2025 VW Amarok imagined with Walkinshaw Performance tune

The Volkswagen Walkinshaw Amarok was a bit of a hit

As a testament to Australia’s love for performance, Volkswagen’s local arm partnered with Walkinshaw to produce 2600 examples over a 2021-2022 production run.

An encore based on the all-new 2024 Amarok is surely a shoo-in, then, with the only questions being how will it drive, what will it look like – and when can you have one?

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With VW previously touching on the long development process, a new Walkinshaw variant is unlikely to launch likely due until late 2024 or early 2025. Will the second collaboration feature more extensive mods?

Speaking with Wheels Media recently, a Volkswagen spokesperson said: “Walkinshaw, if you’ve seen the [outgoing Amarok], Walkinshaw – synonymous with HSV and the like – they really get Volkswagen design being more subtle, not lairy. They understand the brand, which is really important. It’s not going to be an over-the-top model.”

So, don’t expect something looking and sounding like an HSV? Got it. To that end, render-meister Theottle has delivered a new styling concept that could fit the bill.

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Our concept again channels off- rather than on-road performance

The most obvious change is the fitment of a snorkel, but look closer and there’s bigger driving lights with grilles below, less chrome around a more technical grille (in the same Wolfsburg-tribute parapet style), and fitment of a heavier bonnet protector than that currently on the VW options list.

The increased area of black plastic gives the front a taller, bluffer appearance, while cleaner and slightly more angular one-piece wheel arch flares look bold and refined.

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Changes at the rear are largely limited to deletion of the cabin/tray bars as seen on the PanAmericana and Aventura, for a cleaner lighter look. A chrome Walkinshaw badge adds a touch of bling.

Volkswagen Australia has not formally announced the new Walkinshaw model, but we expect to see something in the coming months if that late 2024 timeline comes through.

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As for power, our speculative concept wears a W580X graphic – but a W600 sticker might be more likely this time around, given the 600Nm of torque (and 184kW) its 3.0-litre turbo V6 diesel engine produces.

Despite the Amarok’s Ford Ranger relationship, we don’t expect to see the Raptor’s 292kW turbo petrol six offered – with Ford sure to keep that as an exclusive drawcard for its own line-up.