Amarok gets more power, 8-speed gearbox
Volkswagen?s Amarok bakkie has been rather well received in Southern Africa but its portfolio is not without a few blemishes. It lacks an automatic gearbox option and some fans have cried for a more powerful engine.
Volkswagen will be addressing both issues during 2012 with an upgraded turbodiesel engine and the option of a new eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Towards the end of June, the current 120kW/400Nm 2-litre twin-turbodiesel engine will be upgraded to produce 132kW and 420Nm, making it more powerful than its main four-cylinder rivals (the 120kW Isuzu KB and Toyota Hilux 3-litres), although the most powerful 2.5 dCi Navara still trumps them all with 140kW.
Volkswagen is claiming some impressive performance figures and the models fitted with the new automatic gearbox will reportedly be capable of a 179km/h top speed and an 8.5-second 80 to 120km/h sprint. It also boasts a towing capacity of 3200kg.
VW claims that the new eight-speed automatic model sips less fuel than the equivalent manual model (7.6 litres per 100km on the combined cycle).
Designed to work more effectively across the rev range the autobox uses the first two gears in place of low-range in offroad conditions or under a heavy towing load, while the eighth cog is a fuel-saving overdrive gear that reduces the engine speed.
The eight speed autobox will be available in Southern Africa around September this year.
? iol.co.za/motoring
Volkswagen will be addressing both issues during 2012 with an upgraded turbodiesel engine and the option of a new eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Towards the end of June, the current 120kW/400Nm 2-litre twin-turbodiesel engine will be upgraded to produce 132kW and 420Nm, making it more powerful than its main four-cylinder rivals (the 120kW Isuzu KB and Toyota Hilux 3-litres), although the most powerful 2.5 dCi Navara still trumps them all with 140kW.
Volkswagen is claiming some impressive performance figures and the models fitted with the new automatic gearbox will reportedly be capable of a 179km/h top speed and an 8.5-second 80 to 120km/h sprint. It also boasts a towing capacity of 3200kg.
VW claims that the new eight-speed automatic model sips less fuel than the equivalent manual model (7.6 litres per 100km on the combined cycle).
Designed to work more effectively across the rev range the autobox uses the first two gears in place of low-range in offroad conditions or under a heavy towing load, while the eighth cog is a fuel-saving overdrive gear that reduces the engine speed.
The eight speed autobox will be available in Southern Africa around September this year.
? iol.co.za/motoring
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