Volkswagen Gives 2017 Amarok New V6 Turbodiesel

As we were previously informed, Volkswagen had been planning a raft of midlife updates to its Amarok pickup. Those were first seen in exterior flourishes, but now VW has revealed some under-the-hood weaponry to back it up.

In a slightly unexpected upsizing exercise, the Amarok’s engine has undergone a transplant. Gone is the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel unit and in its place is a new, more powerful 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel.

It will be made available in three levels of tune, which depending on variant selected, serves up 120kW, 150kW, or the most powerful 165kW that will be made available for sale first. All of which are compliant with Euro 6 emissions standards.

Designed to supply ample amounts of torque at low engine speeds, the new 165kW V6 offers up its maximum torque figure of 550Nm as early as 1,500rpm – 130Nm more than the 2.0 four in the current Amarok.

All three engine tunes will be mated to an 8-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission that will intelligently reduce engine revs during high speed cruises to further sip fuel. Volkswagen say that on a combined cycle, the 2017 Amarok with its new engine consumes 7.6-litres/100km and emits a claimed 199g CO/km.

Of course, the all four of the new Amarok’s wheels are drive through the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system which is permanently engaged with a Torsen differential on variants with an automatic transmission or as a part-time 4WD on units with a manual shifter.

Staying on the mechanical upgrades, Volkswagen has outfitted the new Amarok (with the range topping 165kW engine) with larger disc brakes (17-inches at the front, 16-inches at the rear) while Servotronic electric steering and Automatic Post-Collision Braking System is now included as standard.

There is a new variant making its debut alongside this reveal called the Aventura. Slated to go on sale in Europe with an Aussie release possibly following the updated 2017 Amarok’s local debut later this year, the Aventura comes with additional styling bars (body coloured), 20-inch alloy wheels, rear-view camera, bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED license plate lighting, and LED-illuminated side sills.