It would seem that the Aussies are now going out of their way to create bakkie envy among South Africans. Not long after Nissan revealed its Navara Warrior Down Under, Volkswagen’s Australian Commercial Vehicles division has revealed the 2022 version of its Amarok W580X.
As with the Nissan, this wilder-looking Amarok is also the result of a collaboration with a local engineering company, and in this case it’s Walkinshaw that did the greasy work. While there are no engine mods to speak of, the Amarok V6 that this new edition is based on is already well endowed, with 190 kW (200 kW on overboost) and 580 N.m.
You’ll never mistake the W580X for an ordinary Amarok in the parking lot, thanks to a redesigned grille, front bumper inserts, custom bash plate and rock sliders, wheel arch extensions, Seikel underbody protection and unique 18-inch alloy wheels fitted with off-road tyres.
The Amarok edition also boasts lifted and modified suspension, with an off-road tune that includes the fitment of MTV twin tube dampers.
“The first W-Series was a chance to offer something that no-one else in the market could do – a powerful, dynamic ute that was as comfortable on highways as it was on alpine passes,” said VW Australia marketing head Nick Reid.
“With the new W580X, our W-Series Off-Road Amarok, we can lean in to another aspect of the Amarok’s platform. We know the Amarok is among the best off-roaders around in standard form, but with Walkinshaw giving it a unique tune, we’ll be able to offer something unbeatable to Australian customers”.
The Amarok W580X will be made available in Australia in limited numbers from April 2022, the company says.