It's big, strong, has seats for five and can go anywhere – but are there any builders left in Ireland to buy a VW Amarok?
Volkswagen has recently launched a very practical, '4Motion' four-wheel drive pick-up truck whose name means 'Wolf' in Inuit - to state the obvious, Amarok is a wolf in wolf's clothing. Featuring the largest load area in the double-cab class that can take a euro pallet sideways, Amarok is a significant machine for commercial users.
Available in Ireland as a five-seat double-cab (a single cab is also being built for other markets), Amarok is remarkably comfortable despite have the underpinnings from a cart! Okay, so I'm exaggerating a little, but the rear suspension springs are actually leaf springs - just like a horse cart's. The simple reason for the lack of car-like sophistication at the rear is load carrying. Most large vans and trucks use this simple and sturdy set-up, and with Amarok you get a design that can carry up to 1,135kgs or tow a trailer up to 2,800kgs (braked).
In the past my main criticism of double-cabs was the very poor turning circle – not so with the Amarok. It's no supermini, however, and is still quite long. There are no reversing sensors as standard in this tough category of vehicle, so the supermarket car park can be interesting to say the least.
The driving position and cabin space up front and in the rear are superb. The manual six-speed gearbox is precise if a little notchy between first and second. The chassis is powered along by a twin turbo 2-litre diesel with 163bhp and 400nm of torque (a smaller output 2-litre diesel is also made with 122bhp).
Selectable 4Motion all-wheel drive is the key to Amarok's go anywhere ability. In normal road driving Amarok uses rear-wheel drive (VW advises not to use the four-wheel drive setting on the road). Rear-wheel drive can be a scary proposition in any pick-up - especially if there is no weight in the back - but thanks to some excellent electronic driving aids you won't lose the back end unless you make a serious effort.
ESP, ABS, EDL (electronic diff-lock), ASR (anti-skid regulation), Hill Holder and Hill Descent means you don't have to have to be an expert 4X4 driver to make the Amarok go anywhere, including far off road. Of course Amarok features a 'high' and 'low' 4X4 gearbox (that is activated using switches beside the gearlever) as well as an EDL for when the going is really tricky off-road.
There are three familiar VW specification levels, with my test car a range-topping Highline model. The cabin is a lot posher than you'd think and features most of the creature comforts of VW cars, although why Bluetooth isn't standard, especially in a working vehicle, is beyond me! We already see too many drivers with phones held to their ears.
Amarok prices start at under €40,000. It is a very comfortable machine; quiet on the open road and comparatively economical, averaging under 8 litres of diesel per 100kms.
Amarok is truly an alternative to full-size SUVs for towing and carrying people on and off-road. Amarok owners will also have bragging rights with its Dakar Rally association.
As double-cab pickups go, Amarok goes to the top of the class.
Michael Sheridan
