- Unique Amarok – too big to park at 5.25m!
- Eight-speed ‘box, permanent all-wheel drive
- Loadbed takes standard pallet – sideways!
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – More than 30 000 VW Amarok bakkies have been sold in South Africa since the model’s launch in 2010 but now comes the Amarok Dark Label.
The new double-cab truck is identifiable from the rest of the Amarok range by, well, er, black… matte-black styling bar with ‘Amarok’ lettering, door releases, exterior mirrors, front protection grille and dark chromed lacquered ledges, tinted rear windows, blacked-out B-pillars, black side sills, ‘Dark Label’ décor film on its flanks, smoked tail lights and 18” alloy wheel tims.
The cabin also has the Dark Label motif: black headlining, leather upholstery, black-chrome air vents, and mats embroidered with ‘Dark Label’ lettering.
OFF-ROAD STABILITY
The bakkie’s functional and standard features include bi-xenon headlights, daytime running lights, front/rear parking radar (the Amarok is a big truck!), tyre-pressure monitor, ‘Plus’ multi-function data computer, ‘Composition Media’ infotainment system, app-connect with voice control, and a multi-function steering wheel.
Crash avoidance and mitigation equipment includes an on/off-road stability program, and VW’s automatic post-collision braking to reduce the chance or severity of a secondary collision.
READ THE original SA launch feature and images from 2010
Despite all the above, there’s also a number of customisation features: seat heaters (winter package), heavy-duty suspension, rear camera, aircon, infotainment system with satnav, and a rubber floor covering for the cab and passenger compartment.
EIGHT-SPEED AUTO STANDARD
As we said, the bakkie is big – at 5.25m long it won’t fit a standard kerbside parking bay and will stick out from the line with a width of 2.23m – including the external mirrors. The load bed, VW says, can accommodate a standard Euro pallet – sideways!
Motive power comes from a 2.0 BiTDi engine capable of 132kW at 4000rpm and 420Nm from 1500-2000rpm. It spins an eight-speed auto transmission with permanent all-wheel drive system.
READ MORE Amarok features on Carman’s Corner
It’s no slouch, either, if such things still matter: 0-100km/h in 11.3sec and top speed of about 180km/h but 8.5 litres/100km is said to be possible. The fuel tank holds 80 litres.
…AND SO TO THE PRICE
Amarok Dark Label 2.0 BiTDI a/t – R674 600
Service and warranty includes a three-year or 100 000km manufacturer’s warranty, five-year or 90 000km service plan and a six-year anti-rust through warranty. Service intervals 15 000-km.
JUST FOR INTEREST…
…these were the prices when the Amarok was launched in South Africa back in 2010
Amarok Trendline
2.0 TDI Trendline 4×2 90kW – R316 840
2.0 TDI Trendline 4Motion 90kW – R364 440
Amarok Highline
2.0 BiTDI Highline 4×2 120kW – R342 440
2.0 BiTDI Highline 4Motion 120kW – R390 040
