2021 Volkswagen Amarok Review: W580

Aussies love the option with good performance. We love the rock too. You probably see what I'm getting at.

We love both of these things so much that we are one of the highest per capita consumers of high performance options in the world and we often vie for the top spot in our highly competitive market.

After the demise of local production and consequently the death of the Australian based car, road models gave way to off-road oriented halo variants, most famously the Ford Ranger Raptor.

But thanks to a collaboration with local tuning agency Walkinshaw, this new variant of the VW Amarok, the W580, looks set to make a difference by focusing on tarmac rather than the rough stuff.

How is it different from its competitors and who is it best suited for? We went to the W580 presentation to find out.

Volkswagen Amarok 2021: TDI580 W580 4Motion
Safety Rating
engine's type	3.0 L turbo
fuel type	Diesel
Fuel efficiency	9.5l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$60,400

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10

It seems obvious, at least at first glance, that the W580 is after its popular off-road-focused rivals, with whom it directly competes on price.

Divided into two options, the entry-level W580 (think Highline spec) for $71,990 and the W580S (think Ultimate spec plus some) for $79,990, Walkinshaw Amaroks wants your money to be something like a Ford Ranger Raptor ($77,690), Mazda BT. -50 Thunder ($68,99064,490) and Toyota HiLux Rugged X ($XNUMXXNUMX).

However, at first glance at the inclusions, it's clear that the W580 is a slightly different beast. You won't see any off-road accessories here, and the main feature is suspension retuning and rebalancing, a wider tire and wheel combo with matching widened guards, a completely redesigned front fascia, complete with Walkinshaw. signature LED fog lights and plenty of aesthetic touches to remind you that this particular Amarok was the work of a local tuner.

There's a blacked-out running board. (pictured W580S variant)

This, of course, adds to the standard things you'd expect from the Highline, such as bi-xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control, shift paddles for the transmission, and a 6.33-inch multimedia screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The top-of-the-line W580S gets it all, plus Walkinshaw-branded Vienna leather seats, lower body styling cues, extended decals, power-adjustable heated front seats, power-folding mirrors, built-in sat-nav, and a tuned dual tailpipe. with a side tube in the back (cool), as well as a sail bar above the tub that gets a five-piece liner (useful).

However, Amarok is starting to show its age. The media screen feels tiny, overshadowed by the Amarok's expansive dashboard, and the analog elements feel forgotten compared to the rest of VW's heavily digitized lineup. The lack of an ignition system, full keyless entry, and LED headlights are especially annoying at this price point.

The W580 wears 20-inch alloy wheels. (pictured W580S variant)

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10

To appreciate the W580, you have to see it in metal. The photos don't quite capture the menacing look of this truck, aided by Walkinshaw's enhancements.

To accommodate its massive wheel and tire combination, which is one inch wider than the standard fare, the W580 has a 23mm offset change with these matching guards. The more I looked at the mid-size 20" alloy wheels (clad in Pirelli Scorpion A/T tires), the more I thought they fit him, and as a bonus, they are no heavier than the wheels that come standard with the Ultimate since they are forged alloys.

You really have to splash out for the 580S. (pictured W580S variant)

However, if you want to get the full picture (and we know buyers in the high-end car market want that), you really need to splash out the 580S, which matches an average front end overhaul with the same average rear travel. The sail bar and twin tailpipes on the sides really complete the look and make the package stand out from the Amarok crowd.

All this serves to make an already attractive package even better, at least when it comes to its appearance.

On the inside, it just doesn't seem all that special. Sure, you get plenty of Walkinshaw logos embroidered on the seats and carpets, and a numbered drivetrain panel badge, but no effort has been made to make it a bit more personal. I guess you want an R-Line steering wheel, different dash inserts, and some bespoke seats. Or at least a splash of color to spice up the Amarok's grey-black interior.

The interior is starting to show its age. (pictured W580S variant)

How practical is the interior space? 8/10

The Amarok has always been practical and offers some key advantages over some of its more popular competitors.

The interior is largely unchanged for this version, with more space and adjustment for front passengers, a large center console with two bottle holders, a large console box on the armrest and a huge tray under the climate control unit. There are also large bottle holders and recesses in the door cards, as well as a dashboard cutout with its own 12V outlet for device storage.

Looking at the tiny screen from the driver's seat isn't as much fun, but at least it has handy shortcut buttons and dials for adjusting things without having to look while driving. The same can be said for its dual-zone climate console.

The 580S adds a sail bar and dual side exhaust. (pictured W580S variant)

The width of the Amarok is useful for rear passengers as well. While legroom can be a bit cramped, the width is impressive and the seat trim is especially good when compared to double cab rivals.

The biggest advantage of the Amarok in terms of practicality is its tray. At 1555mm (L), 1620mm (W) and 508mm (H), it's already one of the best in its segment, but the trick is that it fits a standard Australian sump between its wheel arches, giving it a width of 1222mm. This remains true even for the five-piece 580S. For those wondering, the W-series Amarok has a payload of 905kg for the W580 and 848kg for the W580S.

Crucially, neither Volkswagen nor Walkinshaw wanted to mess with the Amarok's towing capacity, which remains at 750kg unbraked or a competitive 3500kg with brakes.

The seating is especially good. (pictured W580S variant)

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 9/10

It might disappoint you to know that Walkinshaw didn't actually tune the already monstrous 580L V3.0 Amarok "6" turbodiesel for these special editions, but the argument is that they really didn't have to, and that's would add unnecessary complexity. project.

After all, the 580 V6 engine is still one of the leaders in the passenger car segment when it comes to direct power (190 kW/580 Nm, boosted to 200 kW when needed). This will allow you to accelerate to 0 km / h in just 100 seconds, while maintaining a competitive payload and the already mentioned towing performance.

The 580S variant adds a dual side exhaust system that is said to add 16 dB of loudness to the sound of the V6 exhaust, but to be honest it was hard to tell from behind the wheel. At least it looks neat.

The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel delivers 190 kW/580 Nm. (pictured W580S variant)

Будьте в курсе carsweekly guide newsletter

How much fuel does it consume? 8/10

The Amarok 580 V6 variants have an official/combined fuel consumption figure of 9.5 l/100 km. Our alpine test drive, during which we covered over 250 km in deliberately difficult conditions, would hardly be a fair indication of what it would be like to drive one of these trucks every day, but most of them used up about 11 l / 100 km , which is still below the official city figure. 11.4 l/100 km.

That's pretty good considering the power and capability of this engine, especially since you can expect similar consumption figures from its less powerful four-cylinder turbodiesel rivals.

Variants of the Amarok V6 have 80-litre fuel tanks, theoretically giving a range of around 1000 km.

What is it like to drive? 9/10

You can turn your nose up at the lack of a power boost for this modified Walkinshaw all you want, but I can tell you the Amarok didn't need it. Instead, the tuning machine gave the already fast bike the handling it deserved.

This creates a completely surreal driving experience as the giant ladder-chassis flies around corners on or off asphalt with ease. You'll immediately feel the Walkinshaw solidify things as the W580 wobbles a little in a straight line and bumps feel more immediate, but the tune has nailed the rebound so bumps don't ruin handling. the balance of this huge ute.

The 3.0-liter V6 is a real monster. (pictured W580S variant)

Where it really shines is when you load it into the corners. It's an ute that just absorbs curves like they're nothing. You feel gravity take over, but even with the bumps in the road trying to free you, the big grippy tires and twin-tube shocks barely screech.

Of course, the 3.0-liter V6 is a monster, using plenty of torque to deliver a relatively responsive and smooth sprint when the accelerator pedal is depressed. It pairs beautifully with an eight-speed torque converter that delivers predictable and linear shifts. The whole package also has an unparalleled sophistication that you won't find in any other double cab.

Steering feels heavy at low speeds. (pictured W580S variant)

Disadvantages? While this Walkinshaw tune doesn't seem to have ruined the Amarok's off-road ability, it's worth noting how heavy the steering feels at low speeds with the extra tire width. I also would have liked it if the exhaust sounded wilder, and yet it's not a performance SUV when it comes to comfort and sophistication (although that's about as close as you can get in ute).

It's not a Raptor either. While I doubt the Raptor will provide as much organic feedback as this Amarok in corners, it does a better job of giving the impression of indestructibility from behind the wheel.

Amarok W580 is not a Ranger Raptor. (pictured W580S variant)

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 6/10

Security has been an awkward topic for Amarok for a while. This is largely due to the age of this truck. For more than 10 years without a really major overhaul, active safety elements are clearly lacking. There is no automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert or adaptive cruise control.

Disturbing for many buyers is the lack of airbags for the rear row. The V6-powered versions of the Amarok are not subject to the ANCAP safety rating, although their 2.0-liter counterparts have a very outdated ten-year-old five-star rating.

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10

One benefit of this officially sanctioned Walkinshaw package is that it's still covered by Volkswagen's five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty. This is on par with most of its ute competitors.

VW also offers limited-price service, but the cheapest way to own an Amarok is with prepaid service packages.

They can be selected in three-year or five-year form, adding $1600 or $2600 to the purchase price, respectively.

A five-year plan will save nearly $1000 over the recommended cost for services over the same period. It's worth it and it can also be included in your finances.

Verdict

The Amarok W580 isn't a true competitor to the Raptor, but it shouldn't be either.

Instead, this revised Walkinshaw edition builds on the best of the Amarok as the car that most resembles a passenger car in its cohort. For many buyers in the cities, it will be an ideal alternative to conventional off-road-focused competitors.

Our criticism is mainly about things related to the age of the Amarok. To be able to own a monstrous V6 version of a car that's over a decade old and do it well is quite a feat.

Note. CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, providing transportation and food.