By Even the biggest car companies in the world like VW have to join their forces with other manufacturers in order to offer a competitive production. In the case of this manufacturer, pickup trucks are particularly challenging to develop. The development of the original Amarok took almost a decade of development, so the company decided to work with Ford this time. However, that doesn’t mean that the 2023 VW Amarok won’t have its own identity. The new model is on the way and it should hit the market by the end of next year.
At this point, we know for sure that the mechanics will be shared with the next-generation Ranger. On the other hand, the new Amarok will feature completely unique exterior and interior design, based on VW’s latest design languages. The engine lineup is still a mystery. While some believe that the VW will use Ford’s engines, others believe the German manufacturer could offer some of its powertrains as well.
2023 VW Amarok Redesign
As you can see, the 2023 VW Amarok will be significantly different compared to the first-generation model. We are about to see a completely new design, which will be based on the Ford Ranger this time. This particularly refers to the platform, which will be borrowed from the Ranger T7. That’s essentially the same platform as the one that underpins the current-generation Ranger T6, but we expect to see notable upgrades regarding chassis and suspension setup.
In any case, the new Amarok will benefit from upgrades like locking differentials, two-speed transfer cases and a more rugged suspension, something that can’t be found in the current generation of VW’s pickup truck.
Exterior
While the mechanics are about to be shared with Ford’s mid-size pickup, the exterior design will be completely unique. The 2023 VW Amarok won’t be just a rebadged Ranger, but a pickup that features its own styling. We can already find rendering photos on the network and they all show a pretty attractive, rugged look. That’s something Amarok definitely needs, considering that the current model looks incredibly boring and shows no character, which is one of the main reasons why it can’t keep up with competitors.
Another thing that comes to mind is the size. We know for sure that the next-generation Ranger won’t feature bigger differences regarding the size. Also, we expect that the new Amarok will adopt the same wheelbase and similar dimensions, which means it will be notably bigger compared to the outgoing model. For reference, the current-generation Ranger measures around 127 inches in wheelbase, while the current Amarok is more than 5 inches shorter.
Interior
Of course, the cabin will be all-new as well. The current model looks okay from the inside. It offers a typical VW layout, quite conservative. Still, that’s a common thing among mid-size pickups, so we don’t expect to see significant changes in the new model. We presume that the German manufacturer will try to make the new dashboard look more car-like, but the overall design shouldn’t bring bigger surprises.
Considering the longer wheelbase and bigger overall dimensions, we presume that the new 2023 VW Amarok will offer more space for the passengers. Just like the current model, the new one should also come in both single and double cab layouts.
2023 VW Amarok Engines
Considering that the platform would be shared with Ford Ranger, it makes perfect sense to see Ford’s engines under the hood. If that happens, we presume that the base models would feature a 2.0-liter turbodiesel, which puts out around 210 horsepower. Higher trim levels would probably feature Ford’s familiar 3.0-liter V6 Power Stroke turbodiesel, which currently puts out around 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. Both engines would come in pair with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Some sources also speculate about the chances to see VW’s engines under the hood, such as the current 3.0-liter TDI, which puts out 268 horsepower but has less torque than Ford’s unit. We don’t believe ins such a scenario. Also, we don’t expect to see Amarok with a gasoline engine, which will be the case with the new Ranger in certain markets.
2023 VW Amarok Release Date and Competition
We expect that the 2023 VW Amarok will hit the market sometime in the second half of the next year. Of course, the competition will remain the same, in the form of well-established names like Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi L200, Isuzu D-Max etc.
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