Wolkswagen Amarok 2010.

Well looky here – it's the latest in a long line of oddly named trucks from Volkswagen. This time, the Amarok refers to a cryptozoological Inuit giant wolf-creature that eats those who dares to hunt alone. No really. Regardless, the Amarok is VW's first pickup truck since the Caddy, aka the Rabbitamino first released in 1980. Aside from being thirty-years more new, the Amarok looks to be a bit, well, more stout.

Spartan, too – especially the no frills interior. And here's the really good part for you truck dudes – it's a real-deal, honest-to-goodness body-on-frame worker bee. Meaning it can haul 2,300 pounds and tow nearly three tons (5,600 pounds) when equipped with VW's 2.0-liter common-rail turbo diesel four-cylinder that's good for 163 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

A smaller diesel motor with 122 hp and 250 torques will be an option, as well as a direct-injected gasoline engine. True, it's not a Ford F-450 Super Duty. But then again, what is? And really, if hauling a couple of jet skis or a track car are your thing (as opposed to say a yacht), the Amarok could be your truck. If you live in Europe, South America, Asia, Africa or Australia.

For the powertrain, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has chosen two reliable, fuel-efficient and clean high-tech turbo-diesels for the pick-up's market launch. The 120 kW / 163 PS strong 2.0 TDI with common rail injection has two-stage bi-turbo turbocharging, which generates a torque of 400 Newton-meters at a low 1,500 rpm. Another four-cylinder TDI with 90 kW / 122 PS will follow as a second engine variant in mid-2010. It has a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry and develops a maximum torque of 340 Newton-meters from 2,000 rpm. Both engines are paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.

In addition to their agile responsiveness, the two engines dazzle with their extremely low – and for the entire market segment pioneering – fuel consumption values. Take the Amarok with switchable all-wheel drive as an example. Even in this 4x4 version, the 122-PS TDI consumes just 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres (equivalent to 199 g/km CO2). In the case of the 163-PS TDI, fuel consumption is also very economical at 7.8 litres (206 g/km CO2). This is the first time an all-wheel drive vehicle has been offered in this class whose CO2 emissions are less than 200 grams. Thanks to its 80-litre tank, the pick-up is also capable of ranges of over 1,000 kilometres! All Amarok pick-ups are equipped with an upshift indicator as well to assist drivers in attaining an economical mode of driving.

Exterior: The Amarok's cargo area delivers the largest dimensions of its class. On a truck bed height of just 525 millimetres, the cargo area measures 2.52 square meters (1,555 millimetre length, 1,620 millimetre width). But that is not all: Also "Best in class" is the 1,222 millimetre width between wheel wells. For the first time on a mid-size pick-up, it is possible to load Euro pallets sideways, saving on space. Thanks to its large dimensions and a payload capacity of up to 1.15 tonnes, sports equipment like quads and bulky machinery can also be transported. Four tie-down eyes in the corners of the truck bed protect cargo during the drive. In addition, the (optional) "hitch" can handle up to 2.8 tonnes trailer load.

Four airbags, ESP, ASR, ABS and assistance systems:

Naturally, the Amarok has height-adjustable head restraints and seatbelts at all five of its seating positions. The belts on the front seats are equipped with belt tensioners and are coupled to a visual and acoustic belt warning system. Side curtain airbags for head protection are also available for the driver and front passenger. ABS and ASR are standard features on the Amarok as is the electronic differential lock (EDL). Another standard feature activated by pushbutton is Off-Road ABS, which significantly shortens braking distances on off-road trails and gravel roads. If the optional ESP system is installed, when Offroad-ABS is enabled at vehicle speeds under 30 km/h this also activates Hill Descent Assist. It keeps driving speed constant by selective braking interventions, enabling safe and controlled hill descents. For the first time in this vehicle class, when driving under 30 km/h the driver can individually set the driving speed for the given descent conditions by braking and accelerating.

Furthermore, all vehicles are equipped with ESP plus Hill Hold Assist, which holds the vehicle in place while driving uphill until the driver presses the accelerator pedal enough to prevent rolling back.

Key markets for the Amarok are South America, South Africa and Australia, the Amarok is also expected to be a trendsetter in the contemporary pick-up class in Europe. Its market launch in South America is scheduled for early 2010, and Europe will follow in the second half of 2010.

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