The Volkswagen Amarok is back, blending Ford Ranger DNA, more luxury and a higher price tag

Volkswagen is repeating its success with the launch of the second generation of its off-road pick-up, the Volkswagen Amarok, twelve years after the introduction of its first version. Having sold more than 830,000 units so far, the German brand is now offering this new generation, equipped with three diesel engines, including a powerful 3.0-litre six-cylinder. All of these engines are paired with a four-door crew cab and an all-wheel-drive system.

Three possibilities

The Volkswagen Amarok is back with its second generation German pick-up. It now shares the platform and engines with the Ford Ranger, although it took a bit longer to arrive and with a more limited model range.

Unlike the Ford Ranger, which is available in three body variants (two-door Super Cab, two-door Single Cab and four-door Double Cab), the Volkswagen Amarok is offered only as a four-door Double Cab.

The new version of the Amarok is 5.35 meters long, 1.91 meters wide and 1.87 meters high. Its wheelbase is 3.27 meters, which promises to improve off-road performance compared to the previous model.

Ford's new model has an increased depth, increasing from 500 mm to 800 mm, compared to its previous model. The body has an entry angle of 30º at the front, an exit angle of 23º and a ventral angle of 20º. As for the 4x4 traction system, the basic version is fitted with a rear differential lock as standard, while the other two versions available offer this option as an extra.

The entry-level model of the Volkswagen Amarok is simply called Amarok and comes with a 170hp 2.0 TDI engine paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. Above that, the Amarok Style also comes with a 2.0 TDI turbodiesel engine and manual transmission, but offers 215 hp (the same engine used by the previous Ford Ranger Raptor).

The Amarok Aventura represents the top-of-the-range option, equipped with a 241 horsepower 3.0 TDI V6 engine, always associated with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Either way, the turbodiesel engines come with a 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.

The starting price for the new Volkswagen Amarok is 49,010 euros, including all taxes, for the 170 horsepower Amarok variant. The Amarok Style version, with 215 horsepower, is available from 67,130 euros, while the Amarok Aventura, developing 241 horsepower, starts at 72,910 euros.

A very familiar rival

Compared to its American counterpart, the base Ford Ranger, equipped with the same 2.0 diesel engine as the entry-level Volkswagen Amarok, 4x4 traction and a six-speed manual transmission, is available from 44 306 euros.

Going up a notch, we find the 205 horsepower 2.0 EcoBlue version with a ten-speed automatic transmission, which starts at 55,936 euros including VAT. As for the Ranger V6 3.0 diesel of 240 horsepower with a ten-speed automatic transmission, it starts from 59,436 euros with VAT. Both models have a double cabin.

As for the wild Ford Ranger Raptor, equipped with a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 petrol engine developing 292 horsepower, it is available from 76,424 euros including VAT and has a configuration that is simply brutal.