Volkswagen Amarok V6 to belt out 200kW

Volkswagen has announced its upgraded, Euro 6 emissions-compliant 3.0-litre turbo-diesel destined for the VW Amarok V6 will produce no less than 200kW on overboost.

That’s an extra 10kW over its standard 190kW output, and 20kW more than the existing 165Nm Amarok V6’s overboost figure of 180kW.

Crucially, along with 580Nm of torque, it means the most powerful Amarok engine will develop both more power and torque than the 190kW/550Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel in the upcoming Mercedes-Benz X 350d.

Volkswagen says the top-shelf Amarok V6 engine will make peak power between 3250 and 4000rpm, and maximum torque from as low as 1400rpm and extending to 3000rpm.

The news was confirmed overnight by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Europe, where the upgraded V6 TDI engine will power range-topping Amarok Highline and Aventura models.

Pictured here, the latter first appeared in concept form at last year’s Frankfurt motor show and comes with extras like a black roof liner, black nappa leather, body-coloured sports bar and new 20-inch ‘Talca’ wheels.

As we’ve reported, the Aventura will not be sold in Australia but the cleaner, more powerful EU6 diesel V6 will debut here in the range-topping Amarok Ultimate (which currently tops the range at $68,490 plus on-road costs).

Matched with 4MOTION permanent four-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, the 200kW Amarok Ultimate TDI580 is likely to top $70,000. The X 350d will cost around $80,000.

Volkswagen Australia has confirmed the 200kW V6 will then filter down to a new Highline Black Edition. The standard Amarok Highline is currently priced at $60,490 plus ORCs and, along with the entry-level $55,990 Amarok Sportline, remains powered by the existing EU5-compliant 180kW/550Nm engine.

However, motoring.com.au understands the Amarok’s standard TDI550 V6 will also be offered in base ‘Core’ equipment guise, which is currently available only with a four-cylinder twin-turbo 2.0-litre TDI engine and priced between $43,990 and $47,990 plus ORCs.

That should see the Amarok V6 priced from under $50,000 for the first time, further increasing the proportion of V6 sales, which already comprise about 70 per cent of Amarok sales in Australia.

Further afield -- as global emissions standards tighten, including in Australia where implementation of the EU6 standard is currently being considered by the federal government – the 200kW engine will become the sole V6 fitted across the Amarok range.

The 200kW Volkswagen Amarok Ultimate goes on sale in Australia -- the world's biggest export market for the Amarok -- in the third quarter of this year (by September), when Volkswagen Australia's commercial vehicles director Carlos Santos said it will continue to offer class-leading performance.

"As we've promised before, we have no intention of giving up the mantle of the most powerful ute in its class and are looking to offer the upgraded 200kW Amarok V6 later in the year," he said.