Volkswagen just announced its most powerful derivative in the Amarok range with a whopping 190 kW and 580 Nm under the hood. That is a massive 25 kW and 30 Nm more than the previous 3-litre, V6-diesel mill. And under full throttle for ten seconds, the power output will rise to a massive 200 kW.
Needless to say, at the top end of the double cab bakkie business, size, or should we say kilowatts, do matter.
In comparison, Mercedes-Benz's 350d X-class had a 3-litre, V6 boasting 190 kW and 500 Nm. Recently Ford upped the ante, not with its well known, 3.2-litre, five-cylinder variant with its modest 147 kW and 470 Nm but adding a sporty version of its new 2-litre, four pot diesel engine. This mean machine produces a very impressive 157 kW and V6-esque torque of 500 Nm.
But back to the newest athlete in the Amarok range. Matching Merc on kilowatts but with more torque for the Volksie-bakkie, the Amarok 4MOTION uses VW’s standard eight speed automatic gearbox.
Volkswagen claims a zero tot 100 km/h time in a traffic light to traffic light beating of just 7.6 seconds enough to frighten hot hatches. And don’t forget a claimed fuel consumption figure of 9.5 l/100 km’s, also impressive for a big heavy, 4x4 vehicle with ‘n V6 engine, even if it is a diesel mill.
The latest flagship Amarok-bakkie will be available in the following model lines - Highline and the top-of-the-range Extreme.
The Highline hosts standard features such as the leather seats, winter package (seat heating), increased GVM from 2.8 t to 3.0 t (including heavy duty leaf springs), Bi-Xenon headlights, front and rear Park Distance Control (PDC) with rear-view camera, Climatronic air-conditioning and new 18-inch alloy wheels. Optional features on the Highline are the Discover Pro Media system which includes satellite navigation, rubber floor covering and 19-inch alloy wheels.
In addition to the standard features on the Highline, which are also available on the Extreme, the top-of-the-range model is further customised with the addition of ‘Special Edition’ Nappa leather seats, Discover Pro Media system and 20-inch alloy wheels. The optional features on the Extreme are the Increased GVM from 2.8 t to 3.0 t (including heavy duty leaf springs), rubber floor covering, 19-inch alloy wheels and a sports bar painted in body colour.
In terms of price the two versions cost R908 300 for the Highline version and R974 600 for the range-topping Extreme.
VSL Manufacturing officially unveiled its new R750 million, purpose-built manufacturing facility adjacent to the Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) assembly plant in Struandale, marking a major milestone for South Africa’s automotive value chain, black industrialisation, and the Eastern Cape’s manufacturing ecosystem.
FAW Trucks Southern Africa recently welcomed the extended Southern African regional dealer network and teams as well as country managers, sales directors and technical heads from across the continent to its flagship manufacturing facility in the Coega Industrial Development Zone for the 2025 Export Dealer Conference.
With a passion for the brand and a commitment to delivering the best service and community involvement, MG’s new flagship dealer in Fourways is ready to take the iconic nameplate to new heights.
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If you are not taking care of your customer, your competitor will.
Bob Hooey
With Dongfeng entering South Africa a couple of weeks ago and with four dealerships operational now, it is interesting to look at the Chinese brand and its joint venture with Nissan (Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company - DFN), launching the new Teana at the Guangzhou Motor Show in China for the Chinese market.
Nissan Egypt is redefining sustainable mobility in Africa with the introduction of its third-generation e-Power technology used on the Nissan Qashqai and the opportunity to test drive the iconic new Patrol for the first time in Africa.
Nissan’s new Navara bakkie has been unveiled in Australia, and not in the cards for South Africa.
