Premium price for Volkswagen's V6 Amarok

The first V6 diesel-powered VW Amarok to arrive in Australia later this year will have more torque than any other one-tonne ute on the market.

With peak power of 165kW from 3000-4500rpm and peak torque of 550Nm from 1500-2750rpm, the new V6 ute will outmuscle the Holden Colorado, which produces up to 500Nm from its four-cylinder engine.

It will also be the only V6 diesel available in the segment, since the axing of the Renault-sourced 170kW/550Nm 3.0-litre unit available in the previous generation Nissan Navara.

But it could also raise the bar for premium-priced utes, potentially topping the $60,090 Ford Ranger Wildtrack and current Amarok flagship, the Ultimate TDI420 that retails for $63,990. Volkswagen Australia is yet to reveal full details about local specs and pricing for the 2017, Amarok including the 3.0-litre V6, which will be fitted to top spec models. The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, bi-turbo engine will continue in lower spec models.

In Europe, the new V6 will replace the 2.0TDI engine in the Amarok as the four-cylinder engine no longer complies with the latest Euro 6 emission regulations in that region. From September the V6 will be rolled out in three states of tune – 120kW/450Nm, 150kW/500Nm and 165kW/550Nm.

Already available in the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 and VW Touareg among other Volkswagen Group models, the Amarok V6 features an overboost function that at full throttle delivers an extra 50Nm of torque between 3000-4500rpm.

With the eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time, single range 4WD system, it's capable of propelling the Amarok to a top speed of 193km/h. Volkswagen also claims that in automatic form, the high-output 165kW V6 will be about as efficient as the existing entry-level Amarok TSI340, with NEDC fuel consumption of just 7.6L/100km, corresponding to 199g/km of CO2.

However, that's despite the special launch edition model called the Aventura weighing a hefty 2330kg, or around 280kg more than the Ultimate TDI420. That's partially due to the 3.0-litre unit weighing 80kg more than the 2.0TDI. Bigger 17-inch front and 16-inch rear disc brakes also add 20kg to the top-spec Amarok.

Maximum gross weight (GVM) is 3080kg and towing capacity for Australia remains at 3000kg, due to this country being classified as a "hot climate market" by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Some variants in Europe can tow up to 3500kg.

Other changes, which include styling revisions inside and out, new speed-dependent hydraulic power steering and multi-collision automatic braking, are part of the first major update for the German ute since it launched in Australia in 2011.

Speaking at the international launch of the 2017 Amarok, Volkswagen Australia Commercial Vehicles boss, Carlos Santos, didn't rule out a cheaper, V6 Amarok going on sale down under in the future.

"We will take the 120kW if it becomes available to us," Santos said. "Wouldn't it be great in a V6 Core [cut-price special edition], we'd sell heaps."

However, he did point out that it made little sense if the 132kW/440Nm 2.0TDI currently available had a higher output than the base V6.

"Fuel consumption is better in the four-cylinder, so for fleet customers right now I want the two engines," he said.

In Australia, the 550Nm V6 will be available in Highline trim as well as the limited-edition Amarok Aventura which will stand out with a body-coloured sports bar, 20-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED licence plate lighting, illuminated side rails and a reversing camera with parking sensors and tyre pressure monitoring.

Inside, the Aventura will benefit from a new premium HD infotainment system with 16cm touch screen, multi-function leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, stainless steel pedal caps, nappa leather upholstery and 14-way power-adjustable ergonomic seats from the Volkswagen Passat.

The Aventura is available in exclusive blue metallic exterior colour as well as blue or grey matte paint, along with other options such as roof-mounted spotlights and a retractable aluminium roller tub cover. Volkswagen says it's working on an airbag-compatible factory bullbar.