Volkswagen Amarok V6 Core: 2019 4x4 of the Year contender

THE Amarok V6 Core is Volkswagen’s version of a stripped-out budget ute, and it’s the third cheapest vehicle in this year’s competition; behind the Mahindra and SsangYong.

Ample grunt is generated from that 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine, with 165kW (180kW on overboost) and 550Nm (at just 1500rpm) available, and it runs through a slick eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

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The Core’s full-time 4x4 system is an obvious bonus and excels on wet roads and trails. The centre diff locks automatically, too, so you can just sit back and get on with the job at hand.

Good wheel travel and visibility is negated by a low wading depth of only 500mm, but plenty of aftermarket support can help overcome this issue.

The V6 Core has a 3500kg towing capacity, a maximum payload of 989kg, well-positioned tie-down hooks and enough gap between the wheel arches to fit a full-size pallet.

For $50,990 drive-away you’re getting plenty of bang for buck, which could sway the title in the way of the German marque.

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