AIMS: Petrol and diesel Amarok for launch

Volkswagen's new Amarok one-tonne utility will beat Mazda and Ford's new beaut utes to the market by up to six months -- and will arrive with a choice of drivetrains.

Unveiled in Sydney today, the full-size utility is a key launch for Volkswagen in Australia. Though demand in initial launch markets including South America has delayed its Australian launch until March 2011, the upside for Volkswagen Australia is it will be able to offer both petrol and diesel powerplants from day one.

A range of 2.0-litre powerplants will power the solely dual-cab Amarok launch range. Volkswagen will offer a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, as well as two 2.0-litre turbodiesels -- one a 120kW/400Nm twin-turbo version -- to local buyers.

All three engines will be matched to six-speed manual gearboxes. No automatic option will be offered on Amarok until 2012, Volkswagen Australia staffers revealed.

Volkswagen will also offer a choice of drivetrains from launch. In addition to a road-oriented two-wheel drive version, Amarok will be available in two distinct all-paw variants. For heavy-duty offroad use a 4x4 version will feature a dual-range transfer case. For users requiring more general all-wheel drive ability, a full-time 4MOTION single speed version will be launched.

Amarok may beat BT-50 and Ranger to more than the showroom. The new Volkswagen is expected to be the first vehicle in its class to earn five-stars in ENCAP crash testing, although unlike the Mazda/Ford twins the German vehicle does not feature curtain airbags or a rear vision camera among its expected suite of safety aids.

For our full coverage of the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney visit our minisite at carsales.com.au/aims

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