The all-new Volkswagen Amarok is here

This is the all-new Volkswagen Amarok, and the big news is that VW has collaborated with Ford to spawn both this and the new Ranger. 

That means the second-gen Amarok gets some familiar sounding engines. What’s available will depend on the market you’re buying in of course, but worldwide there’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesels with 148bhp, 168bhp, 201bhp and 206bhp. There’s also a 3.0-litre V6 diesel with 238bhp or 247bhp (again depending on your market) and a 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol V6 that makes a hefty 298bhp.

Gearbox options are similarly plentiful, with five- or six-speed manuals, a six-speed auto and a 10-speed auto all available. In most markets all-wheel drive will be standard and there’ll be two systems – one full-time and one part-time. All about the flexible working arrangements these days, aren’t we?

Fancy some more serious Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles numbers? The new Amarok will wade to 800mm compared to the previous iteration's 500mm. The wheelbase is 173mm longer but the whole truck is only 96mm longer, so the overhangs are reduced for better approach and departure angles. There are six different drive modes, it’ll tow up to 3.5 tonnes and payload in that rear bed is now 1.16 tonnes.

In the double-cab version you’ll be able to fit one Euro pallet back there, and in the single cab you can squeeze in two. Sensible enough for you?

VW describes the Amarok as an ‘on- and off-road all-rounder’, and there’ll be a few trim levels to reflect that. Standard will be ‘Amarok’, ‘Life’ and ‘Style’, but then there’ll also be two top-spec versions - ‘Aventura’ (road-biased) and ‘PanAmericana’ (off-road biased).

The most expensive versions will get ‘over 20 new driver assist systems’ and LED matrix headlights, with wheels of up to 21-inches available.

Inside there are clear Ranger carryovers, with the option of a giant 10- or 12-inch table for the central infotainment system. At least we’re seeing some proper buttons in a modern VW though. Maybe the car builders will follow Commercial Vehicles’ lead?

Want to go full adventure spec? There’ll be plenty of accessories including a bike holder, manual or electrically-operated roll covers and a hardtop for the cargo bed. VW will also offer a bull bar, extra underbody protection, snorkels and even a roof tent. 

What do we think, pickup fans?