First Volkswagen Amarok W580s roll out

THE first examples of the Walkinshaw-fettled Volkswagen Amarok W580 have rolled off the production line in Clayton, Victoria with not one but two different versions set to be offered.

Priced from $71,990 plus on-road costs in W580 guise or $79,990 for the more lavishly equipped W580 S, the new flagship Amarok twins buck the rugged, enhanced capability trend set by other top-spec pick-ups, i.e. the Ford Ranger Raptor, and instead focus on delivering better on-road manners.

Specifically, Volkswagen and Walkinshaw describe the W580 as a “GT-spec ute” thanks to its retuned suspension, road-oriented 20-inch wheels and enhanced styling.

Other modifications include a custom exhaust system with side-exit pipes, redesigned front grille and bumper design, body-coloured sportsbars, unique body and bonnet decals, wheelarch extensions and a W580 branded interior complete with individual build plate.

Despite its well-advertised road-going credentials, Walkinshaw has increased the ride height by 40mm at the front axle not in the name of ground clearance, but rather aesthetics with the higher front end resulting in a more balanced silhouette.

No changes have been made under the bonnet or to the transmission, meaning all examples continue on with the same 190kW/580Nm peak outputs shared by the rest of the Amarok TDI580 range.

When all is said and done, the W580 and W580 S carry price premiums of $10,000 and $19,000 respectively over the standard Amarok TDI580 Highline on which they are based.

Being a factory-approved program, all W580s are covered by Volkswagen’s existing five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Walkinshaw Automotive Group managing director Joel Stoddart said the W-Series Amaroks had been designed to offer driving characteristics not expected of a pick-up.

“The W-Series Amarok has been designed to offer driving dynamics and cornering ability rarely experienced in a dual-cab ute,” he said.

“Throughout our track and open-road testing, the Amarok V6 proved itself time and again as a tough and potent base car; while the modifications we've made to our version of the car have only enhanced it.

“With such a strong chassis and that class-leading power under the bonnet, we were spoilt for choice in which direction we could take the car.”

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles director Ryan Davies added Volkswagen had a long history in Australia, specifically in Clayton, with previous production operations winding down more than 40 years ago.

“It’s fantastic that not only are we back in the business of building cars in Australia, but in doing so with Walkinshaw, we return to our ancestral home of Clayton, just moments away from the site of the original Volkswagen plant,” he said.

Volkswagen Group Australia has sold 1236 Amarok 4x4s so far this year ending February, accounting for 4.5 per cent of the 4x4 pick-up segment and marking a 13.8 per cent sales improvement on the same period last year (1086).

2021 Volkswagen Amarok 4x4 pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs