VW pares Amarok back to its Core

With a record number of new arrivals to the ute market this year, including the freshly stamped Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara and Toyota HiLux, Volkswagen’s first-ever one-tonner is suddenly and old hand in Australia's lucrative light commercial vehicle segment.

Now, to give the four-year old Amarok -- a facelifted version of which is not expected here for at least another year -- a better chance against its newer competition, Volkswagen will usher in a simplified MY16 range comprising just three models from October.

Volkswagen repositioned the Amarok range earlier this year with a new entry-level 4x4 dual-cab variant called the Core Edition, and from October it will discontinue the Trendline.

The previous entry model was simply known as Amarok TDI400 (manual) or Amarok TDI420 (auto), with the Trendline, Highline and Ultimate grades sitting above it in the four-tier dual-cab 4x4 range.

For the MY16 line-up on sale from October, the range will be paired down to three — Core Edition, Highline and Ultimate; the Trendline grade has gone from showrooms but still available to fleet clients who are already ordering the grade.

This reduces the number of Amarok variants -- sales of which are up 17 per cent year-to-date, in a market that has averaged one per cent growth -- across all variants available to retail buyers from 26 to 18.

“A lot of that is down to the fact that the Core Edition is really starting to hit a sweet spot in the marketplace and has really grown our business," said Nick Reid, Volkswagen Group Australia's Product Marketing Manager.

"We’ve been very strong in the high end of the market with Highlines and Ultimates, and Core is our attempt — and a successful one — to grow our penetration at that entry-level of the market.”

The Core Edition has gained more than just new decals on its rear flanks to signify the change from the 2014 model year; a boost in specification level over its MY14 predecessor is led by a body-colour front bumper, 16-inch alloy wheels and Pirelli Scorpion ATR tyres as standard.

These are in addition to standardised specifications across the board, including a multifunction trip computer, Bluetooth phone connectivity with audio streaming, leather-clad multifunction steering wheel, multifunction instrument display and a new audio system that now incorporates an SD card slot.

The Core Edition is also equipped with air-conditioning, front/rear power windows, height-adjustable front seats, tray illumination, rear fog lights, hill descent control, hill-start assist and a electronically engaged, mechanical rear diff-lock.

Suiting its utilitarian role, floors are covered with rubber but lacking from the equipment list is a reversing camera and parking sensors — a must for lanky dual-cabs in an urban environment.

The Amarok’s safety suite comprises front, side and side curtain airbags, anti-skid brakes with brake assist, and stability and traction control.

Powering the Amarok is the relatively small bi-turbo diesel 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, which nevertheless delivers where it counts — it has 132kW of power and 400Nm of torque as a manual, while the auto offers 420Nm.

The Amarok Core Edition is priced from $41,490 for the standard six-speed manual and $44,490 for the eight-speed automatic, which commands a $3000 premium. The manual has a part-time dual-range transmission while the auto is a single-range full-time 4WD system with 40/60 front/rear Torsen centre differential ratio.

While the eight-speed ZF auto lacks low range, it has a low-ratio first gear and a driver-selectable off-road mode, which optimises ABS, stability and traction control, activates hill descent control, hill start and recalibrates the transmission to hold gears longer and stops the transmission from going into eighth gear.

The Amarok has a true one-tonne payload with a shade over 1000kg specified and can tow up to 3000kg and with 300kg maximum on the towball.

Volkswagen Amarok Core Edition pricing (plus ORCs):
Amarok Core Edition manual — $41,490
Amarok Core Edition auto — $44,490