VW Amarok Overland

[FlyNdrive]

I post pretty frequently on VWVortex, and I've never heard of such a plan - and we hear about what's going on at VW of America directly from insiders. I would be totally astonished if they were even considering going 100% diesel, let alone trying to make it a reality. They do okay selling small numbers of diesel wagons and such, but they're trying to become a major volume manufacturer, and to do that in the US, you can't be selling cars with expensive diesels in them.

My guess is that you were either mistaken, or the person you were talking to was.

This is a forum and I assumed someone would chime in like this. This person was from Germany and I can only attest to what I was told. He said now they are at 90% diesel and the plan would be contingent on US standards being met or changed.

[mallcrawler]

Mallcrawler, that's not accurate - the Amarok is different in nearly every dimension, it's more rigid, and most importantly GM and VW don't cooperate on development.

The Amarok is a very capable truck. I'd be reluctant to buy one for serious long-distance driving, because it still has a ways to go to prove itself and VW reliability is historically mediocre, especially early in a model generation. Toyotas have less to prove. It'd be a moot point in a fairly developed area, but I'd not want to have a turbo go in the middle of nowhere.

Thank you for clarifying this! I have to say I was overly optimistic when I heard rumors of the the trucks "possible reltations".

[Redrock]

This is a forum and I assumed someone would chime in like this. This person was from Germany and I can only attest to what I was told. He said now they are at 90% diesel and the plan would be contingent on US standards being met or changed.

They aren't at 20% right now, let alone 90.

[ExpoMike]

Okay, now that I have seen pics of this truck (nice BTW), I now know what it was I saw in the local B&N parking lot. I saw a truck but with a VW badge and was really confused. It had a rear mounted spare tire swing out (think it was a HitchGate, like I have). I was like cool but what was it. It was likely up from Mexico, since we get a lot of vehicles from there, up in San Diego.

Cool rig!

[iguana4x4]

I know VW has a long way to go compared to Toyota and other brands. This platform was chosen for travel around Colombia and South America, where VW has an extensive support network.

Will it be 100% reliable in the long run? I don´t, but I did drive all the options (Dual Cab Pickups) offrered in Colombia and the VW won my vote.

Also, Toyota and others didn´t win a reputation based on catalogs and brochures; it´s reputation is based on the experience of people like me who took the risk and tested the unknown!!

Opinions so far:

CONS
- Seating position is a bit low for offroading
- I wish the fuel gauge was more accurate
- Ride height is too low, stock skidplate was pretty bangged up when reaplaced (at just 4,000 kms.)

PROS
- Excellente load carrying capacity (1 Ton.)
- Fuel Economy (30 miles per gallon on best tank - 21,4 miles per gallon on worse tank)
- Good engine performance at any altitude (we drove her above 4,000 meter in the Andes las week)
- Confortable interior

Latest Mods:
- Added a set of iguana 4x4 Rocksliders
- Added a hitch and shackle mount as a rear recovery point

Latest Overland Trip: Sierra Nevada del Cocuy

This is definitely one of the most remote regions in Colombia. We covered 2,400 miles in 10 days, but since the Sierra Nevada is located in the high Andes some roads are just too narrow and with too many turn to make a decent progress. Some 50 mile sections required 3 or 4 hours to drive trough.

We stayed at the Kanwara Hostel at 4,000 meters of altitude. Waypoints are available for those of you who are interested.


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Mine is the one in the middle

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Guican, the gateway to the Sierra Nevada del Cocouy

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The trail to Kanwara

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Ritak Uwa peak at night

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Kanwara at night

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Warming up with a fire...and some scotch

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The trail to Laguna Verde (Green Lake @ 4400 meters of altitude)

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Surprisingly the 3.0L Turbo Diesel GU Patrol struggled above 3000 meters

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Zafiro. Just one thirsty horse

[RamRod]

I saw the Amarok when I was in Turkey this summer... I was really jealous then and still am now. Are they available in canada?

Not sure if it's been covered yet, but VW is considering Canada as a market for this truck! Hope it goes through!!

[iguana4x4]

It´s been a while since my last report on the Volkswagen Amarok. We have now covered 15,000 kms. and upgraded the OEM suspension with a Seikel "Desert" Suspension along with a set of Maxxis MT762 tires of the 235/85R16 variety. We also installed a diesel power chip from PSI in Belgium and the little 2.0L now delivers 190hp and 25% more torque!

The skidplate and rocksliders have paid themselves many times and fuel consumption was barely affected by the tire size change and chip install.

I now need an urgent storage solution for the bed.

Seikel Suspension parts
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We have since used the Amarok as a support vehicle for our Rally racing Team in the Guajira Desert and as a route recognition vehicle for a future expedition to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Guajira Desert Rally Raid 2012

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Local "Fuel Station"

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Fuelling the Nissan Patrol race truck

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The nissan blasting accross the desert, we won 1st place in the stock category

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Scouting the route for the Sierra Nevada Expedition. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is the highest mountain closest to the sea, it´s two higest peaks are abobe 5000 meters in altitude.

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