Geneva unveils Volkwagen Amarok

The Amarok is Volkswagen’s first ever pick-up, and it has gone on display at the Geneva Motor Show.

The vehicle will be initially sold only in double-cab guise, but company executives assure us that there will be a single-cab, low-spec version shown at the Hannover Show in 2011.

The Amarok is set to challenge the already established Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger as it becomes available for sale in the UK in September 2010. Its launch couldn’t come at a worse time in the industry as pick-up sales have been down by more than 30% for 2010 so far.

The Amarok will come with the option of BlueMotion technology, which includes aerodynamic aides and longer gear ratios. It has been available on some Volkswagen cars since 2006, and aims to make the vehicles more aerodynamic and economical. The principles are very similar to Don-Bur’s teardrop lorries, which took the LGV / HGV driving sector by storm in 2008.

Product marketing manager for Amarok, Christian Wattenberg, says:

“We needed to be represented in the key pick-up markets so that’s why we’ve launched the Amarok. The UK market for these types of vehicles is not as good as other markets like Argentina, Brazil, South Africa and Australia, which is where we forecast Amarok sales to be strongest. It’s both a commercial and lifestyle vehicle and it also happens to be one of the most fuel-efficient with 34.8mpg on a combined cycle.”