Volkswagen Amarok has landed

One of the most anticipated vehicles of the year has arrived and the Australian ute market has a new player.

German car maker Volkswagen has finally joined the booming ute market with the Amarok, a German engineered Argentinean-made vehicle named after a gigantic wolf in Inuit mythology.

Although the Amarok won't challenge the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton for outright ute market leadership, it will likely drive Volkswagen to another record year and steal sales from the top-end models of these mainstream brands.

In 2010, Volkswagen sold more vehicles in Australia than any year before it – overtaking the previous record set in 1963 when the company assembled Beetles and Kombis locally. In 2011 Volkswagen will not only repeat that effort, but have another sales spurt buoyed by the all-new Amarok as well as updated versions of the Jetta and Passat sedans, and Tiguan and Touareg softroaders.

"Of course we know the Amarok will be very successful, but our feet are on the ground," Volkswagen Australia boss Anke Koeckler told the Carsales Network, when asked about the vehicle's potential to overtake the Toyota Hilux. The Hilux was the top-selling vehicle in four states in Australia last year and ranked third nationally behind the Holden Commodore and Toyota Corolla and ahead of the Mazda3.

But given that utes are now the third biggest segment of the Australian new-car market, the Amarok will easily overtake the Transporter van as Volkswagen's biggest selling commercial vehicle – with fewer than 2000 Transporter sales last year, it was the third best-selling van nationally and first European – and likely become the second biggest selling model in the entire Volkswagen range.

"It will not overtake the Golf, Golf is always our number one, but the Amarok is right up there with the Polo and Tiguan. Maybe when we have the full line-up it could be number two," she said.

Volkswagen typically does not forecast sales numbers but to be the second biggest seller for the brand it would need to eclipse the 3000 sales of the Polo and 6000 sales of the Tiguan last year. VW sold more than 15,000 Golfs last year.

For now, the Amarok is available with a dual cab body, a 2.0-litre twin turbo diesel engine and a six-speed manual transmission only.

An automatic, likely to be a heavy duty eight-speed regular torque converter automatic gearbox, is not due until 2012, while a 2.0-litre single turbo four-cylinder petrol engine is not due until the end of 2011 or early 2012. A single cab ute will also join the line-up next year.

From $33,990 for a 2WD model and between $43,990 and $58,490 for the 4WD models, it is aggressively priced.

At $33,990 the 2WD Amarok is $1500 more than a basic Toyota Hilux diesel crew cab – but safer, better equipped, more economical and nicer to drive.

The $52,990 Highline 4WD Amarok, a likely rival for the Toyota Hilux SR5 or similar, is also safer, better equipped, more economical and nicer to drive than the Toyota – but is $700 cheaper.

"We know we have a competitive package, the biggest problem will be getting enough supply from the factory," she said.

With an average consumption rating of 7.9L/100km, the Volkswagen Amarok is narrowly more economical than the Toyota Hilux (8.2), and Mitsubishi Triton (8.3) diesels and well under the Nissan Navara (9.0).

The Amarok is also the first vehicle to be awarded five stars for crash safety by Australian NCAP although the vehicle was tested by Euro NCAP which last year awarded it only four stars (see separate story). The Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton, and Nissan Navara have four-star ANCAP ratings. Most other vehicles in the class have three or two star ratings (average and below average).

All four Amarok models come with a selectable heavy duty 4WD system that has low range, a locking rear differential and can shift from 2WD into 4WD while on the move. However, this system cannot be driven on sealed roads in 4WD.

The flagship 'Ultimate' model is available with a permanent all-wheel drive system (that can be driven on sealed roads) as a no cost option – but this does not have low range and instead relies on electronics to handle tough terrain.

This means that, to date, the Mitsubishi Triton GLX-R is still the only vehicle in its class with a selectable 4WD system that has low range and can be driven in 4WD on sealed roads.

Volkswagen Amarok facts and figures
Engine: 2.0-litre twin turbo diesel four-cylinder
Power:  120kW @ 4000rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 1500 to 2500 rpm
Consumption: 7.7L/100km (2WD), 7.9L/100km (4WD)

Ute tub dimensions: 1620mm (full width), 1222mm (between wheel arches), 1555mm (length), 508mm (height)
Entry, departure and ramp-over angles: 28, 23, 21 degrees (4WD models)
Towing capacity: 2800kg, ball weight 280kg
Payload: 980kg (comfort suspension), 1200kg (heavy duty suspension). Suspension choice is a no-cost option.

Equipment
Amarok: Four airbags, stability control, off-road ABS, five lap-sash seat belts, five height-adjustable headrests, 16-inch steel wheels, black front bumper, no rear bumper.
Trendline adds: 16-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers, mirror scalps, and door handles. Front fog lights, driver's seat storage tray, cruise control.
Highline adds: 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome bumpers, rear privacy glass, flared wheel arches, alarm.
Ultimate adds: 19-inch wheels, leather upholstery, stainless steel side rails, sports bar, alloy-look front scuff plate.

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