January 2010
Via West
As you'd expect for a workhorse vehicle, the materials used are harder than you'll find in the likes of a Golf or Tiguan. The plastics on the dash and surrounds are hard but don't look out of place in the class. It's the same story with the seats. The leather is not The tray measures 1550mm in length, up to the same standard as VW pas1600mm wide and with 1220mm in senger cars', but good for the pick-up between the wheel arches. That is segment. large enough to fit an Australian standard pallet of 1200mm x 1200mm. The extra width is certainly noticeable in the cabin. It will certainly seat four Load capacity will vary from 850kg to adults in absolute comfort and a fifth 1200kg depending on the model. passenger, either adult or child, won't feel crushed in the centre seat. Head PACKAGING and legroom is also good. -- Keeping it in the family Although the Crew Cab will be the Not surprisingly, the production Amaonly option initially, a single cab verrok looks much like the Robust Consion is expected by the fourth quarter cept first shown in September 2008. of 2010. Naturally it ditches the 'Search and Rescue' embellishments of the show As mentioned above, VW is promising car, but retains the same VW family look. (Continued from page 23)
equivalent Toyota HiLux (2250kg), Ford Ranger (2500kg) and Mitsubishi Triton (2500kg), but is behind the Holden Colorado and Nissan Navara, which can both pull 3000kg.
Page 24 in front of each tyre, the advanced ABS allows the Amarok to stop quicker without limiting steering on unsealed roads. It is good to see VW taking the decision to fit ABS as standard, given that the government is yet to mandate stability control on light commercial vehicles, despite acknowledging its many safety benefits. Not so good is the decision to offer only driver and passenger front and side airbags. While not alone in the segment, it's a shame VW decided against making knee and curtain airbags available to better protect both front and rear seat passengers. COMPETITORS -- New player in a crowded arena As mentioned at the beginning, VW is
The design is typical of current generation Volkswagen's, with clean lines, but at the same time there are bold wheel arches to give it a suitable look for the pick-up segment. As the only European player on the market, the Amarok will stand out from its Asian rivals -- something that could give it an advantage in the sales race. The front end treatment is almost identical to the concept, with the headlights carried over and sitting alongside the bold grille with large VW badge. The lower grille is also a direct link to the Robust, with the solid black insert running the width of the lower bumper; as well as housing the fog lights. The Robust design is carried over down the side and across the rear. [Ed: Ignore the upside down Mitsubishi logos on the images hereabouts. The badges were simply disguise for the cars in their pre-launch period.] Exact exterior dimensions remain under wraps, but the company did admit it is similar in size to the HiLux (100mm wider, both externally and inside the cabin). Based on our time with the car, it may be the VW's first attempt at a one-tonne pick-up, but it certainly won't look out of place against its rivals. Inside, the Amarok feels just like a Volkswagen, with design and controls pulled straight from other members of the family. The steering wheel looks identical to the new Golf's, as do the air conditioning controls and stereo.
a wide variety of equipment and specification for the Amarok, thanks to its modular construction. Among those will be a number of options for the tray, including heavy duty plastic liners, covered canopy and a flatbed.
making no secret that it is using the Toyota HiLux as the benchmark for the Amarok, both in terms of development and sales target. But while the Toyota is the clear market leader locally, the Amarok will face a long list of competitors in the marketplace. They There will be a choice of nine colours will include the Nissan Navara, Holden for the Amarok, including black, white, Colorado, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, silver, dark green, dark blue and red. Mitsubishi Triton and Mazda BT-50. SAFETY With over 100,000 pick-ups sold this -- A missed opportunity? year and the top five models all selling over 10,000 units, there is not just lots Active safety will include standard fitof competition but plenty of scope for ment of anti-lock brakes (ABS), elecgrowth. As a new player, any growth tronic stability control (ESP), hill dewill be a bonus to Volkswagen Austracent and hill hold assist. The ABS is lia. the same version used on the Touareg, which has been specially ON (AND OFF) THE ROAD calibrated for loose surface stops. By building up a wave of gravel or snow (Continued on page 25)
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