@wheelsaustralia 55
Cock and bullbars
Volkswagen says it still has
work to do on the Amarok’s
front axle module before the
V6 version of the ute arrives
in Australia late this year.
As it is, the engine adds 80kg
over the front axle, and an
alloy bull bar will tip in an
extra 120kg. Make that a steel
bar with a winch and there’s
another 180kg.Meet Australia’s most cashed-up tradie
VW Amarok Aventura
FOUR years ago Volkswagen
hadaverydifferentset
of problems. Tougher
Euro 6 diesel emissions
standards, due in late-2016,
were looming.
The twin-turbo 2.0-litre
four used in the Amarok was
particularly troubling, the cost
of making it conform ruled
prohibitive. VW’s solution was
a versatile single-turbo 3.0-litre
diesel V6 launched in 2014 and
already compliant. It’s used in
products as diverse as Audi’s A4
and Q7, and even the Porsche
CayenneSDiesel.
For Amarok, it’s tuned to
produce 165kW and 550Nm- 28kW/30Nm less than the high-
performance Cayenne yet enough
tomakeitthemostpowerfultrade
ute in Australia. And in overboost
it provides an extra 50Nm.
To mark its arrival, and as part
of a mid-life spritz with an even
more car-like interior, VW has
produced a launch edition called
FIRST
OVERSEAS
DRIVE
Aventura. It gains larger 20-inch
alloys, a tub-mounted sports bar
and two matte colour choices
(blue and grey). In Australia it
will top the Amarok tree above
a Highlander-badged V6 and two
2.0-litre models (there’s no Euro 6
deadline for Oz...).
However, V6 power won’t come
cheaply. When it lands late this
year, it will become Australia’s
most expensive trade ute.
There are no suspension
changes for the V6, despite an
extra 80kg over the front wheels.
But the extra poke does bring
bigger front brakes and rear discs
in place of drums. Jump on the
brakes and the Aventura washes
speed quickly, playfully blipping
the throttle on downshifts – a
strange trait in a utility.
Aventura gains arguably the
most comfortable front seats
in the business. Lifted from
the Passat, they include 14-way
electric adjustment.
You still need a key to crankthe new V6, but the instr
needles now give a Golf G
playful flick on start-up.
The V6 is impressive. Strong
from low revs and willing, it
works with the eight-speed
auto to deliver a decent rush of
acceleration – also if you’re rolling,
once the Aventura sorts out which
gear to select. Better to use the
almost comically small steering
wheel-mounted paddle shifters to
manually pick the best gear.
Despite its heft, ride is well
sorted on standard 20-inch alloys,
at least on smooth German roads
(and on the autobahn it easily
hits its claimed 195km/h top
speed, only 26km/h slower than
the Cayenne Diesel). The speed-
sensitive Servotronic steering – a
first for Amarok – is well weighted
and provides car-like feedback.
Amarok is already a Wheels
favourite, and the V6-engined
Aventura feels even more sports
ute than workhorse.
BARRY PARKHeavy; expensive; still no rear airbags; auto-only PLUS &
MINUSUps the performance b i f l i bi f
Model
Engine
Max power
Max torque
Transmission
Weight
0-100km/h
Economy
Price
On saleVolkswagen Amarok Aventura
2967cc V6 (90o), dohc, 24v, TD
165kW @ 4000rpm
550Nm @ 1500-2750rpm
8-speed automatic
2320kg
7.9sec (claimed)- 6 L / 10 0 k m ( E U )
$68,000 (estimated)
November
um
GTI-likeeante;better steeringfeel;in-cabin comfort