The new Amarok range is one of the clearest and most logical examples of ‘layered’ specs we’ve seen in a while.
Starting with the entry-level Life, the range has a comprehensive basic spec – so the Style simply adds to the spec sheet of the Life.
Amarok aims to deliver as much value for money as possible from the earliest possible opportunity, which means the Life is bristling with Amarok features and sets the standard for the range of utes which come after it.
Step up a level, though, and the Amarok Style has the full-fat 2.0-litre bi-turbo engine and ten-speed auto transmission.
The engine makes 154kW at 3,750rpm and a full 500Nm of torque between 1,750rpm and 2,000rpm.
Like the rest of the range, the Style complies with the Euro5 emissions standard.
The Style has the lowest emissions and best fuel economy of the range. We picked it up with 11.1 litres per 100km showing and dragged it down to 8.5 with little problem. On the highway, the 8.3 litres per 100km official figure should be easy to hit.
Drive formats are 2-hi (rear-wheel drive), 4-hi and 4-lo. Front-rear drive split in 4-hi and 4-lo are 50/50 and they are not for use on tarmac.
The 5.362m long, 1.871m high Amarok Style sits on 18-inch Armadura alloy wheels with 255/65/18-inch rubber. Bigger wheels, lower profile tyres add up to improved steering input/feedback and interestingly no increase in road noise or harshness. All Amarok variants wear 255-wide radials.
The Amarok Style has a towing capacity of 3500kg braked with a downward tow-ball load of 350kg.
As to design, the Amarok’s most significant feature is in the nose. The design is distinctively VW, a very European look.
With its IQ Matrix headlights, LED fog lights and daylight running lights the Style is very much on-message with the rest of the range.
Style has a comprehensive range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning front assist with autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, junction assist, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, rearview camera, tyre pressure monitoring, speed sign recognition, front and rear park distance control, collision-mitigation braking and the anticipated airbags, ESP, ABS and brake booster system. All of which delivers a range-wide five-star ANCAP safety rating.
The lane-keeping system is truly modern and gives the driver a graphic indication of the road format in the centre of the all-digital 12.3-inch dash. The steering wheel assistance is gentle but insistent.
Inside, there’s wireless phone charging, app-connect with Mirrorlink, and a 6-speaker audio system controlled by the vertical 12-inch touchscreen.
Style has a feature-loaded leather multifunction steering wheel but no paddle-shifters. Instead, there’s a ‘+/-’ pair of buttons on the side of the mouse-shaped shifter. All up, paddles are more user-friendly because they allow the driver to keep both hands on the wheel.
Behind the wheel, the added wheelbase length (3,270mm) and track width – and the suspension – add up to a smooth, composed ride even in 2-hi.
When torque got the better of traction, the truck communicated that to the driver.
The 18-inch wheel/tyre combo means the Style is an easy and enjoyable drive on all surfaces.
We hear VW expects this to be the pick of the bunch sales-wise. That would not be a surprise.
