VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK AVENTURA
ENGINE 2967cc 6cyl, DOHC, 24v, turbo-diesel
MAX POWER 165kW @ 4000rpm
MAX TORQUE 550Nm @ 1500-2750rpm
TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic
WEIGHT 2320kg (est.)
0-100KM/H: N/A
FUEL ECONOMY: 7.6L/100km (EU, claimed)
PRICE: $68,000 (est.)
ON SALE: November, 2016CORE PROMISE
YES, Volkswagen says a Core-
badged price leader for the Amarok
V6 would probably sell its rings off
in Australia. However, while it’s not
yet under consideration, the V6 is
available in three different states
of tune globally – 125kW/450Nm,
132kW/500Nm and 165kW/550Nm- paving the way for an entry-level
tow pack.
geometry of the Amarok’s front suspension module to account
for the engine’s extra weight. Pitch in a bullbar – you’ll have
to chase one of those up from a third-party supplier as VW’s
conscientious objection to them still stands – and you’re
looking at an extra quarter of a tonne ahead of the firewall.
VW’s chassis engineering team says it still has time to work on
this. Down the rear, the Aventura sits on VW’s comfort-biased
2-1 leaf springs.
Volkswagen hasn’t yet started to chase its rivals in terms
of driver aids. The Amarok still doesn’t include side curtain
airbags, and the only advance on the safety front is post-collision
braking, meaning the ute will safely pull itself up after hitting
something. It has added a trailer assist function that will use the
Amarok’s brakes to prevent a freeway-speed tank-slapper.
The Amarok updates bring visual bling, too. Externally,
it has cleaner lines that bring the trade ute in line with
the theme spreading across other commercial vehicles in
the VW line, including the T6 Transporter and Multivan.
Aventura takes things a step further, adding details such as a
fat-looking, tub-mounted style bar, bi-xenon headlights and
smoked tail-lamps.
Fuel use is unofficially 7.6L/100km on the European cycle –
VW is yet to lock numbers in – compared with a 10.2L/100km
logged on billiard-smooth German roads.
In reality, the Amarok V6 feels like the car VW should have
launched in 2009. Yes, it’s ahead on performance, but behind
on just about any other measure of what makes a tradie ute
one of the most desirable vehicles on the Australian market. Is
it too little too late?
VW showed two matte colours at the
launch, but neither the matte grey or
blue have been confi rmed for Australia.42 http://www.4X4australia.com.auDRIVEN VW AMAROK AVENTURA V6TDI