YHE TOP-END of the highly competitive midsize 4x4 ute segment got a boost with the introduction of the second-generation Volkswagen T Amarok. The original Amarok was game-changer when it was launched, rewriting the way utes were designed and how they performed. Now Volkswagen has strayed from that individuality, partnering with Ford to create the new Amarok on the Blue Oval's next-gen Ranger T6.3 platform.
To see how the new Amarok compares with the leading vehicles in its class, we took an Amarok PanAmericana out with a Ford Ranger Sport and a Hilux Rogue.
The PanAmericana is the fourth highest of five specification grades available in the new Amarok line-up and it starts at $75,990. At $67,690 the Ranger Sport is fourth from the top in an eight-variant model range. A Ranger Wildtrak would have been a better match for the PanAm in both price and specification but one wasn't available for this test. The Rogue costs $70,200 and stands at the top of the busy Hilux range for now, but the GR Sport model can't be too far away.
VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK PANAMERICANA
POWERTRAIN AND PERFORMANCE
THE Amarok PanAmericana comes exclusively with a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine, 10-speed automatic transmission and full-time dual range four-wheel drive system. The V6 diesel engine is the Ford ‘Lion’ 3.0-litre single-turbo V6 that’s also employed in the Ranger and it produces the same claimed 184kW and 600Nm.
This story is from the August 2023 edition of 4x4 Magazine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2023 edition of 4x4 Magazine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
OUTBACK WATERING HOLES
SINCE OFF TRACK WINES WAS LAUNCHED, OWNERS ANNA AND BRETT FISHER HAVE DRIVEN MORE THAN 20,000KM UP, DOWN AND ACROSS AUSTRALIA SPRUIKING THEIR WINES-IN-A-CAN MADE FOR CAMPING. THEY DROPPED INTO PLENTY OF OUTBACK PUBS ALONG THE WAY AND THESE ARE THEIR SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FAVOURITES
BIG COUNTRY
THE PILBARA IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF BIG COUNTRY, AND THERE IS PLENTY TO SEE, DO AND ENJOY IN THIS ANCIENT LANDSCAPE IN WA'S RUGGED NORTHWEST
ISLAND PARADISE
NEAR THE TOP OF THE BUCKET LIST FOR EVERY AUSSIE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVER, K'GARI IS PACKED WITH STUNNING HIGHLIGHTS AND BOASTS SOME OF THE BEST BEACH DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY
WEIGHTLIFTING
INCREASING THE GVM OF YOUR 4X4 SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY, BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN SHOULD NOT BE AVOIDED IF YOU NEED IT. WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS ON OUR FORD RANGER TO EXPLAIN HOW TO GET IT RIGHT
NOW HEAR THIS
THE CEL-FI GO MOBILE BOOSTER WILL KEEP EMAILS, MESSAGES AND CALLS COMING THROUGH TO YOUR DEVICES WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE IS HEARING CRICKETS
LOOKING BACK
A PAIR OF MSA 4X4 TOWING MIRRORS ENSURE WE ALWAYS KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON BEHIND US WHEN WE HAVE A TRAILER HITCHED TO OUR MITSUBISHI TRITON
TRUCKIN' LIFE
CAN FORD AUSTRALIA'S NEW F-150 BE AN ACCOMPLISHED OFF-ROAD TOURING 4X4?
WHAT LURKS BENEATH
IT MAY LOOK LIKE A FAIRLY STANDARD (IF CLEAN) 80 SERIES, BUT DIVE A LITTLE DEEPER AND YOU'LL FIND A MONSTER BELOW THE SURFACE
EYE OF THE HURRICANE
RAM HAS DUMPED ITS HEMI V8FOR A SIX-CYLINDER, AND IT'S COMING TO AUSTRALIA
GETTING TANKED
GWM EXPANDS IT TANK 4X4 RANGE WITH THE LUXURIOUS TANK 500 WAGON
