Volkswagen has announced a new entry-level version of its Amarok pickup truck for the UK market. The cheapest VW Amarok is priced from £24,510, but still powered by a 3.0-litre V6 TDI.
Which ought to give anyone considering a lower-power Mercedes-Benz X-Class, Nissan NP300 Navara or Ford Ranger something to think about.
How much power does the entry-level VW Amarok have?
When VW upgraded the Amarok to V6 turbodiesel power in late 2016, the UK was initially only offered 224hp versions with an automatic transmission. Over time, the range has expanded to include a 204hp model and, most recently, a manual gearbox option.
This new entry-level model keeps the V6, but is rated to what must be a very unstressed 163hp – which exactly matches the middle output available from the previous 2.0-litre, four-cylinder TDI engine.
What’s more, it also packs a hefty 450Nm of torque. That’s 50Nm less than the 204hp model (and 100Nm less than the top-spec 224hp Amarok), but still a lot of muscle for an entry-level pickup.
The 163hp Amarok is only available with the six-speed manual gearbox, and comes with the less sophisticated switchable four-wheel drive system (automatic Amaroks have permanent four-wheel drive).
What’s performance like from the 163hp VW Amarok?
We haven’t driven it yet, but it’s certainly not going to be a slouch.
The official 0-62mph time is 9.8 seconds – very few other pickups crack the 10-second benchmark – and top speed is 110mph. This is still a fast pickup.
You pay the price for this slightly when it comes to the fuel economy, which is officially rated at 32.5mpg combined when the most efficient rivals (notably the Parkers Award-winning Nissan Navara) now top 40mpg.
CO2 emissions are similarly hefty at 228g/km. The engine obviously meets the latest Euro 6 emissions regulations, and the sheer amount of torque should make decent real-world fuel economy easy to achieve, however.
As for load-hauling performance, the 163hp Amarok has a 1,073kg payload rating, but can only tow 3,000kg. Almost all rivals now tow 3,500kg in some configurations – something the Amarok cannot do even in 224hp guise.
What standard equipment do you get on the 163hp VW Amarok?
The new 163hp model is only available in the most basic Trendline specification, but this still includes all of the following standard equipment highlights:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Air-conditioning
- Infotainment system with 6.33-inch touchscreen, DAB radio, Bluetooth and App Connect
- Cruise control
The VW Amarok 163hp V6 TDI is on sale now, with first customer deliveries expected in May 2018. Order before the end of March, and as long as it’s registered by the end of June it also qualifies for the latest VW van scrappage scheme (click here for more details).
Also read:
VW Amarok full review on Parkers Vans
Mercedes X-Class vs VW Amarok twin-test review
VW van scrappage scheme extended
