Officially Official: Volkswagen Amarok pickup makes the scene

[Satty]

Linkitypoo

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. Predictably we can't get the Argentinian-built Amarok here. But feel free to inflame your trucky jealousy by reading the full press release, after the jump. Hat tips to Carlos and Doug!

[Camino LS6]

Would probably do ok here - mostly due to the diesel exclusive it would have.

[Intrepidation]

I like, front is handsome and the interior looks better than any other midsize pickup's.

[FAPTurbo]

The box seems like it's actually useful as opposed to the Sport-Trac. I'd totally dig a stick with the bigger diesel!

We might not get it up in Canada, but they've got a lot of nerve for naming it after the snow monster that is responsible for eating hapless Canadians!

Edited December 3, 2009 by Captainbooyah

[Robert Hall]

Amarok...an amorous anorak? (Anorak as in the UK subculture). It would be nice to see this here, it's pretty good looking little truck.

[Camino LS6]

I tend to think of pickups in this configuration as things of limited usefulness, but with the diesel and the towing capacity, this one is better than most.

The front is styled decently, DF.

The box is a bit puny, but people buy stuff like this.

[Robert Hall]

I'd like to see Jeep do a small truck of some sort, like the Wrangler pickup concept from a couple years ago, or maybe a GC or Commander w/ a box. Something different, for people that don't want the obesity of the Ram or the blandness of the Dakota..

[Camino LS6]

That Wrangler pickup was quite the cool piece.

[Intrepidation]

I'd like to see Jeep do a small truck of some sort, like the Wrangler pickup concept from a couple years ago, or maybe a GC or Commander w/ a box. Something different, for people that don't want the obesity of the Ram or the blandness of the Dakota..

I wish Jeep has rolled out the Gladiator than that stupid CompASS.

[Robert Hall]

I wish Jeep has rolled out the Gladiator than that stupid CompASS.

Yes. That is what I was thinking of. That is a truck I'd buy...it reminds me of an old Land Rover pickup.

[Camino LS6]

You know, given the changes I'm making, the Gladiator (with a plow) would almost be enough truck for me right now. Towing would be the only problem.

Neat truck.

[Z-06]

I wish Jeep has rolled out the Gladiator than that stupid CompASS.

Chrysler would have had something on their hands here. Oh well!!

[Satty]

Bring it here with only the big diesel and they'll get a few sales.

[pow]

The box seems like it's actually useful as opposed to the Sport-Trac. I'd totally dig a stick with the bigger diesel!

We might not get it up in Canada, but they've got a lot of nerve for naming it after the snow monster that is responsible for eating hapless Canadians!

Does Canada have a version of America's "chicken tax"? Maybe you guys will see it...

[the_yellow_dart]

They're stepping into a very weak market with a good looking product.

Seriously, which mid-size pickup would you buy right now? It's a matter of choosing the least bad truck.

[ocnblu]

Very nice. Love the diesel engines. Love that it is functional first, stylish second, with a full frame. It is a real truck. It would probably be priced out of the midsize market if sold here, which is a pity.

The GMT355 has a lot of the same attributes... functional first, stylish second, a real truck, no poseur. Wish GM would stick a diesel in the GMT355.

EDIT: cool! There's going to be a regular cab as well. VW, if you want to dominate the world, best to sell this in a country that absolutely LOVES pickup trucks, the USA!

Edited December 3, 2009 by ocnblu

[the_yellow_dart]

Can somebody photoshop some blood and a scrap of a plaid hunter's jacket on the front? Then it will truly be the AMAROK.

[PONTIAC06]

If it had a longer bed, I think that would make a great runabout truck, and with the diesel it would handle at least 90% of the towing I've ever done...