A midsize pickup could be the beginning of an electric version in the next decade.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles first teased the second generation Amarok in March 2020. The mid-size pickup truck, which will be the first to be revealed in the next generation of Amarok, has not been revealed even though it’s been shown many times over the years. The world premiere of the pickup truck is set for July 7, so the wait is almost over. The new ute is not an all-VW effort. It was developed using Ford’s T6 platform, which was developed from the 2022 Ranger.
The Blue Oval will also be responsible for production, assembling the redesigned Amarok at South Africa’s factory. VW made it clear that the new truck is more than a Ranger rebadged. The new truck, which measures 5,350mm (211in) in length and has its wheelbase extended by 125mm (5in) to 3,220mm (127in), will be considerably larger. It is larger than its predecessor. In an effort to improve the departure and approach angles, the rear and front overhangs will be decreased.
The Amarok was revealed after a lengthy teaser campaign. The Amarok will be available in four configurations: rear-wheel drive, full-time 4×4, or part-time 4×4. It also comes with a variety of 2.0-liter four cylinder engines, including one that can run on gasoline. The 3.0-liter V6-TDI will be the top-spec powertrain. The oil-burner will be a Ford-supplied unit that can produce 443 pound feet (600 Newton-meters of torque) and 247 horsepower (184 Kilowatts).
The new Amarok will feature high-end Panamericana or Aventura trims. It will also borrow Ford’s SYNC4 infotainment system. The base model will have 17-inch wheels, while the more expensive models will have 21-inch wheels. It is possible to make a plug-in hybrid Ranger, but it is more a matter when than if. Both trucks have purely electric derivatives.
The new Amarok will not replace the predecessor when it goes on sale towards the end of the year. To meet South American market demand, the 12-year-old truck will continue to be produced at Pacheco’s factory.