New Volkswagen Amarok to out-spec Ford Ranger

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Australia has revealed more details about the new 2023 Volkswagen Amarok ute line-up before its local release by March next year, including standard equipment highlights and powertrain details for each model grade.

And the big news is Volkswagen will aim directly at its development partner Ford by offering most of the new Amarok range with more equipment than the equivalent Ranger, although prices are yet to be announced and they’re likely to eclipse Ford’s.

Indeed, while global Volkswagen executives have promised the new Amarok will be price-competitive in its segment, they acknowledged the figures will be reflective of equipment levels and that Ford will have no say at all in how the German brand’s new ute is positioned.

Starting at the bottom of the range, the eponymous Amarok will roll on 17-inch alloy wheels straight out of the box and feature LED headlights, power-folding wing mirrors, a towbar with integrated brake controller, tub tie-down ring, illuminated tray and a manual tailgate lock.

Drivers are greeted in the cabin by an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster along with a 10-inch infotainment touch-screen system featuring Bluetooth, DAB digital radio, smartphone mirroring, four-speaker sound, single-zone climate-control air-conditioning, manually adjustable front seats, cloth upholstery and a wireless charging pad.

Despite being the base model, headline safety equipment includes tyre pressure monitoring, intelligent speed-limiter, speed sign recognition, connected services, adaptive cruise control, a multi-collision braking system, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and centre airbag.

Just like the equivalent Ford Ranger XL, the ‘Amarok’ will be powered exclusively by 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine developing 125kW/405Nm, with transmission duties provided by either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.

Unlike the Ranger, however, no 4x2 or single-cab variants will feature as part of the initial line-up, with even the most affordable Amarok set to feature a selectable 4x4 system and locking rear differential regardless of transmission choice.

The 2023 Volkswagen Amarok Life will similarly only be powered by a four-cylinder diesel engine, however, in this case it’s the 154kW/500Nm 2.0-litre biturbo unit.

The increased power and torque will be sent to the ground exclusively via a 10-speed automatic transmission and a selectable 4x4 system.

Things step up in terms of equipment both inside and out, with the Life sporting body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and door-handles, as well as LED foglights, puddle lamps, locking wheel nuts for the 17-inch alloys and a remote locking tailgate.

Extra toys within the cabin will comprise a six-speaker sound system, more adjustment for the front seats, privacy glass, leather steering wheel and gear lever, floor mats, automatic lights and wipers, electronic parking brake, front parking sensors, blind spot monitoring and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

All of these features and more come standard on the Style, which fittingly ups the cosmetic ante with 18-inch alloys, chrome exterior trim, Matric LED headlights (IQ.Light) and stainless steel sports bars.

The sharper exterior look is backed up by a more lavish interior sporting ArtVelour seat trim, a 12-inch infotainment interface with sat-nav, a bigger 12-inch digital cockpit, heated front seats with power-adjustment for the driver, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, keyless entry and start, 360-degree camera and park assist.

In terms of mechanicals, the Style’s default powertrain will be the same four-pot biturbo-diesel configuration as the Life, but consumers will also have the option to specify the new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 – as per the equivalent Ford Ranger XLT.

The Ford F-150-sourced unit delivers 184kW/600Nm to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic and a full-time 4x4 system.

Volkswagen has confirmed to carsales a ‘Style Highline’ variant will also be offered Down Under, featuring all the same kit as the regular Style but with genuine leather seat upholstery.

The V6 the takes over as the default powerplant for both the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana and Aventura flagships, however, the two differ in a few key spec areas to reflect their different target audiences.

Touted as the off-road hero of the bunch, the PanAmericana’s black 18-inch alloys are wrapped in chunkier all-terrain tyres and complemented by a series of black body parts including the ‘X-Design’ bumper, mirrors, door-handles, side steps, sports bars and decals.

Its position at the top of the tree is hammered home by the LED tail-lights, soft tonneau cover, roof rails, spray-in bed liner, ‘Cricket’ leather seat upholstery and trim, eight-speaker premium sound system, power-adjustable front seats and black headliner.

Most of this gear translates across the to the Aventura, however, the urban flagship flaunts 21-inch alloys, chromed bumpers, mirrors, door-handles and side step trim, sailplane sports bars and an electric roller cover.

The interior is largely the same as the PanAmericana’s, albeit with ‘Savona’ leather upholstery, but the Aventura does have an ace up its sleeve in terms of a second engine option; a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol – something available in the Ranger in the US but not Australia.

Derived from the Ford Mustang and now-defunct Ford Focus RS, the force-fed 2.3 churns out 222kW/452Nm – enough to make the Aventura the most athletic ute this side of a twin-turbo petrol V6-powered Ford Ranger Raptor.

“Since the Amarok was globally revealed four weeks ago Volkswagen dealers have been beset by inquiries and customers intent on placing deposits,” Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Director Ryan Davies said.

Volkswagen says second-generation Amarok production for Australia will commence in October, ahead of first local customer deliveries in the first quarter of 2023. It adds that more frequent shipping from its new production source in South Africa will reduce shipping times by four weeks compared to the original Amarok, which continues to be produced in Argentina.

Check out the table below – supplied by Volkswagen – to see how exactly how the new Amarok Style and Aventura compare to the equivalent Ford Ranger XLT and Wildtrak in terms of standard equipment.

Ford Ranger XLT v Volkswagen Amarok Style standard equipment:

Ford Ranger Wildtrak v Volkswagen Amarok Aventura standard equipment:

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