The first generation Amarok gets a new face and integrates Volkswagen’s latest design language
- VW has presented a revised version of the original Amarok in Argentina.
- The “new” Amarok is an update of the 2009 model, while retaining the original powertrains.
- The truck features a new front end with modern headlights, grille and bumper.
Update 8/8: Just one month after the first teaser, Volkswagen has announced all the details about the new Amarok pickup truck.
Volkswagen has breathed new life into its aging first-generation Amarok pickup with a makeover for South America. The update breathes new life into the original mid-size truck that launched in 2009.
Although the company calls it a new model, in reality it is just a comprehensive facelift of the first generation Amarok, with no mechanical changes whatsoever. Meanwhile, a genuine second generation VW Amarok is already on the roads in markets such as Europe and Australia, where it shares its underpinnings with the Ford Ranger.
More: VW design chief shows rendering of an SUV based on the Amarok – but don’t get your hopes up
The visual updates focus on the redesigned front, which incorporates fresh styling elements from the latest VW models. The modern headlights are integrated into the new grille alongside an LED strip across the entire width. The bumper is more sculptural than before and the intakes are reminiscent of the smaller VW Saveiro truck.
The vehicle’s profile and rear are carried over from the original, a common practice in commercial vehicle and truck updates, but it features new 20-inch alloy wheels and several black accents that enhance its aesthetics. The redesign also changed the truck’s dimensions, extending its length by 96 mm (3.8 in) to a total of 5,350 mm (210.6 in).
The new VW Amarok from Argentina (above) has nothing to do with the second-generation model sold in overseas markets (below).
Inside, the updates mainly improve the technology. Buyers will find a new 9-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system that is fully compatible with modern connectivity features. In addition, VW has introduced a “Safer Tag” on top of the dashboard that provides audible and visual warnings to the driver based on inputs from the enhanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Other updates include two additional USB charging ports and redesigned perforated leather seats with 14-way “ErgoComfort” adjustment.
Four-cylinder and V6 engine options
The powertrain range of the previous Amarok remains, including the entry-level 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel and the flagship 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. The V6 delivers 255 hp (190 kW / 258 PS) and 580 Nm (428 lb-ft) of torque in its highest form. Power is distributed to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW’s 4Motion system.
VW made no changes to the truck’s ladder frame or suspension, but boasts that it is the only model in its segment to feature four-wheel disc brakes.
Production of the VW Amarok 2025 is already underway at the Argentine industrial center Pacheco. Since its launch, Volkswagen has manufactured over 740,000 Amarok units at this plant, 65 percent of which are exported to markets outside Argentina.
VW Argentina
