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Photo of a Volkswagen Amarok

Volkswagen Amarok

Piëch's pickup: VW's first-gen Amarok grew a 550 Nm V6.12

Researched November 1, 2026 from 29 sources

At a glance

0150300
121–298 hpPower
07.515
7.3–13.7 s0–100 km/h
0125250
161–207 km/hTop speed
0300600
300–600 N·mTorque
01,2502,500
1,737–2,359 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.34681011

Layout
Front-engine; RWD or 4MOTION (Mk1 selectable: low range)23
Gearbox
Mk1: 6-speed manual, 8-speed auto/Torsen; Mk2: 5/6-speed manual, 6/10-speed auto27
Built at
Mk1: General Pacheco, Argentina; Hannover, Germany; Mk2: South Africa37
Units built
Over 830,000 first-generation trucks6

The story

Ferdinand Piëch commissioned the original Amarok to enter the midsize pickup market, and VW engineered it from scratch. Its name invokes an Inuit wolf deity; the second generation shares Ford Ranger underpinnings.134

2008: Robust Pick-Up previews the Amarok20082010: Debut in General Pacheco20102018: 580 Nm, with 268 hp on overboost20182020: Hannover stops; South America carries on20202022: Ranger partnership, Australian development20222023: Nine airbags and 800 mm wading20232024: Argentina gives Mk1 a MY2025 facelift20242025: 10 Deserts Edition celebrates a record2025 Volkswagen Rabbit / Caddy I (14D): 1979–200614DVolkswagen Taro (Typ 7A): 1989–1997Typ 7AVolkswagen Amarok I (2H): 2010–present2H 19801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones13692223
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1979–2006Volkswagen Rabbit / Caddy I (14D)
1989–1997Volkswagen Taro (Typ 7A)
2010–presentVolkswagen Amarok I (2H)
2008Robust Pick-Up previews the Amarok
2010Debut in General Pacheco
2018580 Nm, with 268 hp on overboost
2020Hannover stops; South America carries on
2022Ranger partnership, Australian development
2023Nine airbags and 800 mm wading
2024Argentina gives Mk1 a MY2025 facelift
202510 Deserts Edition celebrates a record
  1. 2008

    Robust Pick-Up previews the Amarok

    A search-and-rescue color scheme introduces the Robust Pick-Up concept, previewing the production truck.3

  2. 2010

    Debut in General Pacheco

    The Amarok meets the public in Argentina on January 7; 45 trucks then serve as support vehicles on the Dakar Rally.3

  3. 2018

    580 Nm, with 268 hp on overboost

    The Mk1 3.0 V6 TDI climbs to 255 hp and 580 Nm; overboost briefly releases 268 hp, paired with an eight-speed auto and permanent 4MOTION.5

  4. 2020

    Hannover stops; South America carries on

    Hannover production and European sales end in May; first-generation production continues in South America.6

  5. 2022

    Ranger partnership, Australian development

    Designed in Germany and Australia and built in South Africa, generation two shares the Ford Ranger's chassis, suspension and engines.478

  6. 2023

    Nine airbags and 800 mm wading

    Mk2 gets five-star ANCAP, 30-degree approach and 26-degree departure angles, plus up to 1,160 kg payload and 3,500 kg towing.78

  7. 2024

    Argentina gives Mk1 a MY2025 facelift

    Argentina keeps its first generation in production with a MY2025 refresh: LED headlights and a 9-inch multimedia screen are fitted throughout the range.39

  8. 2025

    10 Deserts Edition celebrates a record

    Based on the Life TDI500, this 300-truck edition adds a 40 mm lift after a modified V6 crossed Australia's 10 deserts in 6 days, 17 hours and 15 minutes.10

Every generation

  • Volkswagen Rabbit / Caddy I
    14D1979–2006
  • Volkswagen Taro
    Typ 7A1989–1997
  • Volkswagen Amarok I
    2H2010–present

Power over the years

From 121 hp to 298 hp in 13 years.

0100200300 20102012201420162018202020222024 hp 2010 · 121 hp · Mk1 2.0 TDI2011 · 161 hp · Mk1 TDI400 manual (400 Nm)2012 · 138 hp · Mk1 2.0 TDI update2012 · 177 hp · Mk1 TDI420 (420 Nm)2016 · 221 hp · MY17 V6 TDI550 (550 Nm)2018 · 255 hp · Mk1 V6 TDI580 (580 Nm)2018 · 268 hp · Mk1 V6 overboost (580 Nm)2023 · 168 hp · Australia: Core TDI4052023 · 237 hp · UK Style V6 (600 Nm)2023 · 298 hp · Australia: Aventura TSI452 petrol 298 hp Australia: Aventura TSI452 petrol 121 hp Mk1 2.0 TDI
238121314
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2010121Mk1 2.0 TDI
2011161Mk1 TDI400 manual (400 Nm)
2012138Mk1 2.0 TDI update
2012177Mk1 TDI420 (420 Nm)
2016221MY17 V6 TDI550 (550 Nm)
2018255Mk1 V6 TDI580 (580 Nm)
2018268Mk1 V6 overboost (580 Nm)
2023168Australia: Core TDI405
2023237UK Style V6 (600 Nm)
2023298Australia: Aventura TSI452 petrol

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Core / Life / Style

    Standard

    Core / Life / Style

    2023

  • PanAmericana / Aventura

    Standard

    PanAmericana / Aventura

    2023

  • Comfortline / Highline / Extreme / Hero / Black Style

    Standard

    Comfortline / Highline / Extreme / Hero / Black Style

    2025

  • Performance

    Walkinshaw W580 / W580S

    2021–2022

  • Limited

    Walkinshaw W580X

    2022

    255 hp

    599 built

  • Atacama

    Limited

    Atacama

    2015

  • Limited

    Canyon

    2014

    177 hp
  • Dark Label

    Limited

    Dark Label

    2014

    178 hp

  • Limited

    10 Deserts Edition

    2025

    207 hp

  • Limited

    Aventura UK launch edition

    2017

    221 hp

  • Limited

    Walkinshaw W580SE

    2022

    99 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Second generation: a high-set grille resembles the noses of VW's SUVs.14
  • Second generation: rectangular wheel arches have sculpted lips.16
  • Second generation: C-shaped taillights flank a distinctive tailgate.14

Year by year

  1. 2011: Europe / South Africa

    Single-cab versions join the original double cab.3

  2. 2016 update / UK MY2017

    New bumper, grille, headlights, foglights and alloys; the center brake light gains LEDs, and a new dashboard and touchscreen refresh the cabin.321

  3. 2025: Argentina

    The original generation gets a new hood, grille and bumpers, LED headlights and a 9-inch screen; Highline gains grille lighting.39

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Volkswagen Amarok
    Amarok
    Photo of a Ford Ranger
    Ford Ranger

    Ford Ranger

    Different doors and tailgate mark the second-generation Amarok; the Ranger has C-shaped front running lights and bedside steps.14

Against its rivals

Prices

Value today $9.9K–$29.7K13

Price when newValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K$80K 2010201520202025 Value today: $9,900–$29,700 2011 · $47,380 · AU TDI400 Trendline; ~A$1=US$1.032011 · $60,245 · AU TDI400 Ultimate; ~A$1=US$1.032017 · $40,619 · UK Trendline VAT incl; ~£1=US$1.252017 · $46,226 · UK Highline VAT incl; ~£1=US$1.252017 · $49,226 · UK Aventura VAT incl; ~£1=US$1.252023 · $42,569 · UK base ex VAT; ~£1=US$1.252023 · $60,069 · UK V6 Aventura ex VAT; ~£1=US$1.25
121421
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2011Price when new$47,380AU TDI400 Trendline; ~A$1=US$1.03
2011Price when new$60,245AU TDI400 Ultimate; ~A$1=US$1.03
2017Price when new$40,619UK Trendline VAT incl; ~£1=US$1.25
2017Price when new$46,226UK Highline VAT incl; ~£1=US$1.25
2017Price when new$49,226UK Aventura VAT incl; ~£1=US$1.25
2023Price when new$42,569UK base ex VAT; ~£1=US$1.25
2023Price when new$60,069UK V6 Aventura ex VAT; ~£1=US$1.25
2026Value today$9,900–$29,700

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “15,798 km across Russia in 61 days”
    • “10 deserts in 6 days, 17 hours, 15 minutes”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 3 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 29 sources
  1. 2020 Volkswagen Amarok Still Impresses from Afar caranddriver.com
  2. Buying a used Volkswagen Amarok (2016-2022) - carsales.com.au carsales.com.au
  3. Volkswagen Amarok - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. 2024 Volkswagen Amarok Is a Cloned Ranger caranddriver.com
  5. Productie sterkste Amarok ooit gestart nieuws.vwbedrijfswagens.nl
  6. VW Amarok I – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  7. Pick-up in allen Bereichen verbessert: Weltpremiere des neuen Amarok von Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge | Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge Medienportal vwnf.media-corner.ch
  8. 2023 Volkswagen Amarok ute first drive review | RACV racv.com.au
  9. Llegó la nueva Amarok: en qué se diferencia cada versión de la pick up | TN tn.com.ar
  10. Volkswagen Amarok 10 Deserts Limited Edition MY25 review | RACQ racq.com.au
  11. 2022 Volkswagen Amarok W580X review 4x4australia.com.au
  12. Buying a used Volkswagen Amarok (2011-2016) - carsales.com.au carsales.com.au
  13. Buying used: VW Amarok (2011-2022) - Probably the most underrated dual-cab on the market - Unsealed 4X4 unsealed4x4.com.au
  14. Ford Ranger vs Toyota Hilux vs Volkswagen Amarok: 2023 group test review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  15. Used Volkswagen Amarok review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  16. VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK, THE SUCCESSOR OF AN ICON - Auto&Design autodesignmagazine.com
  17. Volkswagen Amarok: Final first-gen Walkinshaw special hits the road | CarExpert carexpert.com.au
  18. Volkswagen Amarok Atacama turns up the heat | Business Motoring businessmotoring.co.uk
  19. Special-edition Volkswagen Amarok - Installer Online installeronline.co.uk
  20. Volkswagen Amarok gets Dark Label | News | by Car Enthusiast carenthusiast.com
  21. 2017 Volkswagen Amarok on sale in UK | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  22. Caddy I (1982–1992) | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  23. Volkswagen Taro - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  24. 2010 Volkswagen Amarok - First Drive - Motor Trend motortrend.com
  25. Volkswagen Amarok review - prices, specs and 0-60 time | | evo evo.co.uk
  26. Volkswagen Bedrijfswagens officieel leverancier Dakar Rally 2012 nieuws.vwbedrijfswagens.nl
  27. Mazzacane, el primer campeón | ACTC - Asociación de Corredores de Turismo Carretera actc.org.ar
  28. VW Amarok TDI Moscow-Kamchatka - challenge4 rainerzietlow.com
  29. Volkswagen Amarok Power concept | evo evo.co.uk
  • caranddriver.com
  • carsales.com.au
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • nieuws.vwbedrijfswagens.nl
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • vwnf.media-corner.ch
  • racv.com.au
  • tn.com.ar
  • racq.com.au
  • 4x4australia.com.au
  • unsealed4x4.com.au
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • autodesignmagazine.com
  • carexpert.com.au

Photo credits

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