Volkswagen reveals Amarok-based SUV

Volkswagen has revealed a wild, Australian-made SUV concept called the Korama, based on its new Amarok V6.

Fitted with new body panels and chunky tyres, the intriguing vehicle was produced to generate interest around the facelifted Amarok and its class-leading new six-cylinder turbo-diesel variant, which we recently tested and rated highly at 82/100.

The Korama was the handiwork of the same creative agency, DDB Sydney, that created the "Naked Ute" campaign for Volkswagen.

Volkswagen says the Korama is a "V6 Amarok in battle armour" because its 180kW/550Nm oil-burning engine and jacked-up ride deliver go-anywhere capability.

As teaser images leaked out ahead of its reveal as part of a marketing campaign for the Amarok V6, it was thought the vehicle could have been either a Chinese knockoff of a high-riding people-mover or even a prototype of the company's upcoming Prado rival -- an SUV based on VW's next-generation Amarok ute.

According to DDB, the design was penned by the same "reclusive" bloke behind the vehicles of

It took five weeks to design and build the shell that was bolted onto the Amarok V6 ute, which features an arctic camouflage wrap.

The reason for the big-budget design and production?

"Ute advertising in Australia is typically all the same," said Carlos Santos, the director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Australia.

"It's not an easy thing to follow-up such a successful campaign with a sequel, but the Korama evokes the kind of cult fanaticism that utes perpetuate in this country.

"Having Mad Max: Fury Road's mad genius design the Korama for us was a real coup and I think what was created has captured all of our imaginations. After all, who else could design something as tough as the Amarok?" said Santos.