VOLKSWAGEN Australia might broaden its V6 Amarok providing on the subsequent mannequin 12 months revamp, with executives on the model suggesting the vary might see some modifications.
At the moment, Volkswagen’s Amarok line-up consists of 4 powertrain selections; the Core base mannequin has a single-turbo diesel (TDI405), whereas the Life and Fashion fashions can be found with a bi-turbo diesel (TDI500), and the Fashion, Panamericana and Aventura have a V6 diesel (TDI600). There may be additionally the turbo-petrol TSI452 on provide within the Aventura.
By the point the previous-generation Amarok reached the top of its lifecycle, VW supplied its personal TDI V6 engine throughout the complete mannequin vary. Nevertheless, the second-generation Amarok makes use of a Ford-built Lion V6 – which has lineage relationship again a long time – and six-cylinder selections are restricted to utes with a price-tag north of $73,000.
Volkswagen Business Autos head of promoting and product, Nathan Johnson, stated the enterprise is assessing the way it could make the V6 out there to extra Amarok consumers.
“We’re exploring the place we are able to get the V6, and there is undoubtedly alternative down there (on the decrease finish of the vary),” stated Mr Johnson. “There’s nothing official to say but, however we’re undoubtedly exploring that chance.”
Mr Johnson defined that it isn’t essentially a matter of pulling demand away from the high-grade fashions, however as a substitute about interesting to a distinct kind of buyer which will have extra of an influence on the model’s backside line than a non-public purchaser.
“I believe it’s going to open up extra alternatives for us in different areas – fleets and so forth,” Mr Johnson stated.
“There’s all the time going to be robust demand for the top-spec fashions. We have seen that for the previous six or seven years since we introduced V6 in nevertheless it’s extra to open up additional alternatives for us out there.”
When requested about different potential powertrains, such because the plug-in hybrid to be supplied within the Ford Ranger – with which the present Amarok was co-developed – from 2025, and the all-new BYD Shark plug-in hybrid due this 12 months, Mr Johnson stated that he and the model are keeping track of progress.
“It is an fascinating area – we’re simply ready to see the way it all goes,” he stated, alluding to the potential influence of the federal authorities’s New Car Effectivity Commonplace (NVES) on the ute market when it kicks in subsequent 12 months.
“We’re exploring all the things. There’s nothing official that we are able to say that we’ve got from the factories as but, however there’s undoubtedly conversations, off the again of the brand new NVES scheme.”
Volkswagen Australia common supervisor of company communications, Paul Pottinger, indicated the enterprise might push on with no PHEV ute from a NVES perspective.
“We as a bunch, and Volkswagen as a model, is in fairly good condition. Different manufacturers, which in all probability do not have the identical numerous portfolio, or (the shortage of) a various portfolio in any respect can be a larger concern for them,” he stated of the VW Group’s array of companies.
These embody Cupra, Skoda, Audi and Porsche, by way of which a number of fuel-efficient inner combustion engine fashions, plug-in hybrids and battery electrical automobiles are already offered in Australia, with extra of the latter to reach within the coming months to offset the emissions of heavier polluting utes and such.
“It is an fascinating growth, different drivetrains are all the time fascinating,” stated Mr Pottinger. “However our necessity would not be as nice as others.”
The Amarok ute has simply pushed itself into the number-one promoting spot for VW in Australia, displacing the T-Roc small SUV.
In keeping with VFACTS gross sales figures to the top of April 2024, the Amarok had chalked up 3003 deliveries to account for 25.5 per cent of VW’s complete Australian quantity of 11,750 models by way of the primary 4 months of this 12 months.
