2023 Volkswagen Amarok to maintain premium focus, no plans for single-cab or cab-chassis variants

The 2023 Volkswagen Amarok will arrive in Australian showrooms in early 2023, but single-cab or cab-chassis variants remain off the table.

Volkswagen Australia has confirmed the second-generation, Ford Ranger-based Amarok will exclusively launch in dual-cab, four-wheel drive ute guise in the first half of next year.

Local executives told media this week that the decision is in line with the sales mix for the first-generation model, with a large preference for the flagship V6 diesel variants.

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2023 Volkswagen Amarok to maintain premium focus, no plans for single-cab or cab-chassis variantsEditorSEO AnalysisCurrent version

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“We’re not going to play in the single-cab space. It’s not an area that we’ve typically, or historically, done well at. We’re just going to focus on 4x4 dual-cabs as our bread and butter,” said local Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles director Ryan Davies.

While Volkswagen has yet to unveil single-cab or cab-chassis versions of the new Amarok, official images filed to the European Patent Office reveal a stripped-back model with an unpainted front bumper and, presumably, halogen lighting.

A single-cab version of the previous Amarok was introduced in 2012, but was discontinued at the launch of its mid-life update – which saw the introduction of the V6 turbo-diesel – in 2016. A cab-chassis variant was available until 2019.

“For a start, the Ranger and Amarok are two significantly different vehicles, both from a styling perspective and when you look inside [at] the integration of technology and so on, but they also appeal to very different buyers,” said Volkswagen Australia spokesperson Dan DeGasperi.

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“Amarok is certainly going to be a more premium proposition, and that’s consistent with where [the previous-generation] Amarok sits and with the sort of buyers that we see purchasing an Amarok as well, who want that upper edge of premium feel,” added DeGasperi.

As previously announced, the next-generation ute will offer five grades in Australia, with the availability of a single- or twin-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel, the 3.0-litre V6 diesel, or an Amarok-first 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol.

The new trims are Amarok, Life, Style, PanAmericana and Aventura.

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These powertrains are shared with the Ranger, but only the diesel mills are offered on the Ford locally.

Of note, while the Ford Ranger has gone automatic-only, a six-speed manual transmission will be offered on the entry-level Amarok – joining standard features exclusive to flagship Ranger variants, such as LED headlights, a wireless phone charger and a trailer brake controller.

While a Ranger Raptor-rivalling variant with the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol V6 is unlikely, the marque’s partnership with Walkinshaw will continue for modified variants engineered locally.

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This opens the door for an Amarok W-Series with the four-cylinder petrol unit, joining units with the flagship diesel V6 powertrain.

Australian pricing and full details for the second-generation Amarok will be detailed in the coming months.

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