The new Volkswagen Amarok will be launched in South Africa in March 2023. Here’s how much you can expect to pay for the locally built double-cab bakkie.

It’s no secret that this brand-new Volkswagen Amarok is the result of a partnership with Ford. The Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa will be building the new Volkswagen Amarok at its facility in Silverton, Pretoria, where the new-generation German bakkie will share the production line with its Ranger cousin.

We’ve already had a taste of the new Ford Ranger and the potent 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6-powered Raptor, both of which have gone on sale in South Africa. Now it’s time for the Volkswagen Amarok, which will be hitting showrooms in March 2023. The first units will head to local dealerships from Monday 27 February 2023 for inspections/interactions, with sales/deliveries commencing on 18 March 2023.

What’s on offer?

Volkswagen South Afruica (VWSA) will be offering the new Volkswagen Amarok in both single- and double-cab body styles. There will be 6 trim levels: Amarok single cab, Amarok double cab, Life double cab, Style double cab, PanAmericana double cab and Aventura double cab.

As far as dimensions are concerned, the new Volkswagen Amarok double cab is 5.35 metres long, 1.91 metres wide, and features a wheelbase of 3.27 metres. The single cab has the same dimensions, but its load tray is 2.32 meters long, so as to accommodate a full-size Euro pallet.

Customers will be able to choose between wheel sizes ranging from 16-inch to 21-inch, but be mindful that these are derivative dependent.

Amarok

16-inch steel wheels / 17-inch Combra alloy wheelsTrailer hitchRear differential lockFull-size spare wheelLED headlights / halogen taillightsDriver/passenger/side/curtain airbagsBluetooth connectivity with App Connect10-inch colour touchscreenMultifunction steering wheel

The Double cab gets the following content:

All-terrain tyresSide stepsDriver knee airbagReverse-view camera with rear park distance controlCruise control

Life

17-inch Combra alloy wheels / 18-inch Amadora alloy wheelsHeated seatsPower tailgate lockFront park distance controlLeather multi-function steering wheelHeight adjustment for the front passenger’s seatLumbar support adjustment in the front seatsRubber floor matsCruise control with speed limiterElectronic parking brakePrivacy windows

Style

18-inch Amadora alloy wheels / 20-inch Bendigo alloy wheelsLoad bed linerTonneau coverCargo management systemSide stepsChrome tubular styling barHigh-beam light assistMulti-collision brake systemAutonomous emergency brakingLane assistTyre pressure monitorUSB port integrated into the rearview mirror230V power socket inverterMobile inductive chargingHeated side mirrorsDual-zone automatic air conditioningSavona leather seats with heatingAmbient lighting12-inch diagonal colour touch-screen infotainment12-inch active info digital displayKeyless entry and push button start

PanAmericana

Black 18-inch Amadora alloy wheels / 20-inch Bendigo alloy wheelsElectric roller coverIQ Light LED headlights / LED tail lightsSide stepsImproved suspensionStyling barRoof railsUnderbody protectionRear cross-traffic alertPark AssistFront Assist (Autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera system, evasive steering, blind-spot monitoring)Harmon Kardon sound systemDiscover media Cricket leather seats

Aventura

PanAmericana spec, plus the following:

Chrome mirrors, door handles and side steps21-inch Varberg alloy wheelsBody colour sports barElectric roller cover

Amarok Trim Levels and Features

Impressively, VWSA won’t offer the derivatives with optional extras, other than the colour choices: Clear White, Midnight Black, Bright, Blue, Light Grey, Dark Grey, Deep Red, Bright Beige and Mid Blue.

MORE: Ford Ranger vs Volkswagen Amarok – Here are the differences

Engines and powertrain

There will be a quartet of engines, all of which are turbodiesel. Customers will be able to choose from manual and automatic gearboxes. Higher-powered derivatives get a 10-speed automatic transmission.

How much will the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok cost in South Africa?

The new Volkswagen Amarok will be sold with a 4-year/120 000 km warranty, 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan with intervals every 15 000 km. Single Cab pricing will be confirmed in March 2023.

Double Cab

MORE: Read our Volkswagen Amarok international launch review