Set to arrive there later this year.
Volkswagen has, in Europe, confirmed a new variant of the popular Amarok ute, packing a stronger V6 mill that should see its way into the greater range soon. Dubbed the Amarok Aventura, the new model will sit atop the present range as a flagship and as such, offers an extensive kit list that will undoubtedly put quite a number of SUVs on their toes.
Late last year, the Amarok Aventura was previewed in concept form, to gauge public reaction to a kitted-up posh pickup. Evidently reception was positive, considering that the model’s made it to production so soon. In the UK, show units will arrive in June while customer cars will be delivered by September, which we can only assume means our versions will arrive after that.
The big change that comes with the Aventura is the new 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel. A revised, retuned version of the existing mill, the engine now produces a grungier 190kW and 580Nm, making it 30Nm more torquey than a Mercedes-Benz X350d and considerably more powerful than the new Ford Ranger Raptor, which has just 157kW/500Nm.
Volkswagen’s Australian arm confirmed earlier this month the arrival of the new V6 diesel later this year, though the Aventura wasn’t specifically mentioned.
“As we’ve promised before, we have no intention of giving up the mantle of the most powerful ute in its class, and are looking to offer the upgraded 190kW Amarok V6 later this year. Amarok continues to be a huge success story for Volkswagen in Australia, with fans won from Birdsville to boardrooms alike.” — Carlos Santos, Director, Volkswagen Group Australia
We also know that that mill will arrive on our shores in the Amarok V6 Ultimate first, before finding its way to the Highline Black Edition, and then the rest of the V6 range at a later date.
The Aventura is a particularly interesting thing, though. The exterior is treated to a unique shade of ‘Peacock Green’ that’s rather lusty and deep, and the car rides on unique 20-inch alloys in a dark-graphite finish. And inside, you’ll find black Nappa leather upholstery, though that’s about the only change for the interior.
Prices for the Aventura are (naturally) expected to be above the existing Ultimate, though by how much remains a mystery. Making the case for the Aventura is the arrival of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class, which is itself not that much more expensive than the Volkswagen Amarok, but promises the kind of resolved ride and low NVH levels that will undoubtedly threaten the Amarok’s place as the default premium ute.
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