Volkswagen Amarok UK Launch 2011

Volkswagen Amarok UK Launch

Volkswagen has returned to the UK one tonne pick-up in 2011 following an absence of 15 years. It sold the Taro, a rebadged Toyota Hilux, from 1989 to 1996. The Amarok, however, is Volkswagen from the ground up.

From launch it's available as a four-wheel drive double cab with a choice of three specification levels; Startline, Trendline and Highline. There’s a possibility that a single cab option will join the line-up in 2012, but there will be no extended cab version.

Power comes from a choice of two 2.0-litre Euro 5 turbodiesels, derived from the engines found in the current T5 Transporter. The single turbo TDI produces 122hp at 3,750rpm and develops 340Nm of peak torque between 1,750rpm and 2,250rpm. It’s available solely in Startline trim.

Move up to the 163hp (4,000rpm) twin turbo BiTDI and torque rises to 400Nm across a 1,500 – 2,000rpm plateau. It’s available in all three trim levels. All Amaroks come with a six-speed manual transmission and there is no auto or semi-auto option currently on offer.

Official Combined Cycle fuel consumption figures are quoted as 37.2mpg and 35.8mpg for the TDI and BiTDI respectively with CO2 emissions of 199g/km and 209g/km. All models come with an 80-litre fuel tank which will give a range of around 600 miles.

As standard, the engines are lubricated by long-life synthetic oil and service intervals are variable depending on usage. The state of the oil is monitored continually and when the change-time comes, it’s flagged-up in the instrument binnacle. Expect this at a minimum of 9,000 miles or one year, up to a maximum of 25,000 miles or two years. Switch to traditional mineral oil and a service interval of 12,500 miles or one year is recommended.

Drivetrains

Amarok is four-wheel drive — or 4MOTION in VW-speak — but there two distinct systems; selectable and permanent. For the anoraks out there, the former sports a red ‘4’ in the badge while the latter’s is black.

Permanent 4MOTION is available solely in Highline trim with a more on-road ‘comfort’ rear leaf spring suspension set-up and is basically the passenger car version of the line-up. All the other models get the selectable system which benefits from a set of low ratio gears for serious off-roading, as well as a heavier-duty rear suspension.

Moving from rear- to four-wheel drive and selecting low range is achieved electronically using push-buttons next to the gearstick.

Both systems feature an electronic diff lock which uses the standard-fit latest generation ESP and ABS systems to operate. An optional rear diff lock can be specified for work in severe off-road conditions, except on a Startline; it’s part of the standard kit.

There’s even an off-road ABS function, activated by another button next to the gearlever, and it significantly shortens stopping distances on loose surfaces. In this mode, which can operate up to a speed of 63mph, the ESP system components are all programmed differently for more challenging off-road conditions. Instead of rapidly ‘pumping’, there are slightly longer gaps between braking to allow loose materials from the road surface to build-up in front of the wheels to produce greater resistance and more grip.

As part of the ESP system Amarok comes with Traction Control, Hill Hold Assist, Hill Descent Control and Trailer Stability Control, all of which are self-explanatory. The brake lights flash rapidly if heavy braking is detected at speeds over 37mph and the hazard warning lights (or parking lights to the majority of van drivers) activate automatically if Amarok comes to a complete stop.

Weights & Measures

Sitting on a ladder frame chassis Amarok has a wheelbase of 5,254mm, an overall length of 5,254mm, is 2,228mm wide (including mirrors) and 1,834mm high. Back at the business end the load bed is 1,555mm long, the sidewalls are 508mm high and it has a maximum width of 1,620mm, narrowing to 1,222mm between the wheel boxes.

Loading height is 780mm and the available width with the tailgate lowered is 1,364mm. There’s a single, centrally mounted release handle and it drops down to 90°, supported by steel cables; the rear bumper prevents it being lowered to 180°. Load-tie points are provided in all four corners.

Amarok’s load carrying ability is dependent on which transmission is fitted. Selectable 4MOTION gives it a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 3,170kg, maximum rear axle load of 1,860kg and payloads of 1,064kg to 1,119kg depending on trim level and engine choice.

Go for the top-spec 2,820 GVW Highline with permanent 4MOTION and the rear axle weight limit drops to 1,600kg while the payload plummets to 750kg; no VAT reclamation there, then.

Maximum front axle load is 1,385kg for all models bar the 122hp Startline, for which it drops by 10kg. Gross train weight is 5,500kg across the board and the maximum braked trailer weight is 2,690kg, except for the permanent 4MOTION Highline; it’s rated at 2,800kg.

In-Cab Comfort

Amarok may be a pick-up, but the cab is classic VW passenger car; with added benefits. Big door pockets, a lockable glovebox, a centre bin (no lid on the Startline) by the handbrake alongside two cup-holders, a cubby behind the gearstick and a shallow indentation on top of the dash provide more than ample storage space.

Seat height adjustment along with steering wheel tilt and reach adjustment mean it’s easy to set a perfect driving position and the instruments are clear and informative.

Rear seat passengers get a relatively generous amount of legroom and the doors open wide for easy access. The seat back can be dropped down or the base folded up to provide storage space if necessary. Lowering the former is a two-person task, however, as the catch releases on both sides operate independently, just releasing one, rather than both sides at once. VW should look into changing this arrangement.

Even the entry-level Startline specification is extensive. It comes with remote central locking, electric windows and mirrors (heated), semi-auto air con, single CD/radio, driver and passenger air bags, and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm. Externally it gets 16in alloy wheels, colour-coded front bumper, load bed light and tow bar wiring pre-installed.

Move up to Trendline and the alloys become 17in and the air con is automatic. It also comes with cruise control, a trip computer, six — rather than two — speakers for the single CD/radio, leather-covered steering wheel/gear knob/handbrake handle, under-seat storage drawer for the driver and three 12v sockets; one in the centre console — as on the Startline — one on top of the dash and one in the load area. We think it’s a bit stingy that Startlines don’t come with all three as well.

Externally it adds colour-coded door handles/mirrors, wheelarch extensions, front fog lamps and chrome detailing for the upper grille.

Highline specification additionally brings with it 18in alloys, leather upholstery, heated front seats, privacy glass, stainless steel side bars and rear parking sensors.

Naturally there are a host of factory- and dealer-fit options up for grabs, including chrome roll-over bars and a windowed hard top. Click here for a PDF of the brochure (6.8Mb).

On/Off the Road

We recently spent time behind the wheel of a Startline and Highline, both with selectable 4MOTION and the 163hp diesel; and we came away very impressed.

The engine is a gem and feels just as at home in the Amarok as it does under the bonnet of the Transporter. It’s refined and there always seems to be plenty of torque on tap under the right foot.

Gearchange quality can’t be described as light, but that’s to be expected on a heavy-duty 4x4. It’s positive and well sprung to the third-, fourth-gear plane and the ratios are well matched to the engine, although there’s a bit of a gap between first and second gear.

On-the-road it rides remarkably well for a rear leaf-sprung pick-up, even with no load on board. It will settle down even more with a couple of hundred kilos in the back. Even in the default rear-wheel drive setting it handles very well, with the host of electronic active safety features taking care of business, along with good feedback from the steering. Selecting high-range 4x4 is simply a matter of pressing a button when conditions demand it.

It’s also no slouch off-the-road either. There’s more than adequate ground clearance and once low range 4x4 has been selected, the electronics basically take care of everything. Steep descents can even be tackled in neutral, which far from being a recommended off-roading technique we did try because VW said it would do it.

It proved just as adept at going up steep inclines. Select first gear, release the clutch, don’t touch any of the pedals and it crawls its way to the top of the slope. It couldn’t be easier and it’s virtually idiot-proof. The Hill Hold function also works well if the driver is too lazy to use the handbrake.

With a good driving position and comfortable, supportive seats the Amarok’s cab provides a very civilised environment. It feels more like being in a car than a workhorse and even the Startline benefits from more than enough creature comforts. Even the rear passenger are well catered for in the legroom department.

Prices (basic, excl VAT) start at £16,995 and go up to £21,575 for the all-singing/dancing permanent 4x4 Highline.

Verdict
We’re smitten. Amarok is the first of a new generation of pick-ups that are just as at home on-the-road, as off it. The ride quality in particular deserves praise. The only real downside is that it’s not currently available as a single or an extended cab.