This bakkie will ama-rock you

The Amarok is a truck-load more than just a new bakkie with a VW badge stuck on its radiator grille.

However, the Amarok is a truck-load more than just a new bakkie with a VW badge stuck on its radiator grille. For when it comes to looks VW has delivered a lesson in what can be done to make bakkies sexy.

What's more, the competition is certainly getting a wake-up call with the high quality standards set by the Amarok's living quarters which make all the others seem dowdy.

The materials and controls are straight from the Audi-VW parts bin and everything is screwed and glued together with the high level of care and efficiency for which German carmakers are renowned.

Safety first

In addition to acres of space (VW brags with the largest interior in this segment), its double-cab brims with safety features, even down head/thorax airbags which are rare in this market. It oozes a really pleasant ambiance which will delight both fun-seekers and commercial haulers.

Initially VW has come to the market with only one four-door model (a single cabin is on its way), with the choice of two engines, two specification levels and the option of either a 4x2 or 4x4 version.

This is NOT a 'pick-up'! It's a bakkie! Got it?!

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The prices range from R316 840 for the cheapest 4x2 and R390 040 for the top of the range 4x4 which does escalate it into the upper price echelons in the world of bakkies.

However, to ease some of the price pain the Amarok's price includes a three-year/120 000km manufacturer warranty and a five-year/90 000km service plan.

Power comes in the shape of a 2.0-litre BiTDI which kicks out 120kW and 400Nm and provides a top speed of about 180km/h and a less gutsy 2.0-litre TDI that makes 90 kW and 240Nm and is capable of reaching about 160km/h.

Both engines are four cylinders and are linked to 6-speed manual boxes. All four derivatives come standard with airbags, ABS brakes, central locking, power steering, aircon, a good sound system and power windows.

Oh, what a ride

Fuel consumption for the two engines is given as somewhere between 9 and 10 litres per 100km and emissions of between 202 and 208.

Just one little niggle with the test vehicle, but apart from that...

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Our test vehicle was a silver and chrome 4x2 TDI Trendline which got a collective nod for its looks (although one or two said it looked a tad "too soft and rounded") and it scored maximum points for its ride quality and car-like comfort.

I would be quite happy to travel the long stretch of tar and gravel all the way from Cape Town to the Kgalagadi in an Amarok and to share the ride with three adults.

Just two niggles and they are probably due to the fact that our test vehicle was a low-mileage Media test vehicle... The instruction manual and all other documents pertaining to the Amarok were all in German only, and the seatbelt on the passenger side was extremely difficult to use because the buckle has to be wedged down a tight gap between the seat and central console.

The engine is a tad turbo-lazy initially but it picks up quite rapidly from then on to produce all of its torque ammunition at about 1750rpm. For top power you have to push on to 3750rpm.

The diesel produces a pleasant throaty growl which is not at all intrusive, even at a fair trot.

The ride is excellent and way better, smoother and quieter than most other one-ton thump and bump load-haulers.

Back the bakkie!

The engine is on the small side, but packs a punch - but only time will tell...

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VW prefers to call its new baby a "pick-up" rather than a bakkie, but if it seriously wants to wear khaki pants and compete with the boykies in their Toyotas, Nissans and Isuzus then the Amarok marketing suits had better shake off anything that sounds American, Aussie or lipsticky and get used to the idea that in this bakkie-mad country the Amarok is a bakkie and NOT a pick-up.

Which brings me to the heart of the matter: how does the Amarok stack up against the proven veterans in the rough and tough and in the towing and load-carrying stakes?

Briefly, in terms of load it is a workhorse capable of hauling 948kg (and even up to 1 147kg if you fork out a bigger cheque for optional heavy-duty suspension) which is as good or better than the rest.

The one haulage bummer is the Amarok's unprotected loadbox. I transported a not too large, not too heavy wooden box for a short distance on a smooth tar road from the Hout Bay harbour to my home literally around the corner and the crate left scuff marks on the bright and shiny load bay floor.

A bit of a looker

All the bits and bobs.

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On the road it offers a ride better than most and VW says it is excellent in the real rough and tough stuff although I didn't have the opportunity to put this to the test. Some might find its tar travel a little on the soft side, but regular long distance travellers will love it.

The interior finish is faultless. And I promise you, I looked and touched and examined virtually every fraction of cabin space.

In terms of appearance I can think of nothing handsomer in its class. VW has done a grand job of getting shiny alloys, chrome load bay bar, gaping black grille, flared wheel arches, shapely headlights and the huge Chrome VW badge up front to blend together very tastefully.

Price-wise it is ouch, but VW is known for its rather steep pricing and, as the saying goes: "If you want quality you must be prepared to pay for it."

We didn't get the opportunity to see how it copes with hauling a boat, trailer or caravan so if you have towing needs you better drive and do the comparisons yourself.

However, the one question everybody is asking is: "What about its small turbo-charged engine and will it last the distance if it is subjected to a heavy workload on a daily basis?"

Good little package

The one haulage bummer is the Amarok’s unprotected loadbox.

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This is quite a legitimate concern because being small it has to work all that much harder than its bigger-engined rivals, all of them with a long and well-established track record of toughness and reliability.

Well, that's one question that only time and many kilometres will tell. Fact is, even though the engine is small in size it is big on power.

Loyal VW fans won't be put off by its unproven newness and they will be quick to point out that VW tested the Amarok for zillions of kilometres in tough and varying conditions and as a brand there is just simply too much at stake for them to bring a risky product to the market.

At this stage I think the Big Three bakkie producers won't have too many sleepless nights in the immediate future, but they are well-advised to sleep with one eye open.

Certainly the okes with the thick glasses, long hair and white coats who work in the R&D departments of Toyota, Isuzu and Nissan are probably already being whipped into action by the suits who pay their salaries to come up with ways of upgrading their bakkies to match the high standards set by the Amarok.

One thing is for sure, Amarok has turned up the volume and it's not going to take long for sales to start rock and rolling with the VW boys clapping hands and singing their own version of the famous 1977 Queen hit song: "We will, we will, Amarok you...."

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VW AMAROK CHALLENGE Official version mpg

Best Drive VW Amarok - Expovale - Lajeado (RS) - 20/11/2010