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09/10/2011
REVIEW By DEREK OGDEN & EWAN KENNEDY
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Almost invariably, the motoring media are presented with test cars only from the top of the luxury heap, sometimes with costly add-ons to make them even grander than their rivals. That’s to impress us and, hopefully from their point of view, to say nicer things about the vehicle – not that that happens.
Thankfully, this is time around the Volkswagen importer lent us the entry-level 2WD variant; though if followed that up with the top-dog Amarok, the 4WD dual-cab model named ‘Ultimate’, costing close to sixty grand - which is almost twice the price of the lesser vehicle.
The entry-level Amarok has bumpers, door handles and exterior mirrors that are unpainted and have tough textured black surfaces that stand up to workaday knocks, while the cabin floor is covered with a boot-friendly rubber.
The Ultimate, on the other hand, presents a level of prestige found only in the best SUVs – leather seats, 19-inch alloy wheels and side steps. It is available with selectable four-wheel drive and permanent all-wheel drive 4Motion.
At more than five metres long and almost two metres wide (not including mirrors), the Amarok offers the largest cabin (seats for five) and load space (enough to take a pallet sideways) in its class
The four-door dual cab ute shares its design with other VW commercial vehicles such as the Caddy, Transporter, Multivan and Caravelle.
The width is accentuated by the horizontal lines of the upper radiator grille and the louvres on the higher variants that are trimmed in chrome. Headlamp and integrated turn lights add to an air of self confidence and readiness to take on almost anything on the road, or track, ahead.
In profile the Volkswagen Amarok is a typical pickup, with a high stance for off-road ability and a well-proportioned cabin blending with a no-nonsense tub. The only decorations are wheel-arch flares, standard on Highline and Ultimate, and offered with optional 17-inch, 18-inch, or 19-inch wheels.
The rear is just as businesslike with a two-part bumper including a lower step for convenient access. The load-bearing tailgate can be swung down 90 degrees to level off with the tray floor, while on the base Amarok with no rear bumper the gate can be swung down a further 90 degrees for simpler loading, including by forklift.
A nice touch is a light on the upper edge of the cabin rear, which when switched on, illuminates the load area, one that’s capable of taking a class-leading 1.15 tonne payload.
The Amarok maintains Volkswagen’s strategy of downsizing engines to save fuel and reduce emissions, while maintaining optimum performance. The 2.0-litre 120 kW turbo-diesel, thanks to a two-stage turbocharger and direct fuel injection, is able to come up with 400 Nm of torque at just 1500rpm.
The result, with its six-speed manual transmission, is passenger-car performance with turbo-diesel economy – 7.7 litres per 100 km for the two-wheel drive in the combined highway/city cycle, 7.9 litres/100 km for the 4MOTION is claimed by the manufacturer.
Three drivelines are on offer – 2WD through the rear wheels, selectable 4MOTION four-wheel drive and permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive.
The 2WD is aimed at those who are looking for ute versatility without go-anywhere ability, the selectable 4MOTION 4WD at those who want to take on the toughest conditions and the 4MOTION all-wheel drive at those who would like a little more comfort with their off-roading without challenging the 4WD ability too hard.
The cabin, accessed through four wide opening doors, with the aid of grab handles on both A and B-pillars, comfortably seats five average-size adults. Height adjustable front seats are sporty in shape, offering cushioned side support, handy when taking bends at speed, or being buffeted off road in rough going.
Rear bench-seat back fits flush with the cabin wall, making the seating position upright and rather stiff. A bonus is the fact that with occupants in the front only, the 60:40 split base of the rear seats hinge up to the back leaving room for additional cabin cargo. The seat backs also fold.
Specification is heavily dependent on model and therefore price but even the entry-level Amarok 2WD boasts power windows and rear-view mirrors, and remote central locking. Climate control air-conditioning is standard.
Instruments and switches are set out in typical VW manner, making them all easy to read and operate, while the radio antenna is incorporated in the exterior door mirrors.
The 2WD Amarok did the basic pickup things, and it did them very well. The cabin comfort went way beyond that expected and materials promised a minimum of day-to-day care for a workhorse.
Across both variants, with so much torque to tame the industrial strength six-speed manual transmission needed a firm hand to shift between cogs. The long-travel clutch was a further foil to relaxed driving.
With a vehicle of the Amarok’s bulk, Hill-Hold Assist was particularly welcome by preventing roll-back when setting off on an incline.
The heavy duty suspension of the basic Amarok was just that – heavy; the comfort package, standard with the 4MOTION, ironed out the surface imperfections to some extent but was still on the firm side of smooth going.
PRICING
Amarok TDI400 2WD Dual Cab Ute 2.0 six-speed manual $33,990
Amarok TDI400 4MOTION six-speed manual $43,990
Amarok Trendline TDI400 4MOTION six-speed manual $47,990
Amarok Highline TDI400 4MOTION six-speed manual $52,990
Amarok Ultimate TDI400 4MOTION $58,490
(Prices do not include dealer or government charges)
FEATURES
Electronic Stability Program
ABS/ASR anti-skid braking (calibrated for off-road conditions), Brake Assist
Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control
Remote central locking
Electric windows and door mirrors (heated)
Tailgate opening 180 degrees (Amarok); rear bumper with integrated step (Ultimate)
Audio with CD, MP3 2 speakers (Amarok), 6 speakers (Ultimate)
Rubber floor covering (Amarok); carpet (Ultimate)
Cloth seats (Amarok); leather trim (Ultimate)
Folding rear bench seat (back forward, base upward)
Cruise control with multi-function display Amarok optional; Ultimate standard
Electric diff lock – rear axle (4WD models) Amarok optional; Ultimate standard
Electric diff lock rear axle (2WD) Amarok optional
2WD transmission (Amarok) standard
4MOTION selectable transmission Amarok optional ; Ultimate standard
4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive Ultimate optional
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE:
Type: In-line 4 cylinder DOHC 16 valve, twin turbochargers
Capacity: 1968cc
Fuel system: Common-rail direct injection intercooled
Maximum Power: 120 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 400 Nm @ 1500-2500 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Transmission: Six speed manual rear-wheel drive/selectable 4MOTION/permanent 4MOTION
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 5181 mm (Amarok); 5254 mm (Ultimate)
Width: 1944 mm (2228 mm including mirrors)
Height: 1834 mm
Wheelbase: 3095 mm
Ground clearance: 230 mm (192 mm with 4MOTION underbelly protection)
Approach angle: 28 degrees
Departure angle: 28 degrees (Amarok); 23.6 degrees (Ultimate)
Ramp angle: 23 degrees Amarok (21.4 degrees with 4Motion); 23 degrees Ultimate 21.4 degrees with 4MOTION
Wading depth: 500 mm
Cargo area: 2.52 cu m
Length: 1555 mm
Width: 1620 (widest point); 1222 mm (wheel arch)
Turning Circle: 12.95 m
GVM: 3040 kg standard (heavy duty); 2820 kg optional (comfort suspension)
Tare weight: 2 tonnes (Amarok); 2.110 tonnes (Ultimate)
Roof load: 100 kg
Towing capacity: 2800 kg (braked); 750 kg (unbraked)
Towball download: 280 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 litres
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Transverse link with A-frame arm double wishbone and anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Multi-rigid axle with leaf spring and stabiliser bar
Brakes: 303 mm discs (front); 295 mm drum (rear)
Steering: Electric power steering
Wheels: Steel 6.5J x 16 in (Amarok); alloy 8J x 19 in (Ultimate)
Tyres: 205 R16 C 110/108T (Amarok); 255/55 R19 111T (Ultimate)
PERFORMANCE:
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: N/A
Maximum speed: N/A
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 7.7 L/100km, CO2 emissions 203 g/km (2WD); 7.9 L/100 km, 209 g/km (Selectable 4MOTION); 7.9 L/100km, 209 g/km (Permanent 4MOTION)
Emission standard: EU5
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 6/10; Air Pollution Rating: 5/10 (2WD); 6/10, 5/10 (Ultimate)
WARRANTY
Vehicle: 3 years unlimited kilometres
Paint/corrosion: 3 years/6 years
Roadside assistance: 3 years unlimited kilometres |
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