Volkswagen Amarok Ultimate – a lekker leisure bakkie look, and ultimate Amarok

All this talk of the sales challenge between Hilux and Ranger, and all the hype of new Hilux just around the corner, the raft of other new Volkswagen commercial products like new Caddy and new T6 generation of Transporter, Kombi and Caravelle, left Volkswagen with little new to say about there Amarok.

Amarok Ultimate

The Volkswagen Amarok double cab Highline, as current top model spec, is the one onto which the Ultimate is loaded. 

The Volkswagen Amarok Ultimate is a limited edition, with the most obvious change to the front, where xenon headlights with an integral LED lighting strip were added.  Ford Ranger Wildtrak models received xenon headlights as part of their facelift, and it is about time these much-safer lights make it onto bakkies.

Darkened taillights go in a set with the xenon headlights.  A subtle change to 2 chrome bars in the grille, introduced onto Amarok Highline models earlier this year, have transformed the visuals. 

Wing mirrors are painted silver, and silver ULTIMATE lettering is flashed onto the doors.  More brightwork is seen on the under-run (underbody) guard below the front bumper, side bars in chrome, and a chrome loadbay-mounted styling bar (not calling it roll bar anymore).  Wheels for Ultimate are 19-inch on 255/55 R19 111T tyres (up from the standard undersized 17-inch) in Cantera double 5-split-spoke design for local spec, rather than the high-sheen 5-spoke Aragonit design for other markets as seen on accompanying photography (the Amarok on the rock).  Park distance control for front and rear and a rear-view camera come standard.

Some visual and tactile treats inside too, with anthracite and titanium black Alcantara suede-cloth seat upholstery (though can be substituted by leather at no cost), heated seats, and special cut-pile mats. 

All of these add R 56 300 to the price of the Highline, though add a much-needed lekker leisure bakkie look to Amarok.

The Amarok Ultimate uses the BiTDI engine of 132kW and 4Motion (4x4) with 8-speed automatic.  Its name is a mouthful – the “Volkswagen Amarok 2.0BiTDI double cab Highline 4Motion Ultimate auto” has recommended retail of R 600 200.

The ultimate Amarok?

In terms of leisure look, equipment and price, Amarok Ultimate comes closest to the Ford Ranger Wildtrak, but lacks the Ford’s big strong engine.

People have been sceptic about a mere 2.0 diesel in the Amarok.  Yes, downsizing with BiTDI and all that, but how about a big torquey V6 diesel?

In the Volkswagen group, sharing of engines between VWs, Audis, SEATs and Porsches are nothing new, and quite acceptable.  Looking at the TDI engine portfolio available, one notices a 3.0 TDI V6 turbo diesel engine under bonnets of Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI, Audi Q7 3.0 TDI, Porsche Cayenne diesel, etc.  There is also a near 4.2-litre V8 TDI in all these SUVs… just thinking…

Why then, if a Ford Ranger can have a 3.2-litre diesel and a Nissan Navara a 3.0 V6 diesel, can VW not pluck a 3.0 TDI V6 from the production line and drop into the spacious engine bay of the Amarok?  That would be the ultimate Amarok Ultimate.  Imagine:  Volkswagen Amarok 3.0 TDI V6.  You read it hear first… let’s keep asking.  How about it, VW?

You’ll find Amarok info not under the normal vw.co.za passenger car site, but under vwcommercial.co.za

You can also view other used cars for sale.