2023 Volkswagen Amarok: Designed and developed right here in Australia

The 2023 Volkswagen Amarok has been developed with the Australian market in mind, aiming to take on the biggest players in the dual-cab segment.

Revealed globally last night, the second-generation Amarok is now based on the same T6.2 platform which underpins the upcoming Ford Ranger, although Volkswagen has done its fair share of development to make its dual-cab into a unique offering.

While production of the Amarok will be undertaken in South Africa, Australia's automotive industry had a big role to play getting the new model off the ground.

December 7: NEW AMAROK DRIVEN! Words & Video

We've finally driven the new-gen 2023 Volkswagen Amarok, with Jez jetting (Jet jezzing?) to South Africa for a world's-first spin in the new ute. Get our full story below.

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2023 Volkswagen Amarok: Designed and developed right here in Australia

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Not only did Ford's local team contribute heavily to the development of the T6.2 platform, but Volkswagen's Australian outpost added engineering and development input, making sure the Amarok can compete in a market which includes four utes in the top 10 best-selling models list.

Over three years of work by the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Design Studio in Melbourne went into the creating the new Amarok's looks, with project head Gu-Han Kim saying the Australian connection is essential to the model's global success.

"More than three years ago, a local team came to Melbourne to work on the design and the vehicle and to do our part on delivering the best product for our customers,” said Kim.

“Working on the Amarok here Down Under was truly inspirational because the Australian pick-up market is huge, you can find pick-ups everywhere, they're part of the normal streetscape and customers use them for all kinds of purposes.

“Travelling in Australia often means driving far distances and our Amarok is the perfect driving machine – on city roads or long highway trips it will take you safely and comfortably to your destination, and if you explore Australia outside the city in more remote parts of the country you will find kilometres of unsealed roads, gravel roads and dirt roads that can be challenging to drive on, but of course they are no issue if you drive the Amarok."

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Kim acknowledged booming local demand for vehicles which are just as capable off-road as they are on it, reflected in the new Amarok's extended wheelbase over its predecessor – which gives more space in the cabin, but shorter front and rear overhangs aid its off-road credentials.

“[...]Here in Australia, there are a lot of pick-up drivers who love to go off-road. They push their 4x4 vehicles to the limits and again the Amarok is perfect for that," Kim added.

“Climbing up steep hills, crossing rivers with knee-deep water, driving along the beach; no matter what the Amarok will take you anywhere.

“While the Amarok has this tough and rugged character, it always looks great in any situation. For example, if you drive to your favourite restaurant after a long working day or you could even park it in front of the Opera House and our premium pick-up will blend in with no effort.

“The Amarok is the right car at the right time, the best pick-up with the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle logo ever made and of course it's not only made for Australia – with its stunning design, strong specs and driving abilities this car is ready to impress customers all over the world.

“I'm sure that the pick-up fans out there are as excited as we are to see the car on and off the road very soon.”

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It's expected the local Amarok will utilise the three turbo-diesel engines on offer in the next-gen Ranger – two 2.0-litre, four-cylinder units producing 125kW/405Nm and 154kW/500Nm respectively as well as a 3.0-litre V6 making 184kW/600Nm – while a 2.3-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine will also join the fleet, making 222kW.

We anticipate the Volkswagen Amarok to launch in Australia early next year, with pricing and features for the ute to be announced closer to its local arrival.

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