Volkswagen Amarok pricing leaks

Volkswagen will pit its new Amarok Ute squarely against the market leading Toyota HiLux on price as well as performance and practicality. Although there has been no official comment from VW, well placed sources have told the Carsales Network that the company will go as close as possible to match the price of HiLux.

The German company has made no secret the popular Japanese model has been the benchmark during development of the Amarok. However, because the HiLux is built in Thailand -- a country with a free trade agreement with Australia -- it was expected the Amarok would struggle to match the Toyota in the price department.

Our sources confirmed that VW will offer 4x2, 4x4 and 4MOTION variants of the Amarok when it goes on sale in the second half of 2010. Although final specifications haven't been confirmed, our snout said the company will be offering a base-level workhorse and more lifestyle-orientated models.

That means pricing for the 4x2 Amarok in base spec is likely to start around the mid-$30,000 range and stretch up to the low-$50,000 mark for the well-equipped 4x4 model.

The decision to offer the 4MOTION model locally will give Volkswagen a unique proposition in the Ute segment. It will offer buyers the flexibility of an all-wheel drive system, without the low-range system from the more robust 4x4.

As revealed in our earlier news story the Amarok will be available with both the single and bi-turbo diesel engines, already found in the T5 Transporter range. Our source also indicated that the 118kW petrol engine will arrive early in 2011, most likely with the single-cab variants.

What hasn't been confirmed yet is when the automatic transmissions will join the range. Although the Transporter uses a new seven-speed dual-clutch (DSG) gearbox that is suitable for the Amarok engines, it is not decided yet whether or not to go with a DSG or a traditional torque converter.

Volkswagen's decision to buy into Suzuki could also have a knock-on effect for Amarok production in the future. VW Commercial boss Stephan Schaller admitted that the company is considering plants in South East Asia as a future manufacturing site for the Ute, if demand outstrips what the current Argentinean factory can supply. 

Click here to read our special first drive of the Amarok in Argentina.

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