The new Amarok.

The new pickup impressively demonstrated that it can cope with even the most stringent conditions by passing the 2010 Dakar Rally endurance test. The Amarok was the official escort vehicle for the circuit through Argentina and Chile, and neither temperatures of 50°C nor 4,700 metre high mountain passes were able to daunt it. The Amarok is not only in its element off the road but also cuts a fine figure in city traffic.

The Amarok is a strong contender off-road, but it shows up well on city streets too. It’s demonstrating both these qualities at the moment in the Amarok Challenge. A ten-person team is making a 20,000-kilometre journey through Latin America to demonstrate the new pickup’s strength, endurance and versatility. The expedition started on March 11 in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina and is due to end on May 31 in Puebla, Mexico, after passing through 16 countries.

Tough assignments call for efficient power management. With selectable 4MOTION all-wheel drive, the Amarok is able to distribute power equally between the front and rear axles. All it takes is the push of a button and you will experience reliable traction on almost all surfaces. The Amarok is available with selectable, and with permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive – plus the electronic stabilisation programme ESP as standard.

Heavy-duty leaf springs ensure that the Amarok is well-equipped to handle particularly tough assignments. They provide a high level of safety for payloads of up to one tonne** and are so robust that they can master even rough terrain effortlessly.
The Amarok can also be fitted with comfort leaf springs to give it the handling characteristics of a saloon. With a maximum payload of 850 kg**, they increase ride comfort – particularly at high speeds – and additionally reduce driving noise.

The Amarok is equipped with one of the most efficient engines of our time. The two exhaust turbochargers result in impressive response at lower engine revs and an increased power output at higher revs. With 120 kW (163 bhp) at a torque of 400 Nm you can quickly leave the daily grind, and high operating costs, behind you – as the Amarok with rear-wheel drive has an average fuel consumption of only 7.6 litres per 100 km. No wonder the Volkswagen Race Touareg relies on the same Biturbo engine technology for the most gruelling rally in the world – the Dakar Rally.

Comfort on a par with that of a passenger car: the interior of the Amarok offers comfortable seats, plenty of head and legroom, a low interior noise level and a generous amount of stowage space. The high-grade cockpit and stowage facilities make sure that you are extremely comfortable and safe in the Amarok. The standard specification includes not only airbags for the driver and front passenger but also ABS, ESP with trailer stabilisation (trailer stabilisation only with factory-fitted tow bar), hill holder and hill descent assist.