Bakkie worth its salt

ROAD TRIPPING: RESTRUCTURED AMAROK EARNS VW LOGO ON ITS NOSE

- Charl Bosch

The second generation Volkswagen Amarok has been around since 2022 and caused more controversy than the original upon its world debut.

While Wolfsburg’s first attempt at a bakkie made headlines for its initial controversial choice of a 2.0-litre diesel engine, this gradually faded with not only its premium promise, but more so with the arrival of the 3.0 TDI V6 in 2017.

Effectively the initiator of the premium bakkie segment, the second generation’s tie-up with Ford resulted in many seeing the darkest shade of red possible when the joint venture became public around 2019.

Despite this, Amarok sales haven't nosedived and instead, easily breach between 350 and 400 units a month.

Made exclusively in South Africa at Ford’s Silverton Plant outside Pretoria, the Amarok followed its alliance partner by quietly receiving a line-up restructuring last month.

As a way of not only ‐launching‐ the revised range, but to celebrate Volkswagen’s 75th birthday in South Africa this year, The Citizen joined the brand on a five-day off-road trip called Amarok Adventure over 1 463km.

Starting in Durban, the route ventured into Lesotho and involved not only the Sani Pass, but also the Naude's Nek Pass above Rhodes in the Eastern Cape.

From there, it would be on to Robert Sobukwe and the finish in Nelson Mandela Bay.

For the trek, three variants had been provided, the 2.0 TDI Life priced at R801 000, the 2.3 TSI PanAmericana stickered at R1 099 000, and the 3.0 TDI PanAmericana that carries a R1 190 900 price tag.