When Volkswagen launched the first-generation Amarok double cab locally in September 2010, it faced immediate scepticism. In a market dominated by large-capacity engines, VW’s decision to power the Amarok with a small 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel (BiTDI) engine sparked a popular local joke that "only milk comes in two litres." However, the Amarok quickly silenced critics. It boasted a class-leading, exceptionally wide load bay and premium, car-like interior comfort that bridged the gap between a workhorse and a family SUV.
The introduction of an ultra-smooth 8-speed automatic transmission in 2013 further elevated its status. The true turning point came in 2017 with the introduction of the 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine. Producing up to 190 kW (200 kW on overboost) by 2020, the V6 Amarok became the fastest and most powerful bakkie in South Africa, cementing its legacy as a premium powerhouse.
Related: Volkswagen adds a more affordable double-cab to its bakkie lineup.
The second-generation Amarok debuted in early 2023, marking a massive strategic shift. Born from a global alliance between VW and Ford, this generation shares a platform with the Ford Ranger. Crucially, while the first generation was imported from Argentina, the second-generation Amarok is built proudly on South African soil at Ford's Silverton assembly plant in Pretoria. It features advanced digital cockpits, enhanced off-road capabilities, and an array of powertrains, continuing its reign as a premium lifestyle choice for Mzansi's bakkie enthusiasts.
To celebrate 75 years of Volkswagen and to prove just how rugged these new vehicles are, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles invited us on a 5-day overlanding adventure, during which we would drive three relatively new derivatives of the Amarok bakkie across various challenging terrains.
Day 1
After a quick, jaunty flight from Johannesburg to Durban, we arrived at the Durban CBD dealership, our starting point for this adventure. We became acquainted with the three derivatives that we would be driving on this 1500km journey, namely the:
- Life 2.0 TDI 125kW with 10-speed automatic transmission (R801,000)
- PanAmericana 2.3 222kW with 10-speed automatic transmission (R1,099,900)
- PanAmericana 3.0 V6 TDI 184kW with 10-speed automatic transmission (R1,1099,900)
After a quick meeting to discuss the products and establish the route, we hopped in and headed west along the N3 in rush-hour traffic via Pietermaritzburg toward the idyllic KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, which would be our first stop.
Day 2
The bulk of the journey would see early mornings and late evenings as we had much ground to cover over the remaining four days. Waking at sunrise to a frosty midlands morning, we packed up and hit the road early. Our crew of three had picked the LIFE derivative to tackle first as we had an inkling of what would come next and wanted to save the bigger engines for later. A relatively short 150km stretch of dirt road would see us arrive on the other side of Underberg, at the base of the formidable Sani Pass, just before 9:30 am. The border crossing at Sani is a mere formality, and the snow at the top of the pass beckoned. The fleet of Amarok bakkies snaked its way up the pass, reaching ever higher until we touched the frost line in the shadows of the peaks, and then it got cold.
The higher we climbed, the further the temps plummeted until we hit ice and snow, the pack crunching under our tyres until we crested the pass. It felt almost anticlimactic how easily the Amaroks handled the treacherous road. Another quick border crossing in Lesotho, and we began making our way toward a quick lunch stop and then onto Black Mountain Peak for some fun in the snow.
Mother Nature could not have timed it any better, as, along the 30km stretch of pristine tar, it began to snow in flurries. This prompted a stop to go and be big kids; you would not believe how hard a compacted snowball hits! Once we had reached the top of Black Mountain Peak, it was time for the return journey down Sani Pass, through the border crossings, and onto the Sani Pass Lodge, which would be our home for the night. We arrived in the early dark and immediately went looking for a fireplace to warm up.
Day 3
We once again woke with the sunrise, to sub-zero temps and a layer of ice on everything. We switched vehicles this morning into the 3.0 V6 TDI as we would be spending most of the morning on tar and then transitioning later to rough dirt roads as we climbed a new set of mountains. Our lunch stop was at the Naude Family Farm at the base of Naudes Nek, the highest contour dirt-road mountain pass in South Africa. The road seems trifling until you begin rapidly ascending, and you realise just how steep it is and how very, very treacherous it can be. One wrong move here, and you will be plummeting 1,000s of meters straight down into the valley below. We once again reached an altitude that presented frozen sections, iced-over water flows, and patches of snow, but the view from the top of the Nek was absolutely stunning.
We could not stay long, though, as the descent into Rhodes awaited, and the sun was touching the tops of the peaks, meaning sunset was approaching. We still had some distance to cover, and attempting this steep descent into an unknown valley would be incredibly dangerous. Some deft driving later, we found ourselves in the sleepy hamlet of Rhodes after sunset for a quick comfort break, and then it was on to our hotel spot for the night. 80km later, we arrived in the pitch dark, and most of us immediately passed out from fatigue.
Day 4
We awoke to one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes and a very fresh, icy breeze. We had completely missed out on this view in the dark the previous night. We kept the V6 as the day ahead would see us driving on truly pristine tar roads through spectacular mountain passes. Before departing the hotel, we spied a heavily camouflaged test mule hiding in the back parking area and, after a bit of snooping, determined that it was indeed the new Tengo SUV undergoing final testing in the Eastern Cape highlands. If you want more info on this, you can read all about it here.
The rest of the day was rather uneventful as we made our way along these beautiful roads to the hidden jewel that is Graaff-Reinet. The Drostdy Hotel would be our overnight stop and play host to a viewing of South Africa's soccer World Cup debut, with everyone getting into the spirit of the game.
Day 5
We awoke the next morning and quickly commandeered the keys to the final model, the 2.3T 222kW, for our final push down to PE via Uitenhage. This was supposed to be a short burst and a neat and tidy arrival for our flight back to Johannesburg, but fate would have other plans.
After departing Graaff-Reinet, about 80km past Jansenville, we encountered a messy truck accident that would close the road for about 5 hours. This necessitated a bit of quick thinking, some major redirection, and a high-speed gravel-road rally stage that would stretch the Amarok's capabilities to the extreme. After some very technical driving through washouts, rocks, and deep ruts over the 180km detour, we still missed our flight by a couple of minutes, but in retrospect, it proved how overcapable the Amarok is when pushed to the limit.
Verdict
South Africa is truly a stunning, beautiful place with so much to see and do off the beaten path, and it's hard to imagine doing it in anything other than a premium double cab. No matter the grade or model, as long as you have 4WD and space for luggage, you will have an amazing time. The Amarok is so much more than this, though, and offers an almost luxurious way to tackle a trip like this. Even when pushed to its limits, it remains a very comfy and highly capable machine for tackling just about anything SA can throw at it. The 1,500km route was punishing, and although the days were long and the roads rough, we finished each day with a drink and a smile and sat around the fireplaces talking about the virtues of Amarok and which vehicle we would have. The Amarok is a homebred, homemade tool for those who enjoy adventure and all the flavours it can bring.
Images courtesy of Mileman Media
