subject: New Amarok Barnstaple [print this page] New Amarok Barnstaple New Amarok Barnstaple
New Amarok Barnstaple
Volkswagen has decided to enter the pickup truck segment of the automotive market with the new Amarok in Barnstaple. Its competitors are the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton. The Amarok is available as a single or double cab, rear wheel drive or four wheel drive.
The Amarok is available with two diesel engines; both of them are a 2.0 litre TDI producing either 122 or 163bhp. The TDI engines have great torque and pull very well in low rev range, making it easy for everyday driving.
As on off road vehicle the Amarok is very impressive, and I suppose that is its principle use. On normal roads though the Amarok does not fear as well, its sheer size and weight, combined with a large turning circle, mean it is not the most agile of monster trucks. As expected from a pickup truck there is a fair bit of body roll on bends but for a pickup it is acceptable.
The Amarok makes no attempt to disguise the fact that it is a commercial vehicle and not a SUV type 4x4, the engine is noisy and wind and road noise can be heard as the speed increases. Gear changes are not as smooth as traditionally 4x4s; the manual gearbox can be quite lumpy and provides a lot of feedback.
Once in the cabin the most notable thing is just how high off the ground you are, the rest of the cabin is much like a typical VW, there are plenty of adjustable options on the steering and seat to make any driver comfortable.
It can seat 4 adults comfortably and still have a class leading cargo bed; the Amarok is the only pick-up of its size able to take a standard Euro pallet sideways. To cap it all, it has a maximum towing limit of 2.8 tonnes.
