Grille test: Volkswagen Amarok V6 4M

This, of course, means eight-cylinder. Fuel prices there are different than in Europe, and the concept of "suitable car" is appropriate. In turn, we are forced to be more modest, and even with a six-cylinder engine will do. In any case, they are few in the pickup trucks we find this side of the Atlantic. Most of them are more or less volumetric four-cylinders, of course usually turbodiesel. Combinations with an automatic transmission are not that many. Well, at Volkswagen, when they put the fresh Amarok on the road, they made a bold, but from the point of view of automotive fans, a good decision: the Amarok now has a six-cylinder engine under the hood. Yes, the first V6, otherwise a turbodiesel, but that's okay. Combined with an automatic transmission, the Amarok becomes not only a car that easily carries heavy loads (not only a body, but also a trailer), but also a car that can cause some joy, especially when it slides under the wheels. A little.

Then all-wheel drive and lightness over the rear axle, if the Amarok's body is unloaded, can provide (if the driver is determined enough) a bit of rear-end liveliness, while on bad gravel the driver doesn't have to worry about the chassis being able to absorb bumps. Such an Amarok not only springs well and thrives on poor gravel, it is also quite quiet - a lot of bumps from under the wheels can cause noise in many cars, both directly from the chassis and due to the rattling of internal parts.

While the Amarok is a very decent SUV, it also performs well on asphalt thanks to its powerful engine and reasonably good aerodynamics on the highway. Directional stability is also satisfactory, but of course it is clear that the steering wheel is quite indirect due to the more off-road tire sizes and settings in general, with sparse feedback. But this is perfectly normal for this type of vehicle and we can safely say that the Amarok is also one of the best semi-trailers when it comes to steering.

The feel in the cabin is very good, also thanks to the excellent leather seats. The driver feels much the same as in most personal Volkswagen, except that not all modern technologies such as the Passat are available. Volkswagen hasn't skimped on safety, but in terms of comfort and infotainment, the Amarok is more suited to commercial vehicles than personal vehicles. Therefore, for example, the infotainment system is not the last and most powerful variety, but on the other hand, it is far ahead of what very decent passenger cars offered a few years ago. Sitting in the back is a little less comfortable, mainly due to the more upright rear seat backs, but still: nothing worse than one would expect given the shape of the cabin.

The Amarok thus proves to be an almost perfect cross between a car and a work machine - of course, for those who know that certain compromises must be made with such cars and are ready for this.

text: Dušan Lukič · photo: Саша Капетанович

Amarok V6 4M (2017)

Basic data

Base model price:	50.983 €
Test model cost:	51.906 €

Costs (per year)

Technical information

engine:	V6 – 4-stroke – in-line – turbodiesel – displacement 2.967 3 cm165 – maximum power 225 kW (3.000 hp) at 4.500 550–1.400 rpm – maximum torque 2.750 Nm at XNUMX–XNUMX rpm min.
Energy transfer:	the engine drives all four wheels - 8-speed automatic transmission - tires 255/50 R 20 H (Bridgestone Blizzak LM-80).
Capacity:	top speed 191 km/h - 0-100 km/h acceleration 7,9 s - average combined fuel consumption (ECE) 7,5 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 204 g/km.
Mass:	empty vehicle 2.078 kg - permissible gross weight 2.920 kg.
External dimensions:	length 5.254 mm - width 1.954 mm - height 1.834 mm - wheelbase 3.097 mm - np trunk - np fuel tank

Our measurements

Measurement conditions: T = 7 ° C / p = 1.017 mbar / rel. vl. = 43% / odometer status: 14.774 km
Acceleration 0-100km:	8,9s
402m from the city:	16,3 years ( 136 km / h)
test consumption:	8,8 l / 100km
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	42,1m
AM table:	40m
Noise at 90 km / h in 6rd gear	60dB

evaluation

• The Amarok will never be a city car (not because of its size) and certainly lacks a real trunk to a real family - but for those who need an everyday useful and workable pickup, this is a great solution.

We praise and reproach

chassis

engine and transmission

sitting in front

dynamics on gravel roads