Star of the Volkswagen stand at the 2016 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show will certainly be the all-new VW Crafter large van, but there’s room for a little love for the Amarok pickup truck as well, which will appear in public for the first time with the 204hp version of its new 3.0-litre TDI V6 turbodiesel engine.
The 2016 IAA will also mark the debut for the updated Amarok Comfortline specification (sold in the UK as the Trendline), plus the first chance to see a new Canyon special edition and range-topping Aventura model.
For our full preview of the 2016 IAA van show click here
Multiple six appeal for new VW Amarok
At a time when nearly every other pickup truck maker is fitting smaller engines into their vehicles, Volkswagen is replacing the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine in its Amarok pickup with a larger 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel.
This new 3.0-litre TDI V6 offers 50 percent greater engine capacity for a smoother, more relaxed drive (click here to read our initial driving impressions), and a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes.
The old 2.0-litre was available with 140hp or 180hp; the new 3.0-litre engine comes in three versions:
- Top of the range: 224hp/550Nm
- Middle of the range: 204hp/500Nm
- Bottom of the range: 163hp/tbcNm
The IAA represents the public debut for the 204hp variant. As yet there are no official fuel economy (mpg) or CO2 emissions figures for any of the engines, but we do know the range-topping 224hp version will do 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 120mph.
All are offered with a choice of eight-speed automatic gearbox with 4Motion permanent four-wheel drive or a standard six-speed manual gearbox with selectable four-wheel drive (though this may not be available to order right from launch).
VW Amarok trim levels
Visitors to the IAA will also be able to get up close and personal with a number of Amarok trim levels, notably the Canyon special edition and the range-topping Aventura – sadly neither of these are yet confirmed for sale in the UK.
Even so, it’s hard to ignore the Canyon (above), which features matte black detailing and a row of spotlights; this may yet appear as a limited edition in the UK, but not until spring 2017 at the earliest. VW sold around 300 examples of the previous Amarok Canyon over here.
The Aventura (lead image, top of page), which may also form the basis of a UK special edition in time, is even more highly specified, including a 14-way adjustable driver’s seat that’s received the AGR (Germany’s “Campaign for Healthier Backs”) seal of approval, Park Pilot parking assist system, premium 3D colour display between the main instrument dials, and online services including VW’s App Connect.
Standard UK trim levels will be the familiar Startline, Trendline and Highline.
Pricing information
We’re still waiting for VW UK to confirm pricing for the updated Amarok as it won’t be going on sale until closer to the end of 2016, but we’re expecting a moderate rise over the current £20,360 basic, compensated by the larger, more powerful engine and an increase in standard equipment.
Read our first review of the VW Amarok 3.0-litre TDI by clicking here
Click here to find used VW Amaroks for sale in the Parkers classifieds
