Volkswagen Amarok named Pick-Up of the Year

Published on 7 February, 2024

The Volkswagen Amarok joins previous Volkswagen Van of the year winners, including the Crafter, Transporter, and ID. Buzz Cargo. 

Overview

Since it first launched in 2011, the Volkswagen Amarok has won International Pick-up of the Year award three times in just 14 years. Now in its third generation, the latest model picks up on the success where its predecessors left off. 

Praising highlights such as its design excellence, engineering, safety, and overall performance, a jury of 24 members of leading commercial vehicle publications across Europe gave the latest Amarok top marks.

Accepting the most prestigious honour in the European Light Commercial Vehicle industry, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Ireland Brand Director Paul Hunt, said it was recognition of the exceptional quality and innovation embodied by the Amarok. "We are incredibly proud to receive this distinguished honour from the International Van of the Year jurors. To achieve the ‘treble’ in just 14 years of production is testament to the outstanding capabilities of the Amarok. It’s a vehicle that delivers on and off the road, exceeding customer expectations in the process.”

Jarlath Sweeney, President and Chairman of the IVotY and IPUA jury, presented Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles with the trophy, adding:“Following the IPUA 2023 Group Tests, held in Greece at the end of last year, the new Amarok impressed. Although a collaboration project, the VWCV Design Team has managed to maintain the company’s unique styling and driving traits, which customers will testify.”

The Amarok is priced from €48,930 and available from Volkswagen commercial dealerships in Ireland in a five-model series: Amarok, Life and Style, plus the range-topping versions PanAmericana (off-road styling) and Aventura (exclusive styling).

Measuring 5,350 mm long, the new Amarok is just under 10 centimetres longer than its predecessor. A wheelbase of 3,270 mm represents an increase of 173 mm over the previous model, providing even more space in the double cab.
Depending on specification levels, more than 25 assistance systems are available. The spacious cabin has a premium class feeling, featuring a practical mix of digital and analogue controls, high-quality materials and screens measuring up to 12.3in.

Thanks to a payload of up to 1.19 tonnes, a maximum trailer weight of up to 3.5 tonnes and an improved cargo box design, few vehicles are as capable as the Amarok, on or off the road. The latest version has an increased fording depth of 80 cm (up from 50 cm previously) while a new 360-degree camera system takes the guess work out of off-road driving.

Power comes from Volkswagen’s tried and tested 2.0-litre turbodiesels with output of 125 and 151 kW. At the top of the range, the acclaimed 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel version (with an output of 177kW) adds unparalleled levels of refinement.

Depending on the model series, the Amarok is available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a ten-speed automatic gearbox. All models come with 4MOTION all-wheel drive as standard, either as an engageable (2H, 4H, 4L) or as an extended engageable all-wheel drive (4A, 2H, 4H, 4L).

> Browse Volkswagen Amaroks for sale in Ireland

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Martin O'Neill

Head of Content