German cars are all about refinement, are they not? So why have a clunky four-pot when you could have a silky smooth V6? That’s certainly the argument that Volkswagen made, as it introduces a more potent, smoother diesel V6 on its Amarok ute.
As previously speculated, the new Amarok V6 will only be available in two highly-specced variants, the Highline (at $59,990 before ORC) and the Ultimate ($67,990 before ORC), representing a considerable $3,000 and $4,000 hike in the previously-offered four-cylinder equivalents.
The Volkswagen Amarok V6, arguably one of the posher utes on the market, will have to take the fight to the segment-leading Ford Ranger Wildtrak (which is more than $6,000 cheaper than the Amarok V6 Ultimate), and will likely face heavy competition from the incoming Mercedes-Benz X-Class luxury ute.
The Amarok V6 is now the performance leader among utes here, with a 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 that also sees use in Audi’s Q7 and Porsche’s Cayenne. With 165kW and a colossal 580Nm of torque, it can easily out-sprint the competition. With the addition of a wiring kit, the Amarok V6 also comes readily with active trailer sway control.
As for the utility of the truck itself, it can manage a payload of up to 911kg. And although that’s about 1,000kg less than the Amarok Core, the Amarok V6 isn’t really being pitched as an out-and-out workhorse. The V6 comes with an overboost function, that kicks in once you prod the accelerator past 70%. This briefly bumps power by 15kW to 180kW, perfect for overtaking or powering up steep inclines.
The overboost function is timed best for use in third or fourth gear, at speeds above 50km/h. The boss itself lasts for only 10-seconds, and requires a 5-second cool-down period afterward. With the overboost function, the Amarok V6 completes the century dash in just 7.9 seconds, and will even go from 80km/h to 120km/h in just 5.5 seconds. All this power is reigned in by ventilated disc brakes at each order.
All V6’s will come standard with Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system, splitting power 40:60 front and rear. What this means is that there will be no low range ‘box, but substitutes that with an off-road mode, hill descent control, and a standard Torsen rear differential lock. All variants will come standard fit with an 8-speed automatic gearbox, with a six-speed manual coming in at the end of 2017.
To further emphasise the Amarok V6’s capabilities, Volkswagen is boasting that its new ute can climb 45-degree angles with a full load. Approach and departure angles are rated at 29-degrees at the front, and 24-degrees at the rear, whilst maximum wading depth is an impressive 500mm.
Revisions are not limited to just the powertrain, though. The interior has seen minor changes to give it a more premium, plush overall appearance. Befitting of one of the most expensive utes on the market, then. The Amarok V6 still misses out on the safety front though, as the Ranger Wildtrak continues to be a thorn in its side by offering active safety features like active cruise control and blind spot monitoring.
In March 2017, the Amarok V6 will be joined by an updated range of four-cylinder variants. The range-topping Aventura will be arriving in June 2017, with a rumoured price tag comfortably above the Ultimate.
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