Volkswagen has revealed its second-generation Amarok pickup, debuting a bold new look, increased onboard space and greater load-carrying ability.

The second-gen Amarok arrives at the end of 2022

It’s due on sale at the end of the year and sits on the same platform as the new Ford Ranger under the firms’ global cooperation while also getting a new range of four-cylinder and V6 diesel and petrol engines, some shared with the Ford, and either two- or four-wheel drive.

It has big boots to fill; the existing Amarok launched in 2010 and sold over 830,000 units in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, North Asia and South and Central America. It went off sale in 2019.

The new generation will distinguish itself with “unambiguously more expressive and even more impressive” design across the ‘Amarok’, ‘Life’ and ‘Style’ grades, as well as the top-rung ‘PanAmericana’ (with off-road styling) and ‘Aventura’ (with exclusive styling) trims. The Amarok branding is displayed flamboyantly while LED highlights are standard and VW’s IQ.Light LED matrix headlights will feature on higher-spec models along with an X-shaped design for the radiator grille. Alloy wheels are sized up to 21 inches and the rear gets C-shaped tail lights, with LED technology on PanAmericana and Aventura versions.

Thanks to the new platform, the new Amarok is now 96mm longer in double cab form, standing at 5,350mm. The wheelbase has increased by more; up by 173mm to 3,270mm, with the extra space used to deliver more onboard room, especially on the double cab’s second row of seats.

The increase in the wheelbase also shortens the body overhangs, not only delivering sharper proportions but also improving off-road capability thanks to better approach angles.

The offroad capabilities of the Amarok, which will have all-wheel drive as standard in many markets and comes with two different versions, are also enhanced by much greater fording depth. Previously it was 500mm, now it’s 800mm.

Load carrying capabilities have also increased; the maximum payload has gone up from around 1,000kg to 1,160kg now. As before, the cargo bed between the wheelarches has enough room for a Euro pallet loaded in sideways and the single cab version can even take two pallets loaded in sideways. The load is strapped down via eye rings on the cargo bed, which can each take a load of up to 500kg.

The cargo box can also be secured using an electrically operated roll cover – which can be operated from the cargo box itself, from inside the vehicle or via the vehicle key.

The Amarok also provides a static roof load capacity of 350kg – enough to hold the four-person roof tent that will be available as an accessory. Other features available for the cargo box will include a bike holder, a multifunction carrier system, a manual version of the roll cover and a diverse range of styling bars. The cargo bed can also be specified with a hardtop.

Engine line-up, depending on market, spans four turbo diesel TDI engines and one turbocharged petrol TSI engine. The entry 150hp four-cylinder 2.0-litre TDI is targeted at the African market; the lead-in engine for many markets will be the 170hp four-cylinder 2.0-litre TDI followed by a 209hp unit. The flagship engine is a new 3.0-litre V6, with either 241hp or 250hp.

A 302hp 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine will also be available in certain markets.

Gearboxes include five- or six-speed manuals, a six-speed automatic and a new 10-speed automatic gearbox served via a (by wire) e-shifter, available as an option for the 241hp V6 and as standard on the 250hp V6 diesel and the petrol, which also come with 4Motion all-wheel drive.

Drivers will be able to choose from six different profiles in Drive Modes, for example to help tackle slippery surfaces or demanding off-road terrain. The new Amarok also comes with more than 20 advanced driver assistance systems such as ACC+ adaptive cruise control (with integrated speed limiter), dynamic road sign display, intelligent speed assist (integrates road sign recognition), lane assist, the rear view reversing camera and the front assist surrounding area monitoring system, plus a parking control function.

The interior also puts the focus on latest advanced technology and a more premium approach. The infotainment system gets a 10-inch touchscreen, rising to over 12.0 inches for higher-grade models, plus digital radio reception and uses a mix of digital functions and physical buttons to cut distraction. The driver’s display uses an 8.0-inch readout, increasing to 12.0 inches. The Amarok also comes with online connectivity, four loudspeakers, multifunction steering wheel and height adjustment for the driver’s seat.

The PanAmericana and Aventura grades add in an exclusive Harman Kardon sound – also available as an option for other trims – leather seats and leather-look instrument panel with contrast stitching.

The new Amarok is being produced in South Africa and will be sold in Australia and New Zealand, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.