Photo: Theophilus Chin
According to the Daimler AG Product Plan for 2017, Mercedes-Benz is due to start rolling out its much-anticipated pickup truck around this time next year. And as expected from Daimler’s rival, the VW Group is keeping a close eye on the M-B GLT.
Volkswagen already has a mid-size pickup truck in the form of the Amarok. Yes, that Amarok with body-on-frame construction, double-wishbone suspension at the front, and leaf springs at the rear. Designed by Walter de Silva, the man behind the Alfa Romeo 147, Lamborghini Egoista, and Leica M9 Titanium camera, the Amarok looks great from every angle you look at it. But what if it had Audi badges and the premium qualities expected from an Audi?
Well, chances are Audi will make its own version of the Amarok at the appropriate time. By appropriate time, that means after the public starts expressing interest in luxed-up pickup trucks. More to the point, after Mercedes-Benz launches its workhorse, expected to be called the GLT.
As per Audi Australia managing director Andrew Doyle, an Audi pickup truck hasn’t been confirmed, nor discussed in depth. Then again, never say never.
“It depends if there is really a market there for a premium utility model like that,” he told CarAdvice. “What I can say is that the brand has proven that as much as we stretch into different areas and different segments, we can have success.” To my ears, that sounds as if the Volkswagen Group is keeping a close eye on how the GLT will work out for Mercedes-Benz. If the results are positive, then Audi will surely give the green light to an Amarok-based truck.
“If the formula is there to ensure its premium quality and premium performance, we’d have to do a global case study to see if that would be the case. It certainly would be an interesting addition to the Australian fleet,” concluded Doyle, leaving the door open to further speculation.
Whatever the future holds in store for Audi, one can only wish for a workhorse as good-looking as the Prologue allroad Concept-based rendering pictured above, the creation of pixel artist extraordinaire Theophilus Chin.
Well, chances are Audi will make its own version of the Amarok at the appropriate time. By appropriate time, that means after the public starts expressing interest in luxed-up pickup trucks. More to the point, after Mercedes-Benz launches its workhorse, expected to be called the GLT.
As per Audi Australia managing director Andrew Doyle, an Audi pickup truck hasn’t been confirmed, nor discussed in depth. Then again, never say never.
“It depends if there is really a market there for a premium utility model like that,” he told CarAdvice. “What I can say is that the brand has proven that as much as we stretch into different areas and different segments, we can have success.” To my ears, that sounds as if the Volkswagen Group is keeping a close eye on how the GLT will work out for Mercedes-Benz. If the results are positive, then Audi will surely give the green light to an Amarok-based truck.
“If the formula is there to ensure its premium quality and premium performance, we’d have to do a global case study to see if that would be the case. It certainly would be an interesting addition to the Australian fleet,” concluded Doyle, leaving the door open to further speculation.
Whatever the future holds in store for Audi, one can only wish for a workhorse as good-looking as the Prologue allroad Concept-based rendering pictured above, the creation of pixel artist extraordinaire Theophilus Chin.
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