New VW Amarok takes a surprising turn with Chinese underpinnings
The latest Amarok is shaping up to be a very different beast, with South America getting its own version of the popular bakkie from 2027.
Three days after revealing the Tukan half-tonne bakkie in Brazil, Volkswagen has teased a new Amarok for the South American market.
Dubbed the ‘Nova’ Amarok, the new bakkie will break from the current Ford Ranger-based model by adopting a Chinese-developed SAIC Motor platform and will be built at VW’s production plant in Argentina.
South America’s new Amarok will be underpinned by SAIC Motor’s Starbridge Architecture, which also forms the basis of the LDV Terron 9 and MG U9. As such, the Volkswagen is expected to share key mechanical hardware with these models.
The bakkie is likely to use a 2.5l four-cylinder turbodiesel producing 163kW and 520N.m of torque. Power is expected to be sent to all four wheels through a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission, while front and rear differential locks could also feature.
- Also read: VW Amarok-based SUV back on the cards?
It is important to note that the Amarok currently sold in markets such as Argentina is a heavily updated version of the original first-generation model introduced in 2010. It is therefore fundamentally different from the second-generation Amarok sold in South Africa and Australia, which shares its underpinnings with the Ford Ranger.
The SAIC Motor co-developed Amarok also raises the possibility of an SUV derivative. The Everest is not included in the partnership between Volkswagen and Ford, which covers the development of the aforementioned bakkies, as well as the Caddy and Tourneo Connect, and Transit/Tourneo Custom and Transporter.
If an SUV derivative does not materialise from the new Amarok, an Amarok-based SUV may only be given the green light when the nameplate enters its third generation.
Whether the SAIC Motor platform-based Amarok will make its way to South Africa remains unconfirmed. However, its arrival on local shores appears unlikely.
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The post Next-gen VW Amarok (for South America) to be based on a Chinese bakkie appeared first on CAR Magazine.
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