Road Test: Volkswagen Amarok 2.0 BiTDI 4Motion

The actual arrival of the Volkswagen Amarok came almost anti-climatically after nearly a year of sustained hype, speculation, conversation and some plain old bulldust – not that any of that was bad for Volkswagen heading into the launch of its first ‘bakkie’ in the highly competitive local market.

The Amarok range will swell quite considerably over the next 12 months, including the all-important single cab workhorse. For now, though, the four-vehicle range comprises Double Cabs powered by 2,0-litre turbo-diesel engines or, as in the case of our test unit, the twin turbo variant.

Volkswagen is extremely confident about the Amarok and plans to earn 15% – around 5 500 units – of our local double-cab market by the end of 2011. Having derived its name from the Inuit word for ‘Wolf’, Volkswagen is touting its new Amarok as the four-wheeled equivalent – strong and clever.

Easily recognisable as a Volkswagen, the Amarok’s front-end features the new VW family face, characterised by the upper radiator grille with its two, chromed, horizontal lines that extend into the headlights. The lower part of the bumper has been fashioned after a sump guard, which serves to emphasis the vehicles 249 mm ground clearance. The four-door body style is conventional in its design, but a strong contour line, extending from the front bumper, underlining the side windows as well as the upper edge of the load area, adds muscle to the Amarok’s profile. In contrast to the Euro-centric front design, the rear-end features a chromed bumper with lower step plate – decidedly American in its design influence – while the tailgate folds down at a 90 degree angle, flat with the load bed, for easy access. The taillights are distinctive in the bakkie class and conform with the VW family’s new look when illuminated.

Size-wise, the VW Amarok is 5 254 mm long, 1 944 mm wide and 1 834 mm high, giving it a slightly stockier appearance than its competitors. Importantly though, the Amarok features the largest load area in its class, at 1 555 mm long, 1 620 mm wide and 780 mm high – enough space to accommodate most items, up to a maximum weight of 1 150 kilograms.

Further practicality comes from the bakkie’s maximum load width of 1 222 mm between wheel wells, which allows enough space for a Euro-spec pallet (1 200 mm x 800 mm) to be loaded for the first time on a mid-size bakkie. The load-bed also includes four tie-down points on either corner, a 12-volt power socket, as well as a rear-facing light – integrated with the high-level brake light – that conveniently illuminates the load area.

The interior of the new VW Amarok bakkie is well laid out. All Amarok models are equipped with height adjustable front seats, variable folding rear bench seat, load bed lighting, electrically operated windows and side mirrors, radio/CD-player, air-conditioning, cruise control and front fog lights. The ‘Highline’ models feature added luxury in the form of automatic climate control and an improved sound system, while exterior highlights include 17-inch alloy wheels, flared wheel arches, partial chrome covered side mirrors and various other chrome accents inside and out.

Head, leg and shoulder room are ample, while various storage trays – including under the front seats – provide the practicality associated with a bakkie. The interior materials are of good quality and solid build. The dashboard, for example, has been fashioned from hard and durable plastic, instead of the soft-touch type found in the new Polo and Golf – the Amarok is built tough.

The BiTDI engine produces 120 kW and 400 Nm of torque from a lowly 1 500 r/min. South Africans, traditionally, are lovers of big, beefy engines but, like it did with the 1,4-litre FSI engines in the Golf, VW is punting 2,0-litres with 3,0-litre power and torque – but with overall consumption of just 7.9 l/100km, enough to make many a passenger car green with envy. Despite the impressive power figures from the 2.0-litre engine though, on-road performance is more adequate than astounding. The BiTDI Amarok emits 208 g/km of CO2.

The Amarok is available with either a rear-wheel drive (4×2) or four-wheel drive (4Motion) drivetrain. Both drive trains have an Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), which operates by automatic braking interventions to prevent wheel spin, as well as ensuring power is applied to the wheel with the best traction. The 4Motion equipped Amarok benefits from a electronically switchable four-wheel drive system with locking rear differential. A short ratio 1st gear and low-range, together with the standard 6-speed manual gearbox, allows the vehicle to crawl over more rugged terrain. It boasts a maximum ascent angle of 45 degrees (which can be overcome with a full payload too), an approach angle of 28 degrees (front), exit angle of 23,6 degrees and breakover angle of 23 degrees.

Two rear suspension configurations are available and can be chosen at no extra cost. The standard rear suspension uses a stack of 3 leaf springs, designed to cope with majority of owners’ demands and capable of supporting 938 kg. A firmer ‘3 + 2? leaf spring configuration adds two extra springs and increases the maximum permissible weight over the rear axle to 1 137 kg. The leaf springs of the rear suspension were located next to the Amarok’s ladder frame chassis, instead of beneath it as is usual in this segment. This saves on valuable build height and enables a low layout of the load bed.

It also features ‘Off-Road ABS’, which serves to significantly reduce braking distance on loose road surfaces by locking the wheels briefly to build up dirt in front of the tyres and provide greater resistance. Ambling down steep or rocky descents is made easier with Hill Descent Assist (HDA), which is activated at speeds below 30 km/h and, in combination with the ESP system, applies the brakes to avoid unintended acceleration. In contrast, Hill Hold Assist ensures that the Amarok does not roll backwards on inclines when the brakes are released.

What we like…

• Well built and solid feel.
• Excellent ride quality for a bakkie.

What we would like…

• A prettier cup-holder than the flimsy-looking dash-mounted one.

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