The popularity of double cabs and bakkies as a whole has increased over the last decade thanks to advances in suspension technology and a focus on comfort and convenience. No longer is the bakkie a vehicle reserved for the construction site and instead, it's seen as a luxury vehicle, capable of serving duty as a family car too. Improved ride quality, fuel consumption and interior trims have made the double cab an indispensable vehicle for many families.
Related: What is the cheapest VW Amarok you can buy?
The Volkswagen Amarok has been a pioneer in this regard, offering an elegant solution to multi-need mobility and packed with a refinement that wouldn't look out of place in the business park or golf course. The new, second-generation Amarok sees Volkswagen partnered with Ford to maximise their potential, enlisting the use of the renowned T6 chassis and building on that with their own, unique Volkswagen flavour. Trust me when I say that this is not a bad thing.
Volkswagen Amarok performance
At the time of writing, Volkswagen was yet to officially launch the Amarok but sales of the model have commenced. As such, the new Amarok is yet to be tested and Volkswagen hasn't published acceleration figures. What we can tell you is their power outputs and top speeds, most of which are electronically governed. The lineup looks as follows:
2.0TDI 110kW
Serving as the base engine, the 2.0 TDI is a 2.0-litre turbo diesel that produces 110 kW and 350 Nm. This workhorse powerplant is found in the entry-level Amarok offerings and has a top speed of 170 km/h.
2.0TDI 125kW
Stepping things up a notch, the 2.0TDI 125kW offers a little more power and you'll find this engine in the Amarok all the way from the single-cab workhorse to the double-cab 4MOTION automatic Life version. This 2.0-litre unit produces 125 kW and 405 Nm and has a top speed of 180 km/h.
2.0BiTDI
The most powerful of the 2.0-litre engine range, the twin-turbo power plant develops 154 kW and a stout 500 Nm. This 4-cylinder unit makes use of a compound turbo arrangement to ensure smooth power delivery throughout the rev range. This engine is available in models up to the PanAmericana grade where it is paired with 4MOTION and a 10-speed auto gearbox.
3.0TDI V6
The flagship engine, the 3.0TDI V6 is, as the name implies, a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder with the cylinders arranged in a Vee formation. This turbocharged unit produces 184 kW and 600 Nm torque which makes it good for a limited top speed of 180 km/h.
Volkswagen Amarok first generation
Perhaps you're not looking for a new Amarok and you're hoping to capitalize on a used example. The first generation was also fitted with a range of 2.0 and 3.0-litre engines but these have considerably different arrangements. Take a look below to see how they performed.
2.0TDI
Power: 103 kW
Torque: 340 Nm
0-100 km/h: 13.1-seconds (13.5 for the double cab)
Top Speed: 169 km/h (167 for the double cab)
2.0BiTDI
Power: 132 kW
Torque: 400 Nm
0-100 km/h: 10.7-seconds
Top Speed: 184 km/h
3.0TDI V6
Power: 165 kW
Torque: 550 Nm
0-100 km/h: 8.0-seconds
Top Speed: 193 km/h
3.0TDI V6 (2021 - onwards)
Power: 190 kW
Torque: 580 Nm
0-100 km/h: 7.6-seconds
Top Speed: 207 km/h
