Friday 20th December 2013

Rocking the Amarok: PH Blog

The Germans do an American style pick-up truck, Paul's not shut up about it since driving it

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Pick-up trucks are cool, at least to those of us old enough to remember a pre-Mitsubishi L200 age where such things were either Tamiya-esque Hiluxes, car-derived commercials or, best of all, flare-sided, V8 powered GMCs (remember the Fall Guy?) or suchlike spotted at local custom car shows or maybe on Chelsea Bridge of a Saturday night. Actually, scrap that, the coolest pick-up is the El Camino ... or maybe the F150 ... what about Bigfoot? Anyway, you get the idea. Trucks are cool.

I was pondering this very thing on Twitter recently and praised the VW Amarok for being one of the smartest trucks on the UK market, a bit of class amongst the usual Japanese offerings that looked big on UK roads without being brash.

What surprised me is how many people agreed. And Volkswagen UK's awareness of this Twitter love led to them offering me one to try. I wasn't about to say no. This was my chance to live the dream so I signed up immediately.

It was no V8 bruiser, it had no chrome, no flares, no spotlights on the roof bar and (sadly) no confederate flag to be seen anywhere. But even with an auto 'box, 180hp diesel and 18-inch wheels swallowed up by huge arches it still managed to look (and feel) great. I wanted to park in the trade bay at B&Q, I wanted to head to the beach. I wanted to off-road. Damn it, I wanted to be 'lifestyle'. I wanted to live that dream.

The reality was lots of commuting (at about 28mpg) in a truck with a higher bonnet line than a new Range Rover and the width of a van, but I enjoyed every mile and even took it to a swanky black tie do at The Grosvenor and queued in a line of fancy metal for valet parking at the main entrance. The chap did his best to smile as he took the keys but clearly hated me as he'd missed out on driving the Maserati behind.

While he wasn't a fan, a Metropolitan Police officer was as he came to talk to me about the car as I waited to pick my girlfriend up from another fancy do in town. He wanted to replace his Defender with one, I showed him around it and he seemed impressed. Aforementioned girlfriend enjoyed our time with it too and we took it everywhere we went, most of the time I was a passenger as she wanted to drive it at every opportunity. She called it 'My Beast'. [Stop sniggering at the back - Ed.]

So while I was no Lee Majors, never did make it the beach or put anything in the back of it I still smiled every time I used it. In fact I smiled more than in any sports car I've driven of late. I want one, badly. With a body lift and big spotlights. Let's off road.

Paul

[sanctum]

Try a Defender before they go out of production, the grin factor is even bigger.

[Shaw Tarse]

I like the Amarok, but I also watched The Fall Guy when I was young.

[jke11y]

My showroom partner has one and it is a nice place to sit; has leather, DSG box and is very comfortable and refined. It is ab-so-lutely massive though. And matt black.

[Krikkit]

28mpg? Oh dear.

[powerstroke]

sanctum said:

Try a Defender before they go out of production, the grin factor is even bigger.

Yes when you hand it back !!! Poor copy of a jeep and not much good if you need a 4x4 should be called Pretenders...

[AudiWurst]

article said:

I wanted to be 'lifestyle'. I wanted to live that dream.

Given how popular VW vans are in this country, both with real tradesmen and lifestyle folk, I'm surprised I don't see more Amaroks on the road. Even on a recent holiday to North Cornwall - prime VW fanboy territory - I didn't see any.

There must be a sizeable group of middle class surfers and mountain bikers who would never dream of having a brash L200 on their driveway, but a VW (in a nice colour and civilised spec) might just pass the "wife approval" test. Maybe the price is putting them off.

[Vladimir]

Really like these but they are HUGE!
They share the engine and 4motion system our van has too.
If I needed a pick up, this would be the one I'd get!

[Carl_Spackler]

Having watched "Romancing the Stone" last weekend for the first time for about 20 years, the best truck of the 80's goes to.......

[Crazy of Cookham]

Have had one for a year now, 12,000 trouble free miles. Its help move a house, been to the beach, carries logs. Looks great with a couple of bikes mounted on the back. Can't live without it. Yes I get 25-28mpg, I think my wife can get 35mpg for same journey!, but my shoes are just heavier and cannot be helped. Its a very nice place to be and drive. Previously had a L200 and it is a definite step-up.

[dukebox9reg]

AudiWurst said:

article said:

I wanted to be 'lifestyle'. I wanted to live that dream.

Given how popular VW vans are in this country, both with real tradesmen and lifestyle folk, I'm surprised I don't see more Amaroks on the road. Even on a recent holiday to North Cornwall - prime VW fanboy territory - I didn't see any.

There must be a sizeable group of middle class surfers and mountain bikers who would never dream of having a brash L200 on their driveway, but a VW (in a nice colour and civilised spec) might just pass the "wife approval" test. Maybe the price is putting them off.

I dont think they have the load rating or tow rating of the Japanese pick ups. So not ideal for small businesses trying to maximise the vehicle/cost ratio. Not a lot of people care about the badge of the nose when your throwing concrete in the boot and scratching the paint work in the process.

The 2ltr Bi turbo just hasn't got the grunt of the bigger diesels and the current Japanese pick ups and the ones used for 'normal' customers have a massive following with various user forums and clubs etc. I think its one battle that the VW group is struggling to win.

[Root Ginger]

I'll just leave these here from the Curious George Movie.

[Madkat]

Yip I've seen as few now, they're HUGE!. Liverpool seems to have a few Left hooker V8 GMC's knocking around and the Amorak is right up there with it in terms of size.

[aarondbs]

I love mine. Mine being a 180 6 speed manual. It can be hustled along and there's fun to be had with the tc off and in 2wd. I've done 27000 miles since March including 3000 around France in the summer. It pulls a 3.0 bayliner without any issues and has been both reliable and a comfy motorway cruiser. There's a certain joy in hustling it down your favourite B road contending with the bounce from the leaf sprung rear and the grip available in 2wd. If a pickup is on your 'to try' list, try one of these..

[TimmyWimmyWoo]

I was taken around an off-road course at Rockingham by a pro-driver last month. The way it slithered through and up incredibly steep and slippery hills impressed the driver as much as me. It can come with a switchable low-range box and perma-4x4. So much want.

[bozzy101]

Would rather have this...

[Motormatt]

AudiWurst said:

article said:

I wanted to be 'lifestyle'. I wanted to live that dream.

Given how popular VW vans are in this country, both with real tradesmen and lifestyle folk, I'm surprised I don't see more Amaroks on the road. Even on a recent holiday to North Cornwall - prime VW fanboy territory - I didn't see any.

There must be a sizeable group of middle class surfers and mountain bikers who would never dream of having a brash L200 on their driveway, but a VW (in a nice colour and civilised spec) might just pass the "wife approval" test. Maybe the price is putting them off.

Funnily enough, my middle class mountain biking mate has one, and now lives out the 'lifestyle' dream. Its a great tool. We used it this summer to go to the French Alps mountain biking. 4 people, 7 big bikes and all the kit on a 1600 mile round trip, I cant think of a better vehilcle to have used.
I did the same journey a few years ago in an L200 and it was torture. The Amorok was like travelling in an S Class by comparison.

[LuS1fer]

I was behind a new Ford Ranger in my Fiesta ST the other day and thinking how smart it looked and how well it covered the ground. I have often toyed with the idea of a dual cab but Dodge rams suck fuel faster than it can be dispensed and some of these diesels are a bit clattery.

However, the practicality of it sort of fades when you THINK about it. First you need either a weather-protecting cover or an expensive add-on "estate-top", then you have the VAT or no VAT division so they're not very cheap and used non-VAT ones tend to have been scuffed and abused. Anyway, I got bored and soon gave up the idea.

Additionally, our local tip charges any pickup £25 to dump stuff as they assume you are a commercial type. An estate has to be better.

[HurryUpAndWait]

5.25m long. Blimey!

[yellowstreak]

I've always found the ride pretty brutal in the Hilux/L200 et al., with the leaf springs at the rear. What is the Amarok like?

[skyrover]

wheelbase looks a bit short on them TBH



vs



If VW offered an extended wheelbase with a proper bed, it would be a favourite with the tradies IMO