Volkswagen Amarok
In a clear bid to attack the current set of favourite utility vehicles in the local market, Volkswagen‘s commercial vehicle division has developed a pickup truck that will soon be available for purchase. The Amarok is a rather attractive one Tonner, very similar to the Toyota Hilux which is the current market leader in its segment.
Available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive variants, the Amarok will initially be available only as a double cab and later as a single cab vehicle. Volkswagen claims the car is as rugged as its Japanese counterparts and will be more than capable of hauling more than a ton on its loading bay and two tons in tow.
Interior appointments are on par with current Volkswagen vehicles and a variety of power plants and options will be available at the time of launch.
There is no pricing available yet and no information regarding the standard options the base vehicle will be delivered with. Volkswagen generally sells cars at a slight premium and makes a fair number of appointments available only as a list of options carrying a hefty price tag. Then there’s the question of whether or not one would really wish a load of 500 bricks to be dumped on the back of a VW… it’s not a question of capability, simply one of preconceived notions. Somehow, something like is just more natural when driving a Toyota…
I got a volks fleet and it is really great. the machine’s great, the body’s great, everything’s just perfect for me. I use it on long trips as well. I’m kinda curious of this pick up. I’d like to see and try to drive one.
The Amarok should be available in South Africa in the next few months. Not sure when or whether it will be available in the UK anytime soon. I’m keen to see and drive one too – the perception from my side is simply that VW makes passenger vehicles and that the prospect of utilizing a VW as a workhorse seems strange. No issue about quality or capability at all – I think that will be one stumbling block in South Africa: Toyota, for example, has a very good reputation in the utility vehicle segment. How VW will penetrate the market will be interesting to watch.
I’m looking to buy one but not sure if I should just go for the hilux? I’m sure by now you would of tested one by now would love to know what you think of a VW pickup truck?