Volkswagen Argentina published the first official photo of the Amarok for the South American market, an updated version of the original pickup truck that debuted back in 2009. Production of the truck has already started at the Pacheco Industrial Center in Argentina. The company refers to the new model as the third-gen VW Amarok, but in reality, it is a more extensive facelift of the first generation. The second-gen VW Amarok is already available in other markets including Europe and Australia, sharing its underpinnings with the Ford Ranger.
The new image gives us a better look at
the design of the South American-spec Amarok, following a leaked photo from the
factory floor. The profile of the truck is largely carried over, but the front
end has been significantly redesigned, adopting fresh styling cues from recent
VW models. The highlight of the new front end is the modern headlights
incorporated within the new grille alongside a full-width LED bar. The bumper
is more sculpted than before, with intakes reminiscent of the smaller VW
Saveiro truck. We can also see a new design for the alloy wheels, while changes
at the back are expected to be minor, likely focused on the taillight graphics.
VW didn’t reveal any technical details,
but it will most likely retain the ladder-frame underpinnings of the old
Amarok. The small emblem on the grille suggests that the 3.0-liter turbo-diesel
V6 will be carried over, together with the smaller 2.0-liter four-cylinder
turbodiesel. The extensive visual updates might be combined with an updated
chassis setup, and some modern technology inside the cabin. Chances are that VW
will keep offering single and double-cab versions of the truck.
We expect to learn more about Latin
America’s new VW Amarok in the coming weeks or months, at the official debut of
the model. Volkswagen has produced more than 740,000 units of the Amarok in the
Pacheco plant since its debut, with 65 percent of the output destined for
export markets outside Argentina.
