By Otsile Kadiege

This week Volkswagen’s hotly-anticipated Amarok bakkie will be launched in South Africa on the 7^th of July 2022. The current Volkswagen Amarok was launched in South Africa back in November 2010 and since then it has sold 41 422 units in the local market.

The new Volkswagen Amarok was designed in Germany and Australia and will be built in South Africa. It measures 5 350mm in length (96mm longer than the predecessor) and has a wheelbase of 3 270mm (173mm longer than the predecessor) which equates to more space than the outgoing generation. Depending on the model and specification, large loads of up to 1.2 tonnes can be accommodated. The new Amarok has a maximum towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes. The Amarok also has a new range of wheel options and for the first time ever, the bakkie will, depending on the derivative, also be sold with ex-factory all-terrain tyres.

Inside, Wolfsburg’s newcomer is said to feature intuitive controls, digital cockpit, and a tablet-style infotainment display. It also features new digital cockpit and a vertically-aligned display unit with a 10 or 12-inch screen. The new Amarok model range also comes with over 30 driver assist systems; 20 of which will be found in the new Amarok range for the first time. According to Volkswagen, the local product line-up will incorporate a vast majority of these autonomous driving technologies.

The new Volkswagen Amarok will retail in South Africa from the first quarter of 2023.