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The Volkswagen Amarok range has been reshuffled, with a new Walkinshaw-tuned hero but fewer powertrain options.

Marketplace Journalist


Marketplace Journalist
The Volkswagen Amarok range is being joined in September by a new Walkinshaw-tuned W600, which tops a recently reshuffled lineup.
Announced in March, the rejigged Amarok lineup – referred to by Volkswagen as the model year 2026 (MY26) range – no longer offers a bi-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, following Ford's decision to axe the engine for the Ranger ute on which the Amarok is based.
That leaves the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 – badged as the TDI600 – as the only diesel engine available. It sits alongside the lone petrol engine, a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder mill that powers the TSI452 Style.
This powertrain was previously exclusive to the Amarok's high-spec Aventura trim, but now sits at the bottom of the range.
As for variants, the base Core and Life trims were axed as part of the model year update, with Style now the cheapest available model. That brings the starting price of the Amarok range up by $18,250 to $73,740 before on-road costs.

New is the special edition Dark Label, of which just 200 units were confirmed for our market. Powered exclusively by the turbo-diesel V6, it brings blacked-out cosmetic changes to the Style on which it's based.
At the top of the range is the W600, the second Amarok to have been tuned by Australian automotive firm Walkinshaw. Like the W580 that came before it, it brings various ride and handling changes to target a sportier on-road setup, rather than prioritising off-road prowess.
At its heart are new Koni 'Frequency Selective Dampers' with bespoke valve tuning, while a rear sway bar has been added to complement the leaf-sprung rear axle.
It also features new 20x10-inch alloy wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres, giving the Amarok a wider track, along with retuned steering.
There have also been cosmetic tweaks to match, namely a new front bumper with a new grille, the latter incorporating a light bar for a unique front lighting signature.
Rounding it out are new power-retractable side steps and twin side-exit exhaust tips behind the right-hand rear wheel. Like the Dark Label, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Australia expects 200 W600 units to be produced as part of the 2026 model year.
The lineup changes bring the Amarok's individual variant count down from 10 to seven, covered by five trim levels. The cab/chassis body style is still available, but only in one variant with a V6 engine.

| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2027 Volkswagen Amarok TSI452 Style dual-cab pickup | $73,740 (NEW) |
| 2027 Volkswagen Amarok TDI600 Style dual-cab pickup | $73,740 |
| 2027 Volkswagen Amarok TDI600 Style Tray dual-cab/chassis | $77,740 |
| 2027 Volkswagen Amarok TDI600 Dark Label dual-cab pickup | $77,990 (NEW) |
| 2027 Volkswagen Amarok TDI600 PanAmericana dual-cab pickup | $78,990 |
| 2027 Volkswagen Amarok TDI600 Aventura dual-cab pickup | $82,990 |
| 2027 Volkswagen Amarok TDI600 W600 dual-cab pickup | $91,990 (NEW) |
Two powertrains are available in the Amarok lineup.


| Specifications | Amarok TSI452 | Amarok TDI600 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.3-litre turbo-petrol 4cyl | 3.0L turbo-diesel V6 |
| Power | 222kW | 184kW |
| Torque | 452Nm | 600Nm |
| Transmission | 10-speed auto | 10-speed auto |
| Drive type | Full-time four-wheel drive with low-range | Full-time four-wheel drive with low-range |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 9.7L/100km | 8.4L/100km |
| CO2 emissions (claimed) | 222g/km | 222g/km |
| Fuel tank | 82L | 80L |
| Tare mass | 2261kg | 2370kg – Style, Dark Label 2365kg – PanAmericana 2381kg – Aventura 2396kg – W600 |
| Payload | 969kg | 980kg – Style, Dark Label 985kg – PanAmericana 809kg – Aventura 954kg – W600 |
| Braked towing capacity | 3500kg | 3500kg |
| Gross vehicle mass (GVM) | 3230kg | 3350kg – excl. Aventura 3190kg – Aventura |
| Gross combination mass (GCM) | 6200kg | 6400kg – excl. Aventura 6300kg – Aventura |


| Dimensions | Volkswagen Amarok dual-cab pickup |
|---|---|
| Length | 5350mm |
| Width | 1910mm 1985mm – W600 |
| Height | 1886mm |
| Wheelbase | 3270mm |
| Tub length (at floor) | 1544mm |
| Tub width (at floor) | 1224mm |
| Tub depth | 529mm |
| Track front and rear | 1620mm 1660mm – W600 |
| Ground clearance | 235mm 237mm – W600 |
| Approach angle | 30.0º |
| Departure angle | 25.6º |
| Ramp breakover angle | 22.0º |
| Wading depth | 800mm |
Volkswagen Australia backs its range with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Servicing for the Amarok is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

| Servicing and Warranty | Volkswagen Amarok |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | 12 months |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Average annual service cost | $772.80 |
| Total capped-price service cost | $3864 |
Volkswagen's individual service costs are detailed below:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| 12 months, 15,000km | $665 |
| 24 months, 30,000km | $687 |
| 36 months, 45,000km | $858 |
| 48 months, 60,000km | $989 |
| 60 months, 75,000km | $665 |
Additionally, Volkswagen currently offers a five-year service plan for the Amarok that costs $3200.
The Volkswagen Amarok has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP in 2022. Volkswagen Australia has confirmed this also applies to the W600.

| Category | Volkswagen Amarok |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 86 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 93 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 74 per cent |
| Safety assist | 83 per cent |
Standard safety equipment highlights:
There are now five trim levels in the Australian Amarok lineup.




2027 Volkswagen Amarok Style equipment highlights:
Amarok Dark Label adds:




Amarok PanAmericana adds (over Style):
The PanAmericana removes the tub's 12V power socket.
Amarok Aventura adds:




Amarok W600 adds:
The W600 removes the heated steering wheel.
There are just a handful of options available across the Amarok range, along with a vast assortment of general ute accessories. It's worth visiting a dealer for information on those accessories.

2027 Volkswagen Amarok options:
Eight colours are available on the Volkswagen Amarok, with Clear White the only no-cost option.








2027 Volkswagen Amarok colours:
The W600 isn't available in Bright Beige, Bright Blue, or Reed Green. Volkswagen Australia has designated one 'wildcard' colour for the W600, which will change for each model year. It's currently Deep Red.
Research cars in our Showroom, compare your options or let our New Car Specialists do the running around to find you a great deal.
Max Davies is a CarExpert journalist with a background in regional media, with a passion for Japanese brands and motorsport.


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