VW Amarok Goes to AIMS

The only Australian auto show to open this year after the cancellation of the Brisbane Motor Show, the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) in Sydney, will mark a very special event for German carmaker Volkswagen in the country: its entrance is Oz's ute segment with the Amarok pickup.

The October event will be the first local presentation of the Amarok, prior to its rumored launch in the country by the end of the year.

Priced at EUR26,203 for the two wheel drive version in Europe, the Argentinean-built pickup comes powered by a choice of two engines: a 2.0 TDI with common rail injection engine, developing 163 PS and 400 N of torque at 1,500 rpm and a four cylinder TDI.

In Australia, the model will be launched with the 2.0l TDI with variable-geometry turbocharger. Fuel economy for this unit is set at 7.6l/100 km (30 mpg).

The engine is controlled via a 6-speed manual transmission, which will be the single one available for both engines. The engines' power will be taken to the ground by the use of three drive concepts: full-time all-wheel drive, switchable all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive. The base version of the Amarok comes in rear-wheel drive. The Amarok currently comes in a four door, double cabin configuration, but a single cab model will be available in the first half of next year.

The Amarok will hit the market in a choice of three trim levels: Base, Trendline and Highline. Safety wise, the pick-up packs ABS, ASR, electronic differential lock and ESP with Hill Descent Assist.