2023 Volkswagen Amarok revealed

The wait is over, and the new 2023 Volkswagen Amarok has been revealed globally - this is what it will actually look like.

The new 2023 VW Amarok has been one of the most anticipated and drawn-out vehicle releases of late, with a steady supply of information and images leaked over the last few months; however, we’ve not been able to identify exactly what the next generation Amarok will look like.

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 revealed

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This has all just changed, the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok has just been revealed globally, with fresh information and images of the final production vehicle made available to media and the public.

If you would like to watch said reveal, you can check it out HERE.

Volkswagen is calling the 2023 Amarok the best ever Amarok for its customers. It will be available in both single and dual-cab variants, as well as in rear-wheel-drive, and four-wheel-drive configurations.

It is produced in South Africa, with significant engineering and development input from Australia, with Volkswagen saying it has been designed with the Australia, Africa, Asian and European markets in particular, as well as New Zealand and the Middle East.

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This new Amarok took four years of project work to reach production, with over three years spent at a special design studio in Melbourne, Australia, designing the vehicle.

Based on the next generation Ford Ranger T6.2 platform, the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok is bigger, both in width and length. The wheelbase has been extended, and the overall aesthetics significantly beefed up compared the outgoing model.

It is 10cm longer than the previous generation, with both a longer wheelbase and cabin providing more interior space especially in the back seat. Despite the longer dimensions, the front and rear overhang has been reduced, providing better clearance for off-road work.

The payload has been increased to 1200 kilograms, and the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok retains a 3500kg towing capacity.

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Interior wise, the 2023 Amarok has been completely overhauled, and, as you’d expect, is rather premium-looking. Featuring a large centre-mounted infotainment screen, it also has physical buttons to control interior features – as well as various off-road drive modes.

Long gone are the days of low-spec interiors in utes, with a growing trend towards luxury workhorses that are exceedingly popular both in the suburbs and on job sites.

Whilst based on the new Ford Ranger, the Amarok features unique interior and exterior designs to separate it from the Ranger. A 10- or 12-inch centre-mounted infotainment screen can be found on all 2023 Amaroks, the size depends on which specification, with the lower grade variants receiving the smaller 10-inch screen.

VW describes the interior design as highly functional, and it must be said this new look is definitely an improvement on the previous generation – which was absolutely showing its age.

Five trim specifications have been confirmed, these are as follows: Amarok which is the entry level offering, Life, Style, PanAmericana with off-road focused accessories and credentials, and finally the Aventura as a more upmarket, on-road-biased, model.

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At the back of the 2023 Amarok, the tub looks to be massive in size, and can still carry a pallet between the wheel arches, there are both manually or electronically controlled roller covers available to provide security and ensure your load is covered.

The Amarok will also have an automatic handbrake, which they say is a benefit when four-wheel driving. LED tail-lights have been confirmed for the rear lights, and slim designed LED headlights too.

Volkswagen has also confirmed there will be up to five different engines offered globally, all of which will be turbocharged. There are three 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines producing between a claimed 110kW and 154kW, there is also a higher output 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine with a claimed output of between 177kW and 184kW.

Lastly, a 2.3L turbocharged petrol engine producing a claimed 222kW of power. A 10-speed automatic transmission replaces the previous 8-speed gearbox, and there is the option of a 6-speed automatic gearbox as well as a five and six speed manual gearbox depending on engine selection.

There are two different four-wheel drive systems available, with the 4MOTION all-wheel drive systems now. One is selectable all-wheel drive based on the terrain you are driving, the second being permanent all-wheel drive.

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Safety wise, there are over 20 new driver assist systems found in the 2023 model, including Adaptive Cruise Control – which VW says incorporates road signs into the automatic control of speed via camera scans. There are also up to six different driving profiles (drive modes), allowing the driver to dial in settings for technical off-road driving or when navigating slippery terrain for example.

Pricing is yet to be announced for the Australian market; however we will update this article with any additional information as it happens.

The 2023 Amarok is currently in production, with the market introduction in Australia expected for early next year.

No more renders or sketches – we now know what the 2023 VW Amarok looks like, we’d love to know your thoughts on it though.

Is the 2023 VW Amarok what you’d thought it would be, and are you considering purchasing one for your next four-wheel drive dual-cab ute? Leave us a comment below!

2023 Volkswagen Amarok dimensions

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