2023 Volkswagen Amarok exterior teased ahead of July 7 reveal

UPDATE, July 1, 2022: New Amarok exterior teased, reveal set for July 7

The new Volkswagen Amarok may only be one week away from its reveal, but that hasn't stopped the flow of teasers from rolling out.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has shown off the second-generation dual-cab's wheel and front guard design in its latest set of teasers, with the body shape borrowing heavily from the outgoing model despite its Ford Ranger underpinnings.

New design wheels fill the arches, while Volkswagen has also announced buyers will be given the choice of fitting all-terrain tyres as a factory-backed option for the first time, although it's unclear as to whether Australian customers can benefit from the offer.

As potentially the final round of teasers to be released, Volkswagen is now gearing up to reveal the Amarok in full next week, with the covers set to come off on July 7.

The story to here

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June 28, 2022: Amarok interior to use physical buttons

Volkswagen continues to drip-feed information about its new Amarok in the lead-up to its reveal next month.

The latest teaser provides a closer look at the controls for its infotainment and climate control system. Thankfully, unlike many of Volkswagen's passenger car range, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has reverted to physical buttons for a majority of the interior controls.

"Numerous new driver assist systems, including 20 that are new to the Amarok, call for clear structures to enable ease of use and precise adjustment," the manufacturer said.

"Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is using a mix of digital functions and ergonomically optimally-configured buttons and push/rotary switches in the Amarok that are intuitive to use."

The physical buttons control functions such as the parking systems, climate control and driving mode selection – all of which have to be accessed through sub-menus in cars like in the Mk8 Golf.

Volkswagen will officially take the covers off its new Amarok in just over a week on July 7.

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June 11, 2022: New Amarok previews infotainment

Another week, another look at the upcoming 2023 Volkswagen Amarok. This train ain't slowing down.

Following earlier looks at its exterior styling (and a very stylised sketch showing the cabin, scoll to the bottom of the story), this latest image reveals what we can expect from the new 2023 Amarok's infotainment: a bloody big screen.

No surprises there, of course, with the new Amarok based on Ford's new Ranger – and we already know that one has a huge screen too.

Importantly, it seems clear the Amarok will get its own unique dash design, adding a more VW-styled flavour to its interior.

Watch for the flood of teasers to continue in the lead-up to the new Amarok's reveal later this year.

Mike Stevens

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June 6, 2022: New 2023 Amarok teased again

The 2023 Volkswagen Amarok has been teased again ahead of its official reveal next month, with covers set to come off the second-gen ute on July 7.

Taking to Twitter, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles released a video which culminates in the tailgate of the Amarok being shown, with its name stamped into the metal.

We can also see a V6 badge on the bottom left-hand corner of the tailgate, showing this particular version is powered by the 3.0-litre ‘Lion’ V6 turbo-diesel, which will also power the Amarok's twin – the new Ford Ranger.

We're now just on one month out from the Amarok's reveal, having been teased for the past two years by Volkswagen as the German manufacturer's joint collaboration with Ford.

Read on below to find out what we know so far about the new Amarok.

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May 25, 2022: New 2023 Volkswagen Amarok teased in 'concept' form

A new preview for the upcoming 2023 Amarok has been handed down, this time coming in the form of a shadowy computer-generated video published to the LinkedIn profile of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles design boss Albert-Johann Kirzinger.

The video, embedded below and captured in a still image above, offers a decent look at the silhouette of Volkswagen's second-generation Amarok, which will share its architecture and much of its sheetmetal with the new 2023 Ford Ranger.

Mike Stevens

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For more on the new Amarok, see our evolving story below.

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2023 Volkswagen Amarok: new details revealed

It’s been a long time coming, but we can finally take our first look at the new 2023 Volkswagen Amarok – albeit in camouflage, thanks to a set of new photos released this week.

New details around equipment and specifications have also emerged, painting a solid picture of what we will see in the market towards the end of 2022 (at the earliest).

Designed and tested in both Australia and Germany, based on 2022 Ford Ranger underpinnings and manufactured in South Africa, the new-generation Amarok is an important vehicle for VW to get right.

With over 830,000 Amaroks sold to date in Europe, South America, South Africa and in the Oceania regions, according to Volkswagen, the key for future success revolves around engineering solid drive systems, high load-carrying capabilities, system functionality and a focus on off-road ability.

EXTRA: 2023 Volkswagen Amarok imagined

Using the photos in this story, we've had our brilliant rendering artist Theottle put together a pair of new images that we reckon offer the closest look yet at the new-gen Amarok.

Enjoy them here. The rest of this story continues below.

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The 2023 Amarok is bigger than before

The new Amarok is larger than the current model, including an expected longer wheelbase of 3270mm – an increase of 175mm. This means more space in the Amarok’s cabin, and a higher payload capacity now claimed to be 1200kg. The industry benchmark towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes is also said to be retained.

With a longer wheelbase, the new VW Amarok will have less overhang, providing a better approach and departure angle for improved off-road ability. Overall dimensions have been stretched to 5350mm too, which is an increase of 100mm in total length.

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2023 Volkswagen Amarok powertrains

Engine and gearbox options for the Australian market are yet to be confirmed, although Volkswagen have told us there will be a choice of one petrol engine and up to four different diesel engines globally – depending on the market.

This line-up will consist of four- and-six-cylinder engines, ranging in cubic capacity from 2.0 to 3.0 litres. And, again while not yet announced, it seems a safe bet to assume Australia will receive a V6 turbo diesel engine.

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New Amarok design, inside and out

On the styling front, it’s easy to see this isn’t just a bigger ute, but it’s bolder in design with a traditional VW upright design bonnet, upper bars across the radiator grille and narrow LED headlights that will be standard on all 2022 VW Amaroks.

Lighting upgrades can be further optioned with what Volkswagen is calling ‘IQ.Light – LED matric headlights’ which reportedly underline the Amarok’s high-tech look.

Regarding the styling inspiration for the new Amarok, Albert Kirzinger, Head of Design at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has this to say: “For the new generation we have significantly modified the Amarok’s archetypal design. It is now unambiguously more expressive and once again appreciably more impressive.

"The aerodynamic styling bar – a hoop that straddles the cargo box – serves as an optical elongation of the double cab into the box, emphasising the dynamic and solid proportions of the new Amarok bodywork.”

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The rear of the Amarok is a new design also, with LED lighting and a wide tailgate embossed with Amarok branding. Speaking of wide, yes, you can still fit a full-sized euro pallet sideways between the wheel arches, with tie-down points in the tub to secure bulky loads.

Interior styling and quality is also expected to take a leap beyond the current model Amarok, which has remained largely untouched since its original release back in 2010/2011.

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Expect some of the new Ford Ranger's tech (pictured above) to appear in the new Amarok

Safety technology is also improved, thanks to more than 30 driver assist systems, with over 20 of those being completely new additions to the Amarok range.

Just like the new Ranger, the interior will be largely digitally controlled, with a centrally mounted tablet-style infotainment display handling most of the vehicle’s day-to-day operations, and off-road modes.

Comfort has always been a strongpoint of the Amarok, as such this is said to be further enhanced with more space inside the cabin, as well as upgraded seating front and rear, with VW saying there will be ample space in the rear to seat three adults.

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Above: the new Ford Ranger's cabin

2023 Volkswagen Amarok trim grades

There will be five trim specifications available in the new Amarok range, starting with the entry-level model dubbed simply ‘Amarok’.

Next up the tree is the ‘Life’, followed by ‘Style’, leading up to the ‘PanAmericana’ (off-road character) and the ‘Aventura’ (on-road character).

It’s great to see manufacturers offering vehicles with off-road accessories from the factory, as well as more on-road focused models so you can choose what suits your needs best at the time of purchase.

Maximum wheel-size specification has also been announced, with offerings up to a very off-road unfriendly 21-inch (other wheel sizes are yet to be confirmed), however it appears all-terrain tyres will be offered from the factory, which is a positive sign. Fingers crossed we’ll still have access to 17-inch wheels – the industry standard for modern off-roaders, we reckon.

Pricing is yet to be announced; we will report on this and update as soon as further details emerge.

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