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Volkswagen Amarok in test: combining forces

2023-02-16T12:05:24.533Z


After a decade, Volkswagen introduces a new generation of its successful van, which is much more Ford than Volkswagen, and tries to raise the bar in the combination between a work vehicle and a leisure vehicle


The well-worn cliché that "today is not what it used to be" turns out to be very true when it comes to vans.

Not long ago, vans were simple, spartan and tough work tools that sacrificed quite a bit the comfort and back of those who drove them in favor of work capacity and survival.

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But a few decades ago the Americans, for whom that van is part of their way of life, decided that the van could be a worthy replacement for a recreational vehicle.

It took some time for the rest of the world to adopt the concept, but in the end even the vans coming from the East today offer upgraded comfort and design and accessories that do not fall short of what is customary in family crossovers.

One of the last places in the world where a van remains in its classic sense is on the African continent, and it is precisely there (in South Africa to be exact) that Volkswagen chose to launch the generation of the Amarok.

Photo: Manufacturer

When you think of a van with a Volkswagen logo, the association of an old-fashioned double-cabin transporter or the first generation of the Caddy, which was basically a Golf with a box, comes to mind.

However, since 2010, Volkswagen has had a medium-sized van in the classic configuration that we know from Japanese vans that dominate the market.

In Israel the Amarok was quite expensive and therefore sold in low quantities, but internationally it was a success story with more than 830 thousand units sold mainly in developing markets such as Russia, South America, Mexico and... South Africa.

Power Ranger

Developing a new model is an expensive business, and today car manufacturers are looking for any way to save money and direct it to vital avenues such as electric vehicle development.

Volkswagen preferred to save itself the cost of developing a new Amarok on its own and teamed up with Ford, which knows a few things about making vans.

This is a small part of a large-scale cooperation of the global commercial divisions of the two giant manufacturers.

Besides the Amarok, the next generation of the Transporter and the Caddy will also share a common base with Transit and Tourneo Connect respectively.

Volkswagen will contribute its part in the project also in regards to the inevitable electrification, and will be responsible for an electric van based on a dedicated platform.

Photo: Manufacturer

The new Amarok is actually a twin brother to the Ford Ranger, Ford's mid-sized global van whose new generation was launched in the middle of the year.

The development was done jointly according to the Volkswagen people, but the chassis is from Ford and is also the basis for the tough Bronco.

The range of engines includes 4-cylinder turbo diesel engines with capacities of 150 to 205 hp, as well as the 2.3 turbo gasoline engine that will be offered in certain markets comes from the Mustang.

The 10-speed automatic transmission is also a Ford, and the passenger compartment includes switches familiar from a variety of Ford models.

A comparison can be made between the new generation and the outgoing generation, but it is not relevant because, as mentioned, it is a completely new model on a completely different basis.

In relation to the category, the Amarok with 535 cm from bumper to bumper is a few centimeters longer than the Japanese vans, but with a wheelbase of 327 cm it has a significant advantage of 15-20 cm over them.

Those who intend to work with the Amarok will be happy to know that its towing capacity is equal to the Japanese pair and stands at 3.5 tons, but its loading capacity is about 100-150 kg higher and stands at 1.2 tons.

Photo: Manufacturer

What is different anyway?

Volkswagen took care to give the Amarok a different design, with a characteristic front with a grille that includes two transverse stripes and a prominent front bumper, a tall engine hood with muscular bulges (which somewhat impairs forward visibility) and prominent wings.

Although it is impossible to innovate too much in the design of pickup trucks, the Amarok looks purposeful and tough without being drawn to an ornate look.

The suspension calibration according to Volkswagen is different and they also insisted that the Amarok will have a V6 diesel engine like the previous generation, although it also comes from Ford.

So is the desire to include the multitude of safety systems known and accepted today (autonomous braking, deviation correction, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control).

The seats, steering wheel and interior trims are different and match the manufacturer's interior design line, as does the multimedia system interface.

And if we have already mentioned it, then the vertical screen looks modern and allows for a clean arrangement of the instrument panel, but operating the air conditioning system only by touch is not comfortable, especially when it comes to a work vehicle.

Photo: Manufacturer

Beyond that, the feeling in the passenger cabin was quite solid, with soft materials for the upper part of the instrument panel and the doors with dummy seams giving the quality touch required from a van that tries to be a replacement for an SUV.

back to africa

In contrast to launches in which the tested version is completely different from the one that will arrive in Israel, this time we drove the Amarok in a configuration that had already landed in Israel.

Happily we got the top V6 engine (the price difference from the smaller engines makes them unviable), dual drive with a dual drive mode with variable power distribution for the road as well and a dual cab.

Single-cab and rear-wheel drive versions exist, but the Amarok is aimed at the higher and more expensive part of the category, so it will also come in the high-end finish called Aventura, which is well-equipped and includes items such as leather upholstery, heated seats and 20-inch rims with low-cut tires that are really suitable for off-road driving, but integrate Well with the stylish design additions.

In short, not really a repairman's van, although a slightly more popular finish level will also be offered.

This V6 engine reminds us why we love big diesel engines (and sorry to the greens and the planet).

It has a sea of ​​torque (61.2 kgm) and its match with the gearbox is excellent.

Although the box is quick to raise gears and already at 100 km/h you will find yourself in tenth gear below the engine's peak torque, but it has no problem dropping 3 or 4 gears immediately when needed, the turbo whistles lightly and the Amarok rolls forward with the determination of a rhinoceros.

However, something about its sense of power is somewhat muted by fairly successful engine noise isolation that elevates diesel chatter in particular, so road noise isolation as well.

We didn't like the inconvenient manual operation using switches on the side of the gear lever.

Photo: Manufacturer

In general, the Amarok transmits a very solid feeling and instills confidence in the driver.

The steering is detached, but accurate and well-weighted, as the Lamaroc had no problem sticking to the chosen line without exhibiting the length oscillations typical of pickups.

In the back there are acceptable leaf springs and even when the van is not loaded, the passengers are not punished with bumps when they pass by obstacles.

The disadvantage in ride comfort came precisely from the direction of the tires.

The test vehicles rolled on oversized 21" rims that may look good, but wear completely unnecessary 45-section tires that are responsible for excessive bounce over small bumps and also limit off-road ability.

Amarok Aventura is coming to Israel with 20 inch rims and a slightly more reasonable 55 cut.

The off-road route included in the launch did not really challenge the Amarok, which is equipped with a proper menu that includes power transmission, rear differential lock and hill descent control.

In short, everything you need to climb places that no crossover will reach, certainly when loaded with equipment for a week's family camping.

A changing reality

The new Volkswagen Amarok enters the reality in Israel where there are almost no direct competitors, except for the aging Toyota Hilux and the Isuzu D MAX, this after the Mitsubishi Triton is no longer marketed with European standards and the new and intriguing Nissan Navara remains refused for some reason.

The Amarok is placed on the expensive side of the category, but it offers in return a powerful and pleasant drive unit, a feeling of quality in the passenger compartment and road and off-road capabilities that definitely allow it to be an alternative to a recreational vehicle for those who also want to travel in real terrain and do not need/want the monstrous size of the American pickups.

Volkswagen Amarok

Engine: 3.0 liter turbo diesel V6

Power: 240 hp at 3,250 rpm

Torque: 61.2 kgm at 1,750-2,250 rpm

Gearbox: automatic, 10 gear ratios

Drive: double with electric combination.

power gear

Wheelbase: 327 cm

Length x width x height: 188x191x535 cm

Belly space: 23.7 cm

Fuel consumption (test): 8.8 km/l

Price: from NIS 360,000

Pros: engine, feeling of quality

Against: Bouncy with excessive hoops

Bottom line: a van for work and for the weekend

were we wrong

We will fix it!

If you found an error in the article, we would appreciate it if you shared it with us

Source: israelhayom

All news articles on 2023-02-16

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