ROCK IT HARD

THIS TOUGH, CLEVERLY CUSTOMISED AMAROK IS BUILT FOR PURPOSE. THAT PURPOSE IS TO GET ITS OWNERS OUT AND EXPLORING ANY AND ALL REMOTE LOCATIONS IN AUSTRALIA

- JUSTIN WALKER

SO HOW does someone step out of a rorty Subaru WRX, leave all that grunt behind and, after an extensive, well-thought-out, perfectly finished build, end up behind the wheel of one of Australia’s toughest Volkswagen Amaroks? Well, ain’t that just the story. Jumping from a souped-up Suby into a virtually unstoppable off-road tourer seems like a big turn-around, but, as you might suspect, there’s a lot more to this rugged Amarok’s gestation than just someone having a massive change of direction when it comes to their driving habits.

This isn’t Nathan Pagulayan’s first fourby. Prior to this fully loaded Amarok, Nathan spent a few years behind the wheel of a 4x4 icon: a 1993 Suzuki Vitara. Plus, childhood memories of his father’s many off-road vehicles – and the many adventures the Pagulayan family had in them, growing up in the Albury-Wodonga area – meant that even though the WRX was brilliant fun, Nathan knew he’d eventually return to the world of touring.

The WRX suffering a terminal turbo and engine failure at a race meet was the not-so-subtle push in the back – and the perfect excuse – Nathan needed to start thinking of his off-road project…

ALL THE REASONS WHY

COMING from a grunt-filled Suby, Nathan had a few caveats when searching for a suitable vehicle.