2011 Volkswagen Amarok to debut at Sydney International Motor Show

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By Brett Davis | September 24th, 2010

Update: Volkswagen Amarok Review.

Volkswagen has announced the first public debut of the upcoming Volkswagen Amarok will occur at the Sydney International Motor Show in October.

Although we’ve seen plenty of images and details of the new ute, Volkswagen has decided that Sydney will be the place to be to exhibit, in full detail, the new Amarok range. This gives a chance for potential consumers to see what sort of features the new ute offers, and it gives us a chance to see how the tray size measures up as well as check out the interior details.

Volkswagen will offer its first ute with a range of direct injection turbo-diesel engines, including a twin-turbo diesel option with 120kW in the Amarok TDI400.

Initially, the car will be launched as a four-door dual cab with five seats whilst presenting, according to Volkswagen, the largest tray in its class. The tray is said to measure 1555mm in length, 1620mm in width and 1222mm between the wheel arches. An overall tray space of 2.52 metres-squared is offered. Payload capacities of 1000kg are also achievable.

Being a Volkswagen, the car is fitted with loads of interior features and safety applications. Both driver and passenger have airbags, including front seat head/thorax airbags. There’s also Volkswagen’s electronic stability control system (ESP) including traction control and anti-slip regulation. The car is also fitted with an ‘Off-Road Mode’ setting for the stability program which sets the traction control, anti-slip regulator and electronic differential lock up for off road conditions.

The new Volkswagen Amarok will be launched into the market during the first quarter of 2011. But don’t forget you can check it out at the Sydney Motor Show in a few weeks time.

http://geraldinetoring.blogspot.com/ Gee

Wow! just like the new design
MisterTwo

This isn’t VW’s first Ute. The original Caddy from the 1980′s was a Golf pickup. It may not have been sold in Australia, so the article should read “VW’s first Ute to be sold in Australia”.
Jabba the Hutt

I wonder if the toyota loyalists will be able to break the shackles of ignorance? Interesting times ahead as this car filters out into the real world. I just hope VW have addressed their reliability issues as they will only get one chance to shake up the established brands.

yowza

Hi-Lux loyalists exists for a reason. 15+ years of Hi-Lux history has shown very good reliability, durability and bang for your buck.

You sound like people automatically buy Hi-Lux because of the Toyota brand…. Hi-Lux built its reputation.

Why don’t make a comment about how the Amarok looks pretty much a Hi-Lux with touched up grille/bumper.

Tomas79

Spot on Yowza,
I have said the same thing before!!
Funny, how all these toyota haters praise the looks of the amarok, and yet knock the looks of the hilux!! When the amarok looks like a hilux, with a different grill and and lights!!!

I reckon, with the exception of the LC79, even this ute comes on the market, hilux sr5 still will be the best looking ute on the Australian market by far!!

Shak

How much differentiation do you think they can put into style in this segment. They have to first and foremost be utility vehicles. its sort of the same with Hybrids. They all look like the Prius due to the COD requirements.

Tomas79

There is plenty of differentiation in this segment!!
Given most of the other utes within the segment, apart from the Amarok don’t really look like hilux!!!

Golfschwein

I agree with Shak. VW didn’t copy the Hilux, any more than anyone else. They’d have battled to mimic the Hilux’s crook little wheel/tall body proportions, for a start. Hiluxes need metallic paint and nineteens to even begin to look good, yet a Mazda BT50 or an Amarok look good straight out of the box.

Jabba the Hutt

Actually there are approximately 118,000 Australian hilux owners that are currently going through the process of a recall for a potentially fatal problem with the front of a tail shaft letting go. Before anyone says that it only becomes an issue off road, half their sales are to mining companies that do just that and this is how toyota promote the vehicle as “unbreakable”.

A mate in Airlie Beach has an 07 model and it has had transmission issues, a leaky windscreen and rust in a door sill. Don’t confuse this current model with the super tough models prior to’ 06 when they went away from a leaf spring front suspension. It ain’t in the same ball park.

BIG-T

HONESTLY NO….

VW PURCHASED AND REBADGED TOYOTA HI-LUX’S UTES AS VW’S YEARS AGO

YES, A HILUX WITH VW BADGES FITTED, SHAME BIG/T[TM.F-0] TO LOWER YOURSELF LIKE THAT…..

Matt man

Not a ute fan, but this looks great. Not to mention that this is great news fo the Sydney motor show, has any maker ever debuted a car at an Aussie show? Good job vw

Shak

I think quiet a few have, but i really cant remember them.

Ricky

No non-local models have ever debuted exclusively at an Australian show. I think a couple may have been simultaneous with the Paris/European shows, though.

Shak

Thank you VW for acknowledging us as an important market for such an appealing product. Lets just hope that the interior quality is up to your usual standards, because tradies shouldnt have to suffer.
yowza

I have friends who work for Thiess and ABI Group as Civil/Site engineers, and they all drive Hi-Lux SR5s… with NO leather interior…

Why?

Its not supposed to be a Luxury car… the leather will get scratch in the first week, the door trim will get punctures within a day.

Of course… if you just drive 1 for the “cool” factor and to cruise around in a HIGH position.. then you’d care about a highly aesthetic and polished interior.

VW needs to understand the MAJORITY of buyers for this vehicles want toughness… with realistic luxury level….

If its a Tiguan/Touareg level interior… then the tradies and multi-purpose users will avoid it… extra cost for something they dont need.

Toyota Guru

Well of course your mates don’t drive Hilux SR5s with leather, cos’ leather is not standard, nor is it an option.

And btw, VW always make leather an option in most of their vehicles.
nickdl

I agree, and I assume VW has catered for tradies as well with a lower-spec model. The interior shown is probably in a model equivalent to the SR5 Hilux, which is more often bought for private use.

nickdl

Sorry, SR5 Hilux is probably not the best example. Top-spec Navara is a higher spec. But if you have a look at the interior of the Amarok here, there is no leather apart from maybe the gear stick.

Jabba the Hutt

There are plenty of hiluxes that will never see a tool box. They have replaced the family wagon for many with a misguided belief they are safer. For these people leather seating is a bonus.

LukasUtopia

The Amarok is for people who want added comfort, safety and fuel efficiency to their drive. If people need the utmost reliable ute then the Hilux will still be a no brainer. I think many potential buyers will sway from buying a Transporter and some from other non Hilux 4WDs, provided the Amarok will be competitively priced.
LukasUtopia

I like the design of the new Hilux, especially the SR5 space cab guise, the modern eqivalent of the car in Back To The Future. But there are just so many low specified Hiluxes out there to make the high speced ones not be as special. Same with the Amarok, space cab with big wheels and then it will look it’s best.

nickdl

Maybe I’m missing something but how the hell is an SR5 Hilux anything like a DeLorean?

LukasUtopia

4×4 SR5 Xtra cab – turbo diesel with bigger wheels, unstoppable!
Tomas79

Enough,
Given most of the other utes within the segment, apart from Amarok don’t really look like hilux!!!
Car Fanatic

What you must understand is according to Vfacts, 25% of all Hilux 4×4′s sold, are to private buyers. It’s an image thing. VW will encroach on that market o

Tomas79

VFACTS doesnt show private sale, nor would it automatically indicate image thing!!

Car Fanatic

Vfacts to automotive industry members show a he’ll of alot if information including RTA private vs Business Rego’s. What gets published on sites like this is very basic compared to what manufacturers are privy to.

Tomas79

Or that can back up claims, on a site like this!!

Car Fanatic

I’m sure CA could get their hands on the breakdowns if absolutely required
Car Fanatic

I think he means the 4 Runner Marty owned, not the DeLorean

nickdl

Oh yeah, you’re right. The car that had about two minutes in the whole movie.

You know what, I always loved that car from Mad Max. No, not the Police Interceptor, the van at the start that got crashed into.

Don

bye bye Hilux…in the private market at least.
http://? Glen

Lets hope VW Aust get a better after sales service rap than with the transporters.
jac0001

Looks heaps like a rodeo from the side/ back! Not sure I am keen on the cassette radio looking thing….