Amarok will rock the market

Henrie Geyser's advice to any nay-sayers is simple: “Go and drive one yourself".

By cleverly dividing its six model single cab offering into two specification levels, the German manufacturer gives buyers a clear choice between the Basic model workhorses or the higher-specced Trendline models aimed more at the leisure market.

Both model ranges offer the choice of all three engine options. The 4Motion 4x4 derivatives are offered in both model ranges linked to a 2.0-litre TDI engine and the Trendline specification also has a 4x4 2.0BiTD model.

VWSA says the Basic models are aimed at fleet users in the courier/delivery, construction, mining, rental, small business and government sectors with an overlap into technical and manufacturing service providers where key purchase decisions are price, running costs, reliability, load capacity, safety, comfort.

The Trendline single cabs are aimed at users who have a dual-purpose application with a crossover between work and leisure and who are individual operators rather than large volume fleet buyers. This level is aimed at meeting the needs of individual operators rather than large volume fleet buyers and factors such as brand loyalty, safety, durability and technical ability are key considerations.

We lugged some cement along for the ride

During our two-day intimate acquaintance with the smaller cab models our group of motoring journos were impressed by the bakkie's amazingly smooth ride, comfortable, relatively quiet and spacious cabin, the ease with which its mastered tough off-road sections (which included crawling over boulders, through wash-aways, ploughing through sand and mud) and even taking a crossing of the strong-running Fish River in its stride.

Our ride took us from Port Elizabeth Airport and back along about 280km of motorway, long stretches of gravel (at times badly potholed) and into some really tough terrain in the scenic reserve.

As if the terrain itself wasn't trying enough already, VW also loaded pallets with cement bags weighing about 600kg on to all the test vehicles.

However, the new Amaroks sailed through all the tests with flying colours.

My driving partner and I drove the 90kw/340Nm 2.0-litre TDI 4Motion Basic and the much smarter, more powerful and considerably more expensive Trendline 4x4 version powered by the 120kW/400 Nm 2.0-litre BiTDI engine during the two-day introduction and although the workhorse had considerably less punch, it was just as comfortable on the tar and as capable in the rough as the classier model.

Both models come standard with a six-speed manual gearbox

South Africa was a natural choice for the launch of the new range.

On the steep inclines where progress was extremely difficult we found that the more powerful of our test vehicles struggled to hold the vehicle still with the handbrake on. The clutch on both models also has a sharp bite with a very thin line between smooth take-off and grab-and-spin which was particularly noticeable when starting off on bad uphill terrain.

Other than that (and the odd creak from the door on the driver side of the 120kW model) we could find no fault with either vehicle.

Not cheap, but there is an upside or three

Price is always a factor with VW, who are not renowned for competitive pricing, and the single cabs are not cheap. Our Basic test model sells for R257 400 but it was equipped with optional extras such as a radio/CD (R3140), passenger airbag (R2730) and climatic air conditioning (R9620).

The Trendline test vehicle costs R335 000 standard but our test vehicle had a R2000 radio/CD and metallic paint (R1500) which would push the price to R338 500.

To ease the price pain all Amarok single cabs come standard with a five-year/90 000km service plan and a three-year/100 000km warranty - and they only need servicing at 15 000km intervals.

With all the different models on offer and three engines to pick from, choosing a vehicle specific to individual needs shouldn't be too difficult. However, given the choice (and the money!) I would definitely opt for the more expensive of the two options we drove because I love the way its powerful engine just idles up and down challenging stretches, stretches its legs effortlessly on the motorway, plus all the smart extras you get for your bucks.

VW also loaded pallets with cement bags weighing about 600kg on to all the test vehicles. However, the new Amaroks sailed through all the tests with flying colours.

However, if I had a small business (and counting the cents) the Basic model does everything one requires from a workhorse and like all the models in the new range, it benefits from the most spacious cabin in its class, as well as the best towing capacity and the largest loadbox.

Being the world's largest market for single-cab pick-ups, South Africa was a natural choice for the launch of the new range, illustrated by the fact that last year Amarok became the first bakkie to be named as finalist for the South African Car of the Year award.

Tradition has it that bakkie buyers in this country will invariably opt for the Toyota, Isuzu and Nissan and there are still sceptics who pull up their noses at the 2.0-litre engines of the Amarok range, in spite of the fact that a fleet of 35 Amaroks covered more than 18 000km as support vehicles for the Dakar Rally (covering some of the most challenging terrain in the world) without a single breakdown.

My advice to these nay-sayers is simple: "Go and drive one yourself."

When the double cab Amarok was launched in South Africa I wrote that one day maybe all bakkies would be as stylish, well-finished, safe and comfortable as this new VW clan and this very much applies to the single cab versions as well.

The introduction of the Amarok Double Cab saw the implementation of a number of advanced technologies in the pick-up market for the first time including the use of fuel-efficient TDI turbo charged direct injection engines with the less powerful of the two engines sipping a mere 7.6 litres / 100km in the combined cycle while emitting CO2 emissions of only 199g/km.

The same engines drive the single cab fleet and a new engine addition to the range in the last quarter of the year will see a 2.0-litre petrol joining the fleet.

To help fuel saving the sixth gear on all Amaroks is an overdrive and an upshift/downshift indicator in the instrument panel indicates optimal gearshift points.

Both models come standard with a six-speed manual gearbox.

click to enlarge

But besides being good-looking, powerful and economical the Amarok's real strength is its carrying capacity where it beats the opposition hands down with the widest load box at 1620mm which provides a useable width between the wheel arches of 1222mm - more than 100mm up on its nearest competitor.

It is also the only vehicle in the class that accommodates two Euro pallets in a crosswise configuration (a Euro pallet measures 1200x800mm). The Amarok's loadbox area is 3.57 m2, an advantage of 10% over the nearest competitor in the class.

Payload capacity is top of the class at between 1225 and 1354kg (depending on model) and when it comes to towing capacity the Amarok is in a league of its own with a gross combination mass of 5500kg, some 30% more than its nearest rival. This allows for a braked trailer weight of 2800kg, almost double that of competitors, on both 4X2 and 4X4 models. This towing performance applies to gradients of up to 12%. Maximum trailer nose weight on the tow hitch is 120kg.

There's even room for Victor

While there is strong close focus on carrying abilities, driver and passenger comfort and interior space have not been overlooked: the large cabin offers more than ample leg room, even for the Victor Matfields of this world. For further driver comfort the steering column is adjustable for both height and reach and the seat can also be adjusted for height.

Driver safety is another area in which the Amarok excels. The Amarok Double Cab has a Four Star Euro NCAP safety rating and VW says the safety features inherent in the double cab design have been carried forward to the single cab as well.

Safety features across the range include ABS anti-lock braking, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and a TCS traction control system. A driver side airbag is provided in the Basic specification (with passenger airbag optional) while the Trendline models come standard with driver and passenger airbags. Daytime running lights are also standard across the range.

The list of driving aids is long and technical, but in brief, it includes Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Engine Drag Torque Control (MSR), Maximum Rear Axle Deceleration (HVV) and a Brake Disc Wiper system.

And if this is not enough to make the VW salesman sweat for his commission, ask him to also explain the benefits and workings of the optional ESP system which includes hydraulic brake assist, hill start assist, trailer stabilisation, loading sensing and roll over protection.

So what's this 4Motion all-wheel drive system then>

And while you are there you might as well also ask him also to explain the functioning of VW's 4Motion all-wheel drive system which, inter alia, provides the Amarok with the capability of climbing inclines as steep as 45 degrees fully loaded.

When it comes to off-roading the Amarok shows its pedigree with an approach angle of 28º and exit angle of 23.6º, a ramp breakover angle of 23º to cope with steep humps along the route, plus the ability to drive through water up to a depth of half a metre.

The new single cab range might be pricey, but when you weigh up the advantages and plus factors, particularly its safety features and operational capabilities and running costs, it translates into common sense and clever cents.

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Basic specification models come standard with features such as power steering, headlight range adjustment, high level brake light with load box illumination, heat insulated glass all round, rear window heater, map pockets with integrated bottle holders in door panels and 12V socket in the centre console.

The Trendline specification models have all of these but also brag with extra fancies such as 16-inch alloy wheels (including spare) fitted with 245/70 R 16 tyres., anti-theft wheel nuts, an alarm system, remote controlled alarm and central locking, electrically adjustable side mirrors, power windows, radio/CD combination, climatic control air conditioner, steel rear bumper with step, front fog lights and cruise control.

Amarok is well on its way to growing its market in this country (in June Amarok already sold 463 double cabs to become the number 8 best selling light commercial vehicle on the local market) and the arrival of the single cab is certain to rock the rest of its class. The new single cab range might be pricey, but when you weigh up the advantages and plus factors, particularly its safety features and operational capabilities and running costs, it translates into common sense and clever cents.

The models and prices

Basic
Amarok Single Cab 2.0 TDI 90kW 4x2 - R205 500
Amarok Single Cab 2.0 TDI 90kW 4Motion - R257 400

Trendline
Amarok Single Cab 2.0 TDI 90kW 4x2 - R265 800
Amarok Single Cab 2.0 BiTDI 120kW 4x2 - R287 100
Amarok Single Cab 2.0 TDI 90kW 4Motion -R313 700
Amarok Single Cab 2.0 BiTDI 120kW 4Motion - R335 000

Specifications

Spy Shots VW Amarok single-cab