Volkswagen Robust
Encyclopedia
The Volkswagen Amarok is a mid-size pickup truck
built by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
(VWCV). The Amarok range consists of single cab and double cab, combined with either rear-wheel drive or 4motion
four-wheel drive
, and is powered by Turbocharged Direct Injection
(TDI) diesel engine
s. VWCV considers the Toyota Hilux
, Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton
to be Amarok competitors.
announced their intent to build the Robust Pick-Up and off road family of vehicles.
In 2007, popular automotive website WorldCarFans.com publishes first photos captured by RoAnSa Carspy Photography of the development mule of the Robust Pick Up concept vehicle wearing Toyota Hilux
body upon a Volkswagen developed chassis.
In March 2008, famed automotive spy photographer Hans Lehmann captures the first image of the Robust Pick up wearing a production body which is designed by Walter de'Silva
.
In September 2008, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles releases the Robust Pick Up concept in the disguise as a Search and Rescue (SAR) vehicle, which previews the full design, and is said to be 95% close to the production version.
The Amarok, the first pickup from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
, was presented to the general public in General Pacheco
, Argentina
on the 7th of December 2009 with the President
of Argentina
Cristina Kirchner attending.
Following the Launch in Argentina, the Amarok was a key support vehicle in the 2010 Dakar Rally
with 45 vehicles participating. German rocker, founder of the Scorpions, guitarist Rudolf Schenker, is a supporter of the Amarok and himself drove one during the 2010 Dakar Rally
.
In November 2010 the Amarok was awarded 4 stars from Euro NCAP under the 2010/2011 standard crash testing procedure.
In February 2011 the Amarok received a 5 stars award from the ANCAP - The Australasian New Car Assessment Program.
on request from Volkswagen.
Revealed to the public on 4 June 2009, "Amarok" means "Wolf" in the Inuit
language, and Interbrand also claims it is associated with "he loves stones" in Romanic [sic] languages. (Although recursing that phrase back into Romance languages produces significant differences, e.g. in Spanish "él ama a las rocas".) It also resembles "tomorrow" in Irish
. It is also the title of a 1990 record album
by musician Mike Oldfield
, a 2000 album of the German black metal solo project Nargaroth and the name of an open-source music player (version 1.0 in 2004).
(TDI) common rail
diesel engine
s, and Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) petrol engine
, with a FlexFuel (ethanol
) option for the Brazil
ian market.
As of 2010, the engine range consists of two 2.0L Turbocharged Direct Injection
(TDI) common rail
diesel engine
s which is taken from the Volkswagen Transporter (T5)
, it has been tuned for more torque but less power; the entry-level version produces 90 kW which develops a maximum torque of 340 newton metre from 2000 rpm. The top of the line bi-turbo version produces 120 kW which develops a maximum torque of 400 newton metre from 1500 rpm.
Fuel consumption in a combined cycle format is as low as 7.6 L/100 km on the rear wheel drive variant to 8.1 L/100 km on the 4Motion theoretically giving the Amarok a 1000 km (621.4 mi) range before filling up for fuel.
The Shiftable all wheel drive system can shift drive between the axles whereas the Permanent full time all wheel drive system distributes power through a Torque Sensing (Torsen) differential with a 40:60 ratio between the front and rear axles.
, Argentina
; for South American, Mexico
, Russia
n, South African, Oceania
and Europe
an markets.
It is expected to produce 90,000 Amaroks annually once production it is at full capacity.
The Hanover
site was dropped from possible sites to produce the Amarok due to the Global Financial Crisis and increasing economic costs in Europe in 2009.
In September 2010 it was decided by the Volkswagen Group
Board of Management that 40,000 Amarok pickups will be built in Hanover
, Germany
for the European and small volume markets from the middle of 2012.
Production Figures:
The front bumper, wing mirrors and door handles come in black.
Also painted in the body colour are the front bumper, door handles and wing mirrors.
In the Australian Publication Transport Today, it was reported that Phil Clark, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Director
in Australia
, was trying to convince his German Bosses to add a chassis cab
programme to Project RPU.
Spin-offs
Rumoured platform spin-offs include a five to seven seat Nissan Pathfinder
and Mitsubishi Challenger
rival.
SAR Pickup concept also was equipped for Lifeguards with: four mobile CB radios, flashlights, first aid kit with a defibrillator, binoculars, two safety helmets, removable neoprene
seats for hard wearing, and a blue light roof module with integrated searchlight.
Possible production features that were on the concept: radio navigation system controlled by a multifunction touch screen, differential locks, cable winch and the rear logo opens the tailgate.
2008 SAR Concept Pickup
at Melbourne International Motor Show
2009
Pickup truck
A pickup truck is a light motor vehicle with an open-top rear cargo area .-Definition:...
built by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles , , is a German manufacturer of commercial vehicles. Originally part of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars company, it is now a separate brand and marque of the Volkswagen Group....
(VWCV). The Amarok range consists of single cab and double cab, combined with either rear-wheel drive or 4motion
4motion
4motion is a registered trademark of Volkswagen AG, used exclusively on Volkswagen-branded automobiles which utilise four-wheel drive systems. Volkswagen has previously used the term "Syncro" for its 4WD models....
four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
, and is powered by Turbocharged Direct Injection
Turbocharged Direct Injection
TDI or Turbocharged Direct Injection is a design of turbodiesel engines, which feature turbocharging and cylinder-direct fuel injection, developed and produced by Volkswagen Group. These TDI engines are widely used in all mainstream Volkswagen Group marques of passenger cars and light commercial...
(TDI) diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
s. VWCV considers the Toyota Hilux
Toyota Hilux
The Toyota Hilux is a series of compact pickup trucks produced and marketed by the Toyota Motor Corporation. Most countries used the Hilux name for the entire life of the series but in North America, the Hilux name was retired in 1976 in favor of Truck, Pickup Truck, or Compact Truck...
, Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton
Mitsubishi Triton
The Mitsubishi Triton is a compact pickup truck produced by Mitsubishi Motors. It was originally known as the Mitsubishi Forte in Japan from 1978 to 1986, when the name was discontinued in favour of the Strada. In the United States two captive imports of the Forte were sold by the Chrysler...
to be Amarok competitors.
History
In 2005, Volkswagen Commercial VehiclesVolkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles , , is a German manufacturer of commercial vehicles. Originally part of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars company, it is now a separate brand and marque of the Volkswagen Group....
announced their intent to build the Robust Pick-Up and off road family of vehicles.
In 2007, popular automotive website WorldCarFans.com publishes first photos captured by RoAnSa Carspy Photography of the development mule of the Robust Pick Up concept vehicle wearing Toyota Hilux
Toyota Hilux
The Toyota Hilux is a series of compact pickup trucks produced and marketed by the Toyota Motor Corporation. Most countries used the Hilux name for the entire life of the series but in North America, the Hilux name was retired in 1976 in favor of Truck, Pickup Truck, or Compact Truck...
body upon a Volkswagen developed chassis.
In March 2008, famed automotive spy photographer Hans Lehmann captures the first image of the Robust Pick up wearing a production body which is designed by Walter de'Silva
Walter de'Silva
Walter Maria de'Silva is an Italian car designer who is currently Head of Volkswagen Group Design, and is currently responsible for oversight on the design of all Volkswagen Group passenger car brands including Audi, Volkswagen, SEAT, Škoda as well as Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti...
.
In September 2008, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles releases the Robust Pick Up concept in the disguise as a Search and Rescue (SAR) vehicle, which previews the full design, and is said to be 95% close to the production version.
The Amarok, the first pickup from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles , , is a German manufacturer of commercial vehicles. Originally part of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars company, it is now a separate brand and marque of the Volkswagen Group....
, was presented to the general public in General Pacheco
General Pacheco
General Pacheco is a city in Tigre Partido, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The city's position inside Tigre significantly sums up to its importance inside the partido...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
on the 7th of December 2009 with the President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
Cristina Kirchner attending.
Following the Launch in Argentina, the Amarok was a key support vehicle in the 2010 Dakar Rally
Dakar Rally
The Dakar Rally is an annual rally raid type of off-road automobile race, organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation...
with 45 vehicles participating. German rocker, founder of the Scorpions, guitarist Rudolf Schenker, is a supporter of the Amarok and himself drove one during the 2010 Dakar Rally
2010 Dakar Rally
The 2010 Dakar Rally was the 31st running of the event. It was held in South America for the second successive time, and ran from 1 to 16 January...
.
In November 2010 the Amarok was awarded 4 stars from Euro NCAP under the 2010/2011 standard crash testing procedure.
In February 2011 the Amarok received a 5 stars award from the ANCAP - The Australasian New Car Assessment Program.
Naming
The name 'Amarok' was developed and researched by branding agency InterbrandInterbrand
Interbrand, a division of Omnicom, is a global branding consultancy, specializing in vast brand services, including brand analytics, brand strategy, brand valuation, corporate design, digital brand management, and naming...
on request from Volkswagen.
Revealed to the public on 4 June 2009, "Amarok" means "Wolf" in the Inuit
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
language, and Interbrand also claims it is associated with "he loves stones" in Romanic [sic] languages. (Although recursing that phrase back into Romance languages produces significant differences, e.g. in Spanish "él ama a las rocas".) It also resembles "tomorrow" in Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
. It is also the title of a 1990 record album
Amarok (album)
Amarok is the 13th record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1990. It is considered by fans to be his most distinctive work: a single sixty-minute track of continuous, uninterrupted but constantly-changing music....
by musician Mike Oldfield
Mike Oldfield
Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
, a 2000 album of the German black metal solo project Nargaroth and the name of an open-source music player (version 1.0 in 2004).
Engines
The Amarok is powered by a range of Turbocharged Direct InjectionTurbocharged Direct Injection
TDI or Turbocharged Direct Injection is a design of turbodiesel engines, which feature turbocharging and cylinder-direct fuel injection, developed and produced by Volkswagen Group. These TDI engines are widely used in all mainstream Volkswagen Group marques of passenger cars and light commercial...
(TDI) common rail
Common rail
Common rail direct fuel injection is a modern variant of direct fuel injection system for petrol and diesel engines.On diesel engines, it features a high-pressure fuel rail feeding individual solenoid valves, as opposed to low-pressure fuel pump feeding unit injectors...
diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
s, and Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) petrol engine
Petrol engine
A petrol engine is an internal combustion engine with spark-ignition, designed to run on petrol and similar volatile fuels....
, with a FlexFuel (ethanol
Ethanol
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...
) option for the Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian market.
As of 2010, the engine range consists of two 2.0L Turbocharged Direct Injection
Turbocharged Direct Injection
TDI or Turbocharged Direct Injection is a design of turbodiesel engines, which feature turbocharging and cylinder-direct fuel injection, developed and produced by Volkswagen Group. These TDI engines are widely used in all mainstream Volkswagen Group marques of passenger cars and light commercial...
(TDI) common rail
Common rail
Common rail direct fuel injection is a modern variant of direct fuel injection system for petrol and diesel engines.On diesel engines, it features a high-pressure fuel rail feeding individual solenoid valves, as opposed to low-pressure fuel pump feeding unit injectors...
diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
s which is taken from the Volkswagen Transporter (T5)
Volkswagen Transporter (T5)
The Volkswagen Transporter T5 range is the fifth generation of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles medium-sized light commercial vehicle and people mover Caravelle/Multivan range...
, it has been tuned for more torque but less power; the entry-level version produces 90 kW which develops a maximum torque of 340 newton metre from 2000 rpm. The top of the line bi-turbo version produces 120 kW which develops a maximum torque of 400 newton metre from 1500 rpm.
Fuel consumption in a combined cycle format is as low as 7.6 L/100 km on the rear wheel drive variant to 8.1 L/100 km on the 4Motion theoretically giving the Amarok a 1000 km (621.4 mi) range before filling up for fuel.
Engines
| Model | Years | Engine | Displ. | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 TSI | 2011– | I4 16V | 1984 cc | 118 kW @ 3800–5500 rpm | 300 newton metre @ 1600–3750 rpm |
| 2.0 TDI (CR) DPF | 2010– | I4 16V | 1968 cc | 90 kW @ 3750 rpm | 340 newton metre @ 1750–2250 rpm |
| 2.0 BiTDI (CR) DPF | 2010– | I4 16V | 1968 cc | 120 kW @ 4000 rpm | 400 newton metre @ 1500–2000 rpm |
Driveline
The Amarok has three drive concepts: rear wheel drive, Shiftable 4Motion and Permanent 4Motion.The Shiftable all wheel drive system can shift drive between the axles whereas the Permanent full time all wheel drive system distributes power through a Torque Sensing (Torsen) differential with a 40:60 ratio between the front and rear axles.
Production sites and figures
The Amarok is currently being produced in the Volkswagen Group plant in General PachecoGeneral Pacheco
General Pacheco is a city in Tigre Partido, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The city's position inside Tigre significantly sums up to its importance inside the partido...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
; for South American, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n, South African, Oceania
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an markets.
It is expected to produce 90,000 Amaroks annually once production it is at full capacity.
The Hanover
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
site was dropped from possible sites to produce the Amarok due to the Global Financial Crisis and increasing economic costs in Europe in 2009.
In September 2010 it was decided by the Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen Group is a German multinational automobile manufacturing group. , Volkswagen was ranked as the world’s third largest motor vehicle manufacturer and Europe's largest....
Board of Management that 40,000 Amarok pickups will be built in Hanover
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
for the European and small volume markets from the middle of 2012.
Production Figures:
- 2009 = 193
- 2010 = 44,525
- 2011 = 25,518 (until May 2011)
Model lines
Three equipment lines will be offered on the Amarok; base version, Trendline and Highline.Base version
The base version comes equipped with 16-inch steel wheels, height-adjustable front seats, variable folding rear bench seats, locking glove box, cargo platform lighting, antenna integrated within wing mirrors, manual window regulators, manual door locking and manual wing mirror adjustment.The front bumper, wing mirrors and door handles come in black.
Trendline
The Trendline grade has over the base version electrically operated door locking, electric windows and wing mirror adjustment as well as a radio with a CD player, climate control (Climatic), multi-functional display, cruise control, front fog lights, 17-inch aluminium wheels.Also painted in the body colour are the front bumper, door handles and wing mirrors.
Highline
The Highline grade has over the Trendline part chrome mirror housings, chrome strips on radiator grille and around the fog lights, chrome rear bumper bar 18-inch aluminium wheels, automatic climate control (Climatronic), leatherette/leather fabric on the interior.Double cab
The Amarok will first be launched with a double cab variant. The model-line code of the Double Cabin is VWN817.Single cab
The single cab variant of the Amarok has been released in 2011.Other variants
Chassis cabIn the Australian Publication Transport Today, it was reported that Phil Clark, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles , , is a German manufacturer of commercial vehicles. Originally part of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars company, it is now a separate brand and marque of the Volkswagen Group....
Director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, was trying to convince his German Bosses to add a chassis cab
Chassis cab
A chassis cab or cab chassis is a body style, and type of vehicle construction, often found in medium duty truck commercial vehicles.Instead of supplying the customer with a factory pre-assembled flatbed, cargo container, or other equipment - the customer is given the vehicle with just 'chassis'...
programme to Project RPU.
Spin-offs
Rumoured platform spin-offs include a five to seven seat Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder is a SUV manufactured by Nissan Motors since 1986, derived from Nissan's compact pickup truck platform. The Pathfinder is slotted in size between the Murano and Armada or Patrol, but in price between the Xterra and Murano...
and Mitsubishi Challenger
Mitsubishi Challenger
- First generation :Production began in Japan in 1996, and was available for most export markets by 1997, where it was variously known as the Challenger, Pajero Sport in Europe, Montero Sport in North America and South America, Nativa in parts of Central America and the Middle East, Shogun Sport...
rival.
Amarok and Scorpions
Scorpions' band nucleus, Rudolf Schenker, Klaus Meine and Matthias Jabs are associated since 2009 to the promotion of the Amarok. Rudolf Schenker is the most involved, since his participation in the 2010 Paris-Dakar Rally. Later in 2010, he and the special project division of VW teamed in the design of a unique, custom Amarok, done with the graphics of the Scorpions band and fitted with a 3D, lighted scorpion tail. Rudolf Schenker is featured since November 2010 in numerous blogs and automobile websites with the "Scorpions" Amarok and an equally custom "VW Flying V" guitar built by PGG Guitars in Canada.Awards
- Auto Esporte - Pickup of the Year 2011 (Brazil)
- Auto Test - Cruze, One and Amarok, the best of the year according Auto Test (Argentina)
- Parabrisas - Pickup of the Year 2011 (Argentina)
- MotorTransport - International Pickup Truck of the Year (UK)
- OFF ROAD - Pickup of the Year 2011 (Germany)
- Magazin Jäger - Goldenen Keiler (Golden Boar) Best Hunting Car (Germany)
- ROAD - Russian Automobile Dealers Golden Klaxon - Special Vehicles Class (Russia)
Search and Rescue Pickup concept
Volkswagen revealed their one tonne pickup study at the 2008 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in September; the SAR Pickup measures 5.18 metres (17 ft) in length and 1.9 metres (6 ft) in width, and the 1.55 metres (5 ft) long cargo bed can carry a Euro sized broad pallet sideways.SAR Pickup concept also was equipped for Lifeguards with: four mobile CB radios, flashlights, first aid kit with a defibrillator, binoculars, two safety helmets, removable neoprene
Neoprene
Neoprene or polychloroprene is a family of synthetic rubbers that are produced by polymerization of chloroprene. Neoprene in general has good chemical stability, and maintains flexibility over a wide temperature range...
seats for hard wearing, and a blue light roof module with integrated searchlight.
Possible production features that were on the concept: radio navigation system controlled by a multifunction touch screen, differential locks, cable winch and the rear logo opens the tailgate.
2008 SAR Concept Pickup
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
at Melbourne International Motor Show
Australian International Motor Show
The Australian International Motor Show is an annual auto show held in Australia, alternating between the cities of Sydney and Melbourne. Prior to the Sydney event in 2010, both cities previously hosted separate annual exhibitions...
2009