok has several meanings.

According to some websites, Amarok means “arctic wolf” in the Inuit language, and is considered by the Eskimos from northern Canada and Greenland as the king of the wild.

While some say in the Romanic language Amarok means “he loves stones”, but Top Revs can add that “he loves the Namib sand dunes as well”.

However, in motoring, VW Amarok is associated with adventure, durability and capability. The new Amarok boasts many cosmetic changes and a more powerful engine.

Literally, one can say the new Amarok is dressed for success from head to toe.

Available in various models and engine sizes, the VW bakkie caters for the construction sector, the adventurer through to the company executive.

The VW Amarok’s generation is available from the 2,0L four-cylinder six-speed manual to the more powerful Ventura 3,0L V6 10-speed (shift by wire) gearbox.

The latter also comes with 4Motion – selectable four-wheel drive (inclusive of fulltime four wheel ) with a low-range transfer case, 2H, 4A, 4H and 4L.

The ground clearance of 235mm and a wading depth of 800mm makes it the ideal vehicle for handling almost any off-road conditions.

The 10-speed autobox is so smooth that when driving in the thick Namib sand well-known rally and race driver, Richard Slamet, light-heartedly said one cannot feel when the vehicle is going through its gears.

It is like one long gear.

Only by looking at the rev-counter, will one see that the vehicle is selecting its own gears through the obstacles.

The vehicle’s capabilities out-surprised Top Revs, as we mostly drove in loose thick Namib sand, and the vehicle handled very well.

“This Amarok has no respect for the Namib sand,” Slamet said after driving on the dunes without deflating the tyres. (There are dedicated areas between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay reserved for controlled 4×4’ing).

The engine delivers enough power to ensure a comfortable drive without lacking any engine support.

With output ranging from 125kW@3 250rpm to 184@3 750rpm between the various models, the vehicle will deliver to expectations.

Is the vehicle capable of handling any driving conditions with enough power under the bonnet? Yes, as the torque range is from 405 Nm at 1 750-2 500rpm while the top -of-the-range model delivers 600Nm at 1 750-2 250rpm. I guess this is where the petrol heads will say “nuff said about the performance”.

All the models’ top speed is indicated at 180 kph.

The 2,0L 10-speed Amarok reaches over 170kph in a very short time and Top Revs can testify to that.

Even at that speed, the cabin’s road and wind noise were exceptionally quiet inside and we could talk about the vehicle’s specs.

The combined fuel consumption between the various models ranges from 6,9l/100km (Amarok Life 2.0TDi) to 8.,4l/100km (Aventura.)

All models are fitted with an 80-litre fuel tank.

The Amarok does not lack in safety, with features like the driver and passenger airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags and driver one airbag, and three-point height adjustable safety belts are just but a few to protect the driver and his passengers in case of a collision.

Rear and front park assist control, fixed rear-view camera, front and rear fog lights, daytime running light, child-proof rear door locks are only a few of the many safety specs.

The basic “workhorse vehicle” comes standard with tie down rails next to the load box quite sizeable for either the handy-man or even the average family ensuring here is more than enough space for the recreational family trips.
When it comes to guarantee, warrantees and service intervals, any Amarok owner can be assured that his or her back is covered.

The VW Amarok comes with a four-year 120 000 km manufacturer warranty, five-year/100 000km genuine easy drive maintenance plan, 15 000km service intervals and six-year anti-cordon warranty.