By Moses Akaigwe
Volkswagen has announced that the all-new Amarok pick-up has gone on sale in no fewer than 15 Sub-Saharan Africa markets.
This is coming on the heels of a two-day event in Kigali, Rwanda, where the all-conquering light pick-up truck impressed motoring journalists from about 11 countries during a long test-drive.
Volkswagen Amarok is manufactured in South Africa in a strategic alliance with Ford. The new Amarok is available in Angola, Cape Verde, Ghana, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, coupled with the diesel engine offerings, where the petrol engine is available in Gabon, Ivory Coast and Senegal.
For Ghana and Rwanda, the Amarok is assembled at Volkswagen SKD facilities for the local market with the assembly kits from South Africa.
The Amarok is expected to be available in the Nigerian market later when Volkswagen appoints a local representative.
The new Amarok range will be available in the following derivatives Amarok single and double cab, life, style panAmericana and the range topping Ventura-all with 4MOTION (4X4) drive train.
Amarok Single, Double Cab: Workhorse
The entry Amarok Single and Cab derivative are offered with a 2.0 TDI 125KW engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. They are available with an option of 4X2 or 4MOTION drivetrain.
Standard features include 16-inch steel where LED headlights and halogen tailights, wireless App-Connect, 10-inch infotainment screen, seat trim covers in fabric “Amarok” and vinyl floor in the interior cabin.
Amarok Life Comfort
The Amarok Life derivative is available with the 2.0 TDI 125KW engine, mated to a 6-speed manual 6-speed automatic gearbox
and the 2.0 BITDI 154KW 4MOTION and 2.3 TSI 222KW 4MOTION engines both mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox.
In addition to standard features in the Amarok Double Cab derivative, the Amarok Life comes standard with 17-inch Combra alloy wheels (standard on the 2.0 BITDI 154KW) and 2.3 TSI 222KW engines), power tailgate lock, front and rear Park Distance Control, rear view camera, ISOFIX child seat anchors, “Life” seat trim covers in fabric (with seat heating in front on the 2.0 BITDI 154 kW and 2.3 TSI 222KW engines) and rubber mats.
Amarok Style Comfort and Design
The Amarok Style is available with the 2.0 BITDI 154KW 4MOTION and 2.3 TSI 222KW 4MOTION engines, both mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox
In addition to the standard features on the Amarok Life, the Amarok Style is equipped with 18-inch Amadora alloy wheels, a chrome styling bar, tyre pressure monitoring system, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, 12-inch touch screen with wireless App connect, mobile phone inductive charging keyless locking and start, electrically adjustable driver seat, seat trim covers with “Artvelours microfleece” insert and velour (carpet mats).
Amarok PanAmericana Offroad and Design
The Amarok PamAmericana is available with the 2.0 BITDI 154KW and 2.3 TSI 222KW 4MOTION engines, both mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox.
In addition to standard features in the Amarok Style, the Amarok PanAmericana comes standard with 18-inch black painted Amarok alloy wheels, a black styling bar, IQ, Light LED headlights, LED rear combination lamps, Adaptative Cruise Control, Area View 360 degrees Camera, rear cross traffic alert, Harman Kardan sound system, “Cricket” leather seats and rubber floor mats
Amarok Aventura Lifestyle and Design
The Aventura is the range topper of the Amarok model line-up. It is also offered with the 2.0 BITDI 154KW and 2.3 TSI 222KW 4MOTION engines, both mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox.
In addition to the standard features in the Amarok PanAmericana, the Aventura comes standard with chrome finishes (mirrors, doorhandles and side steps), a body-coloured sports bar electric roller shutter, 20-inch Bendigo wheels, “Savona” leather seats and premium velour (carpet) mats with “Aventura” lettering.
The only optional features available in the Amarok range is the exterior paint colour. The Amarok model range is available in the following exterior colours: Clear White, Midnight Black, Bright Blue, Medium Silver, Dark Grey, Deep Red, Bright Beige and Reed Green.
Engines
2.0 TDI 125KW. The four cylinder engine with a 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission produces 125KW of power with maximum torque of 405Nm. The top speed is 180km/h. Fuel consumption on the 2.0 TDI 125KW with manual transmission is 7.1litres/100km and 7.7litres/100km for the 6-speed automatic transmission.
2.0 BiTDI 154KW. This four cylinder engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission produces 154KW of power with maximum torque of 500Nm.The top speed is 180km/h. Fuel consumption is 7.5 litres/100km.
2.3 TSI 222KW. This four cylinder engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission produces 222KW of power with maximum torque of 405Nm.The top speed is 180km/h. Fuel consumption is 7.9litres/100km.
The new Volkswagen Amarok comes standard with a 4-year /120, 000km warranty