New Volkswagen Amarok single-cab revealed

The single-cab version of the second-generation Volkswagen Amarok has been revealed for the first time at the global media launch of the new ute in South Africa this week.

Sporting a shorter cabin but longer tray than the dual-cab model that is headed for Australia in April 2023, the single-cab is set to become the price leader for Volkswagen’s new ute – overseas, at least.

The new Amarok single-cab is currently not on the product plan for Australia, with the vehicle’s 2023 line-up to consist only of dual-cab 4x4 models.

“We had a single-cab with generation one [Amarok] when we started out, which didn’t sell in great numbers for us,” says James Thompson, Vollkswagen Australia product marketing manager for Amarok.

“If we see a real demand for it we’ll reconsider in six to 12 months,” he says.

In other words, it hasn’t been ruled out, but it’s unlikely to be a high priority as the Amarok settles into life Down Under.

Like its competitors, the Amarok single-cab has only two doors and two seats, but it comes with a much larger load area.

The cargo bed is 2332mm long, which is a full 708mm – or 44 per cent – longer than that in the dual-cab.

While Volkswagen has long marketed that the Amarok can take a Euro pallet between its wheel-arches, it says the single-cab can fit two Euro pallets in its extended tray.

The sole model that was on display at the global media drive of the new Amarok was a sparsely equipped version that did without active safety systems such as a forward-facing radar and camera (to provide auto-braking functionality).

Clearly Volkswagen Australia would aim to appoint it more generously if it were to head Down Under.

Volkswagen said the single-cab would be available in markets outside Europe, although it did not specify which ones.

Another option to bring down the anticipated $50,000-ish starting price for the new Amarok – which arrives in dealerships in April 2023 – is 4x2 models.

Two-wheel drive is available in single- and dual-cab guises ex-factory, but they’re currently not on the VW Australia hit list at this stage either.

“The 4x2 market is so price-driven,” say Thompson. “It’s not an area where our sales have tended to be.

“It’s not to say that we’re not interested in it,” he said before adding: “we’re a dual-cab market and a 4x4 market… [that’s] where we see our real volume potential”.

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au