A
USSIES are a pragmatic bunch,
especially when it comes to their
4x4s. There’s no doubt the big T
still rules the hearts and heads
of a lot of people who live out
where having a 4x4 is a necessity,
not a fashion statement – but
other brands are starting to
make their presence felt. One
of those interloper brands is Volkswagen. The
German stalwart has big plans for its lone dirt-
trooping Amarok, but Australians still need
convincing. Euro utes ... seriously?
We joined the Volkswagen Australia team
for a 1200km cross-country odyssey that took
in three states and more than 1200km of
dirt roads, aboard a pair of lightly modified
Amaroks, including a V6 Ultimate. The
Ultimate’s 3.0-litre V6, plucked from under the
bonnet of Porsche’s Cayenne, is creating a big
stir for its category-topping 165kW and 550Nm
output, and VW is determined to make themost of the momentum by getting out amongst
the people that actually use 4x4s properly.
Mods to our factory-fresh cars are minimal;
along with the standard sports bar in the rear
of the V6 Ultimate’s ute tray, a black lockable
roller shutter has been added, along with a
VW genuine accessories-sourced roof rack
and platform combo, an ARB awning and
sand-shovel holder. The usual 19-inch rims
have been replaced with 17-inch versions
from the Amarok Canyon special edition and
finished in black, and they’ve been fitted with
265/60 R17 General Grabber G2s all-terrain
tyres. There’s a set of rock sliders along the
side of the car, but no bullbar or snorkel as
VW Australia is yet to finalise approval for
factory-fitted items. A light bar with an aerial
mount cleverly attaches to bracing fitted
across the front of the radiator, and custom
black graphics finish it off. The four-cylinder
Amarok gets a canopy from ARB, roof rails
and a rooftop tent.dash it
Grumble, grumble. Say
no more ... On-the-fly
fixes are all part and
parcel of an Outback
expedition.92 http://www.4X4australia.com.auDRIVEN VW AMAROKS TO BIG RED