Think of it as a Ford Ranger Raptor, for the road…

Volkswagen’s Amarok V6 double-cab has a terrifically loyal following.

As the only V6 turbodiesel double-cab bakkie you can buy, it offers an unrivalled blend of comfort, utility and performance. It's no surprise that most of VW’s Amarok bakkie sales, are delivered to customers with the 3.0-litre V6 engine option and it has scooped the Leisure Double-Cab category title of the #CarsAwards powered by WesBank on numerous occasions.

Unfortunately, the Amarok V6 is being retired in the not too distant future, scheduled for replacement by a new joint-venture Ford/VW bakkie platform in 2022. But that doesn’t mean Volkswagenis ignoring the time-honoured tradition of producing some limited-edition variants, as production starts to taper.

The latest example of this, is the Amarok W580. It's a project initiated by VW Australia to build the best road-going Amarok possible.

Imagining the Amarok as a high-performance tarmac bakkie might sound odd, but that was the brief by product planners to engineers and technicians atWalkinshaw racing.

The result is a bakkie that looks a lot more purposeful and promises to reward with superior on-road driving dynamics. Most noticeable is the unique grille treatment and Black exterior styling details. This W580 Amarok has black bodywork decals and fender extensions, whilst those 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, are black too.

Around the rear section of this high-performance Amarok you’ll find an aerodynamic sports bar behind the car, which has no structural rollover protection properties or fastening points. The W580 also features a dual-tip exhaust system.

For those dedicated followers of all things Amarok, the stance of the W580 double-cab will be noticeable. And that is because front-end ride height has increased by 40mm, achieved courtesy of a mild lift kit and 275/50 Pirelli Scorpion tyres. The suspension configuration has also been adapted, ostensibly improving steering feel.

The W580’s powertrain remains untouched, which means 200kW and 580Nm is on tap, driving via ZF’s eight-speed automatic transmission.

Tell us what you think of this W580 Amarok, do you like it?

Buy a Volkswagen Amarok on Cars.co.za

Related Content

190 kW Volkswagen Amarok Price in SA

5 Most Powerful Double-Cab Bakkies in SA

Bakkies Coming To SA in 2021