Apprentice-built Amarok V6 tackles World Time Attack Challenge

With a 165kW and 550Nm diesel engine at its disposal, the ‘Big Bad Wolf’ Volkswagen Amarok has managed to lap Eastern Creek in less than two minutes.

The 1:57.01 lap time comes thanks to the Volkswagen Modern Apprenticeship team which stripped the Amarok down and made a few modifications while leaving the engine completely stock.

A chunk of weight was removed through the process, and a custom-built suspension package dubbed 'The Big Bad Wolf' by engineers at Bilstein was installed. AP Racing brakes and semi-slick Michelin tyres were also added.

The Amarok’s driver, Ben Porter, took a few laps to first meet the 1:59 target, which had been set by a stock VW Golf GTI, but eventually managed to beat it by two seconds.

"It's fantastic that this team of young apprentices not only met the challenge head-on, but far surpassed it on the track," VW PR manager and project lead Kurt McGuiness says.

"It's important for us at Volkswagen to offer unique learning experiences to our apprentices. Our Big Bad Wolf Amarok track car is not only an example of our superior engineering, it's also a way for us as a business to support the lifeblood of our industry in Australia."

VW commercial vehicles director Carlos Santos adds that the Amarok is the pride of the commercial vehicle fleet in terms of power for VW.

"Thanks to this incredible team of Volkswagen apprentices, we've been able to show just how much power is under the hood of the Amarok – 550Nm is great for towing a boat or caravan; and now we can add smashing lap times to that list."