Just read this on the drive website. Might give the hilux/Triton etc a run skake up if priced
well?
Volkswagen has taken the wraps off a new one-tonne utility that will arrive in Australia in 2010.
This is Europe’s answer to the Toyota HiLux, one of Australia’s most popular vehicles.
It’s Volkswagen’s Amarok, the first one-tonne ute to be developed in Germany.
The Amarok will be built in Argentina from early next year and will arrive in Australia in the second half of 2010, although it will initially be available only as diesel four-door ute with a manual transmission.
The Amarok isn’t expected to launch a full-scale assault on the HiLux’s dominance of the market until 2011, when automatic, single cab and petrol versions will arrive. The automatic is likely to be a dual-clutch version, as seen on existing Volkswagen commercial vans.
Four-dour (‘dual cab’) one-tonne utes have become increasingly popular in Australia, with many buyers using them as a work vehicle during the week and a family or recreational vehicle on the weekends.
Roughly one is six vehicles sold in Australia is a ute of some sort, making the utility market the second largest segment in Australia, behind small cars.
The HiLux has topped the monthly sales charts more than once, outselling the Holden Commodore and Toyota’s own Corolla small car.
The arrival of the Amarok is likely to cement Volkswagen’s position as one of the leading brands in the country after spectacular growth in the past five years. Since 2004, the maker’s local sales have more than tripled.
The car maker already has a strong range of vans in Australia, supported by an extensive network specialising in commercial vehicle sales. The Amarok features a horizontal-style grille that gives it a family resemblance to VW’s SUVs and passenger cars.
The new ute is likely to be sold on safety, fuel efficiency and Volkswagen’s trademark quality cabins. The cabin borrows several styling cues from the VW passenger car range, including a digital read-out in between the tacho and the speedo, louvered air-conditioning vents and heavily bolstered
seat cushions.
Detailed specifications won’t be released until nearer the launch, but the South American version is being launched with stability control and four airbags as standard equipment. Australia is likely to match or better that level of safety equipment.
Two engines will be available from launch: a 120kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel that generates 400Nm of torque from just 1500rpm and a 90kW four-cylinder TDI with 340Nm of torque.
Both engines are paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, and the 90kW engine uses just 7.6 litres per 100km (7.8L/km for the 120kW engine). Volkswagen says the vehicle’s 80-litre petrol
tank is capable of producing a range in excess of 1000km.
The Amarok will be offered in rear-wheel drive, switchable all-wheel drive and full-time four-wheel drive for off-road applications. The off-road versions will be fitted with a stability control system tailored to work better on loose surfaces, and low-range gearing. The system also has
hill descent control and
hill hold function.
An optional rear-differential lock is available on all variants.
The Amarok is likely to be offered in three variants: a base model with rudimentary equipment, including wind-up windows, a Trendline with electric windows, climate control and alloy
wheels, and a Highline with 17-inch
wheels, leather accents, a premium sound system and automatic climate control.
Volkswagen claims the Amarok will have the largest interior space and cargo area in its class, with the biggest space between wheel wells. The 5.25m truck will have a payload of up to 1.15 tonnes and a towing capacity of up to 2.8 tonnes.
Volkswagen spokesman Karl Gehling says the Amarok should appeal to both tradespeople and families.
“It gives us a great chance to increase our sales in what is a volume segment of the market. People are buying these types of vehicles because they’re suitable for both work and the family. They have all the practicality of a four-wheel-drive SUV,” he says.
Gehling says the only hurdle to the success of the vehicle will be possible supply issues.
“Our volume will come down to supply. We will be one of the first markets with the vehicle, but there will be a lot of demand worldwide,” he says.