Need to head off-road? Though you could possibly purchase a ute and head on to your nearest aftermarket provider searching for extra functionality, carmakers at the moment are going all-out to supply related performance from the manufacturing unit, and with the surety of a full guarantee.
Volkswagen has dabbled with the thought earlier than due to the enter of Australian specialists Walkinshaw, however it’s taken issues in-house with the second-generation Amarok this time round. The result’s the 2024 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana.
With a more durable look, extra rugged inside, and a few {hardware} aimed toward going deeper into the wilderness than the luxurious Amarok Aventura, consider this as Volkswagen’s tackle a Toyota HiLux Rogue or Ford Ranger Wildtrak.
At $76,000 earlier than on-road prices, it’s not low-cost – however the PanAmericana is likely to be the neatest choose within the Amarok line-up.
How does the Volkswagen Amarok fare vs its rivals?
View an in depth breakdown of the Volkswagen Amarok in opposition to equally sized automobiles.
Volkswagen
Amarok
How a lot does the Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana TDI600 value?
The Amarok PanAmericana sits between the Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 ($73,590) and Wildtrak X 2.0 ($76,890).
Within the Toyota HiLux world, it’s dearer than the range-topping GR Sport ($73,990 earlier than on-roads), and is pricier than even the most costly Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain ($67,500 earlier than on-roads) or Mazda BT-50 Thunder ($73,945 earlier than on-roads).
Volkswagen Amarok pricing:
- Volkswagen Amarok Core 2.0 TDI405 4Motion 6AT: $52,990
- Volkswagen Amarok Life 2.0 TDI500 4Motion 10AT: $56,990
- Volkswagen Amarok Fashion
- 2.0 TDI500 4Motion 10AT: $66,990
- 3.0 TDI600 4Motion 10AT: $70,990
- Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana 3.0 TDI600 10AT: $75,990
- Volkswagen Amarok Aventura
- 3.0 TDI600 4Motion 10AT: $79,990
- 2.3 TSI452 4Motion 10AT: $79,990
Costs exclude on-road prices
What’s the Volkswagen Amarok like on the within?
Behind the wheel there are some actually attention-grabbing trims and finishes that make the PanAmericana stand out from the remainder of the Amarok vary.
From the rough-grain brown leather-based to the baseball glove-style stitching, it’s a novel tackle the off-road ute system, and one that actually separates the Amarok from the carefully associated Ford Ranger.
The basics are the identical right here as in the remainder of the Amarok line-up, nevertheless. Meaning entrance passengers sit excessive in generously padded seats, and there’s sufficient adjustment within the seats and leather-trimmed wheel for tall or quick drivers to get snug.
Many of the supplies are good sufficient to take a look at and contact, however the plastic trim items flowing from the dashboard into the transmission tunnel are fairly scratchy throughout the vary, not to mention on this close to range-topper.
On the expertise entrance, the Amarok is generally good. The vertical touchscreen begins quick, has crisp graphics and identifiable fonts, and has wi-fi telephone mirroring – however falls into among the traps afflicting different Volkswagen Group merchandise.
There are not any dials for the local weather management, for instance, so it’s essential to take your eyes off the highway and prod on the display screen twice to alter the temperature, and there are many sub-menus if you begin diving into the driving force help screens.
Ford has already rolled out a software program replace to the Ranger and Everest with a aim of lowering button presses; and it wouldn’t harm Volkswagen to do the identical right here. What VW presents right here is robust, in actual fact it’s not far off being glorious, however larger icons and a wiser structure can be welcome in a couple of locations.
The Amarok is lacking is the app connectivity you get from the Ford Ranger, which is a disgrace. With the ability to take a look at the symptoms and lights on a trailer from the surface of the automobile utilizing an app, for instance, could be very helpful, as is the flexibility to manage your zone lighting.
The digital instrument show is standout, nevertheless. It seems to be trendy, and presents the fitting mix of knowledge and legibility. The splashy graphics if you change drive modes add a touch of aptitude, and the actual fact no Ranger besides the Raptor and Wildtrak X have the identical full-sized digital dashboard because the Amarok is a tick for Volkswagen.
Storage areas abound up entrance. There are cupholders on the transmission tunnel, a wi-fi telephone charger underneath the sprint, and a deep central bin.
Nonetheless, the trailer brake controller makes it tougher to place a telephone in that charger, and means the USB-A and USB-C ports are recessed to the purpose of being exhausting to achieve. A flip-top bin above the glovebox options ridges to cease telephones sliding round, too.
As for the rear seats? They’re a significant enchancment on what was on provide within the final Amarok, which Volkswagen says was a key precedence when growing the second-generation automobile.
Leg room and head room are improved, though they’re par for the category slightly than standout. The elevated rear bench will do wonders in case your children are vulnerable to carsickness, and the inclusion of air vents will little doubt be welcome throughout sizzling Australian summers.
ISOFIX factors function on the outboard rear seats, and there’s a trio of top-tether factors for youngster seats. There are not any rear USB ports, nevertheless.
Anybody who desires to suit a baby seat will have to be affected person. As is the case in most of those dual-cab utes, the actual fact the highest tether level is up in opposition to the rear bulkhead makes it exhausting to connect a finicky seat anchor.
The tray nonetheless options house for a pallet between the arches, and has as much as six tie-down factors. Naked metallic, a plastic tub liner, and a spray-in mattress liner are provided relying on the mannequin, and the range-topping Aventura has a powered curler cowl that may be operated from the important thing.
The tailgate incorporates a torsion bar, making it simpler to open than it in any other case would’ve been.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The TDI600 packs a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel shared with the Ranger, making 184kW of energy and 600Nm of torque, mated with a 10-speed automated and full-time four-wheel drive.
Meaning, not like in Bi-Turbo fashions, you’re capable of run on sealed surfaces with the safety of four-wheel drive with out differential binding.
Claimed gas financial system is 8.4 litres per 100km on the mixed cycle, and the gas tank holds 80 litres. We noticed 9.4 litres per 100km over every week of combined driving.
How does the Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana TDI600 drive?
The off-road oriented Amarok is fairly rattling good to drive on the highway.
Volkswagen presents two suspension tunes within the Amarok; the PanAmericana has a stiffer setup than the lower-end Core, Life, and Fashion, and is as a substitute aligned with the range-topping Aventura.
Somewhat than combining that with massive, SUV-like wheels although, the PanAmericana has 18-inch wheels wrapped in tyres that includes wise sidewalls.
On the highway, it’s properly settled by dual-cab ute requirements, together with over small metropolis bumps, the place there’s only a trace of bouncing from the rear axle if you’re not carrying a load. Potholes and pace bumps gained’t shake your fillings unfastened on this VW.
With that stated, it’s nonetheless not as snug as a devoted household wagon or four-wheel drive. As is the case with all of the utes we take a look at, even a refined work car remains to be a piece car at coronary heart.
In comparison with the final mannequin, the brand new Amarok has gentle steering that makes it simple to park in tight locations. Outward imaginative and prescient is superb, the cameras are clear, and the V6 engine can be easy and torquey at low speeds.
The engine traces its roots to Land Rover, slightly than the broader Volkswagen Group like the three.0-litre within the final Amarok. Its outputs aren’t an enormous leap ahead, however together with the usual 10-speed automated the brand new engine feels extra easy, extra of the time.
That performs out with a satisfying surge of efficiency from under 2000rpm if you lean on the accelerator, and stable in-gear response at freeway speeds.
It doesn’t have to work as exhausting as the two.0-litre engine possibility from lower-end fashions if you’re in a rush, and if you want it to dig deep you’re instantly conscious there’s a better ceiling on what it may well do. The inclusion of full-time four-wheel drive additionally elevates the PanAmericana above Bi-Turbo variations.
Even for those who’re not off-roading, rear-wheel drive dual-cab utes on off-road oriented tyres are typically a bit sketchy on moist tarmac. Flicking the Amarok PanAmericana into 4A solves that drawback.
Off-road, the PanAmericana is succesful, with out going so far as a Toyota HiLux GR Sport or Ford Ranger Wildtrak X. The extra rugged wheels and tyres provide an additional diploma of means in comparison with an Aventura, and the off-road {hardware} makes going exploring comparatively idiot-proof.
Every thing you do with the four-wheel drive system is clearly signposted on the dashboard, making it simpler for nervous drivers to know what’s occurring underneath the pores and skin.
Volkswagen factors to the Amarok’s improved floor clearance (235mm), wading depth (800mm), method and departure angles (30 and 25.6 levels) as proof of its off-road means. In the actual world, it’s each bit as succesful as its important dual-cab rivals.
What do you get?
Amarok Core highlights:
Exterior
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Entrance disc, rear drum brakes
- Locking rear differential
- Electrical folding facet mirrors
- Aspect steps
- Mud flaps
- 2 x entrance tow hooks
- Metal underbody safety
- Plastic gas tank safety
- Tow bar
- 12-pin trailer plug
- Black facet mirrors, door handles
- Manually locking tailgate
- 6 x tie-down factors in tub
- Exterior tie-down rails
- Cargo field LED lighting
- Computerized LED headlights
- Rain-sensing window wipers
- Computerized high-beam
- Halogen tail lights
Inside
- 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- 4-speaker sound system
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto (wired, wi-fi)
- DAB+ digital radio
- Wi-fi charger
- Single-zone air-conditioning
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Plastic steering wheel
- Vinyl flooring
- Gray headliner
- Cloth upholstery
- 6-way guide driver seat
- 4-way guide entrance passenger seat
Amarok Life provides:
- Rear disc brakes
- LED entrance fog lights
- Physique color facet mirrors and door handles
- Heated, power-folding facet mirrors with puddle lamps
- Locking wheel nuts
- Tailgate raise help
- Energy tailgate lock
- Privateness glass
- 6-speaker sound system
- E-shifter
- Electrical park brake
- Leather-based steering wheel
- Carpet flooring
- 8-way guide entrance seats
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
Amarok Fashion provides:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Chrome facet mirrors and door handles
- Plastic tub liner
- Stainless-steel sports activities bar
- 12V socket in tub
- LED matrix headlights
- LED tail lights
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Rear air vents
- Insulated windshield
- Keyless entry and push-button begin
- Alarm system
- Leather-based-look dashboard and door inserts
- ArtVelour microfibre upholstery
- Heated entrance seats
- 10-way electrical driver’s seat
- Encompass-view digital camera
- Park Help
Amarok PanAmericana provides:
- 18-inch black alloy wheels
- All-terrain tyres
- Dynamic suspension
- Black facet mirrors and door handles
- Panamericana decal
- Black sports activities bar and steps
- Mushy tonneau cowl
- Roof rails
- Spray-in tub liner
- 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
- Black headliner
- Leather-based upholstery
- Powered passenger seat
Is the Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana TDI600 secure?
The Volkswagen Amarok was awarded a five-star ANCAP security ranking in opposition to the 2020-2022 testing protocols.
Commonplace security tools contains:
- 9 airbags
- AEB incl. Pedestrian, Bicycle owner detection
- Lane-keep help
- Swerve Steer help
- Adaptive cruise management
- Clever Pace Limiter
- Pace signal recognition
- Reversing digital camera
- Entrance, rear parking sensors
- Tyre stress monitoring
Amarok Life provides:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go
Amarok Fashion provides:
- Encompass-view cameras
- Park help
How a lot does the Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana TDI600 value to run?
The Amarok is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee like the broader Volkswagen vary.
Logbook servicing is required each 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
The primary 5 companies are priced at $329, $329, $414, $329, and $400, respectively – totalling $1801. Volkswagen Australia additionally presents a five-year Care Plan which prices $1800.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana TDI600
The PanAmericana is a usually polished, Volkswagen tackle the off-road oriented ute system.
As we already know, the turbocharged V6 diesel packs a wholesome punch, and the addition of full-time four-wheel drive is welcome on moist roads for those who’re towing.
It doesn’t go as far off the highway as a HiLux GR Sport or a Ford Ranger Wildtrak X, however the trade-off for that may be a extra refined drive on common roads. It’s nicely balanced, maybe greater than the Aventura with its outsized wheels and posh chrome trim.
That is the Amarok we’d be shopping for.
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