V6 Amarok Handling on Wet Roads

[wetaline2]

Not sure if this helps, but there is some mention of understeer with the 4motion during a track test
Volkswagen Amarok Nurburgring review - Autoblog

[Transporter]

A bit different, theirs didn’t understeer at very slow speed and they actually enjoyed it.

[wetaline2]

Ok here's a review at slower speeds talking about cornering - no mention of tyres though.
I'm really interested to know if other V6 owners have noticed understeer in the wet etc as I'm considering the purchase of a new vehicle and the permanent 4wd system being safer is one of the selling points over say a Ranger.
I currently drive a manual Amarok 2.0L and on very wet roundabouts if the wheels lose traction then I do notice slight understeer, but thats actually slipping tyres, not just normal driving with no loss of traction.

"The major downside of throwing all the good gear at the flagship Amarok is a significant increase in weight"
"The extra bulk also blunts on-road dynamics, particularly in tighter corners where the front end tends to bog down and understeer and body roll are easily provoked. It’s not a deal breaker, but it does make the 2.0-litre Amarok with its less potent but 80kg lighter 125kW/440Nm engine less of a handful in the twisty stuff. Where the V6 Amarok feels most comfortable is on flowing country roads, when the new speed-sensitive Servotronic steering firms up nicely and offers decent feel."

Full reveiw text here https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/volkswagen-amarok-2016-review-102730/

[brad]

I'd love to see what the alignment is set at.

I'm not familiar with the Amarok suspension. Does anyone know how adjustable it is?

[doinitsideways]

V6 Amarok Handling on Wet Roads

Hi,

I’ve got a 2018 V6 Highline and it handles superb in the wet.

No weight in the tray, 2 inch lift, arb bar with winch up front.

Tyres are pirelli scorpion on 18’s from the factory.

I came from a 2010 sr5 hilux that had cooper st’s and it was like being on ice in the wet.

I can push the rok though the roundabouts in the wet hard and haven’t noticed any understeer.

I’d check your wheel alignment, failing that it must be the rubber (they might be old rubber and have gone hard??)

The centre diff is non locking Torsen style diff and the rear as other have said is open unless manually locked...

Hope this helps...

Cheers,
Josh


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Transporter]

+1
The feedback I’m getting from customers who drive V6 Amarok is, that it holds well and can really be pushed into the corners. From looking at the V6 engine bay, you will notice that the engine has lower centre of gravity than 2.0L engine, and being heavier it pushes the front wheels down preventing loss of traction better than 2.0L Amarok, which is around for longer time and there aren’t any complaints that it would have worst handling than its opposition.

[V6 Rok]

Hi,

I’ve got a 2018 V6 Highline and it handles superb in the wet.

No weight in the tray, 2 inch lift, arb bar with winch up front.

Tyres are pirelli scorpion on 18’s from the factory.

Cheers,
Josh
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Which Scorpions have you got Josh ?
I'm a fan of the now discontinued ATR's

Ok here's a review at slower speeds talking about cornering - no mention of tyres though.
I'm really interested to know if other V6 owners have noticed understeer in the wet etc as I'm considering the purchase of a new vehicle and the permanent 4wd system being safer is one of the selling points over say a Ranger.
I currently drive a manual Amarok 2.0L and on very wet roundabouts if the wheels lose traction then I do notice slight understeer, but thats actually slipping tyres, not just normal driving with no loss of traction.

"The major downside of throwing all the good gear at the flagship Amarok is a significant increase in weight"
"The extra bulk also blunts on-road dynamics, particularly in tighter corners where the front end tends to bog down and understeer and body roll are easily provoked. It’s not a deal breaker, but it does make the 2.0-litre Amarok with its less potent but 80kg lighter 125kW/440Nm engine less of a handful in the twisty stuff. Where the V6 Amarok feels most comfortable is on flowing country roads, when the new speed-sensitive Servotronic steering firms up nicely and offers decent feel."

Full reveiw text here https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/volkswagen-amarok-2016-review-102730/

Interesting article. The other night I had a decent drive of a 4cyl Amarok (dry weather only) and while it's got smaller wheels and different tyres I'd tend to agree with some of that. I'm yet to drive any car that benefits from more weight over the front wheels at slow speeds.

I'll be checking alignment next week but think a change of tyres to something with a lower treadwear number and higher traction rating will help - I've not seen any B traction rated tyres for a while.

[doinitsideways]

Hi Rok,

They were the factory supplied tyre. It is the Scorpion ATR 255/60R18 112T

Like I said, have been fantastic on the road including in the numerous roundabouts in the wet that used to see my hilux with massive understeer. I remember shifting into 4 high just to navigate them which alleviated it a little, but still had understeer.

I just want something a bit bigger now, they look out of place now with the lift kit... just look that bit too small. And functionality wise, they don’t ballon enough when let down when I go to Fraser Island.




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[Ozsko]

+1
The feedback I’m getting from customers who drive V6 Amarok is, that it holds well and can really be pushed into the corners. From looking at the V6 engine bay, you will notice that the engine has lower centre of gravity than 2.0L engine, and being heavier it pushes the front wheels down preventing loss of traction better than 2.0L Amarok, which is around for longer time and there aren’t any complaints that it would have worst handling than its opposition.

Heavier engines cause change of direction to be lazier and slower, you can't defy physics. Audis suffered for years with this problem because they persisted with putting engines right out front and as they got bigger the problems got worse.

[Transporter]

Heavier engines cause change of direction to be lazier and slower, you can't defy physics. Audis suffered for years with this problem because they persisted with putting engines right out front and as they got bigger the problems got worse.

Why don’t you take both Amaroks for test drive and then talk physics?

[Ozsko]

Why don’t you take both Amaroks for test drive and then talk physics?

I don't need to because you can't change physics, ask Audi.

[Transporter]

I don't need to because you can't change physics, ask Audi.

I’m not trying to and don’t need to ask Audi about it. You can’t apply your theory of physics when you compare different cars, (in our case it’s Amarok V6 compared to Amarok 4cyl 2.0L). Why not? It’s really simple, because the crapiest old FWD car with less weight at the front for example 1989 Ford Laser, would have a better handling than Golf GTI. I further explain it to you; there are other components, electronics, design changes in the car that come into play as well.

The theory of physics work when you’re designing the car, not as much when comparing between them. That should be too simple.

[ScotRok]

For example, the Amarok already has a leaking rear pinion seal @ 3500 klms. The car is driven very sedately with no off roading or towing and is averaging 8.7/100 so nothing to do with harsh useage. Sometime seals leak - I get that but the dealer can't even fix it without sending pictures to VW Australia to approve it as a warranty claim. It's an obvious oil leak on a new car and shouldn't require head office authorization to get fixed.

They all seem to have this issue, I’ve had mine checked at all my services. If it is only showing a damp area and no drips then most likely the assembly grease sweating out. Mine hasn’t got any worse in over three years yet.

with the understeer is it on trailing or light throttle? V6 is a heavier engine and more weight over the front wheels can cause this. More throttle and in a lower gear should make the power go to the front axle to help pull the car round. That’s what I find in my 4cylinder.

[V6 Rok]

Hi Rok,

They were the factory supplied tyre. It is the Scorpion ATR 255/60R18 112T

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks. Good tyres those ATR's

I’m not trying to and don’t need to ask Audi about it. You can’t apply your theory of physics when you compare different cars, (in our case it’s Amarok V6 compared to Amarok 4cyl 2.0L). Why not? It’s really simple, because the crapiest old FWD car with less weight at the front for example 1989 Ford Laser, would have a better handling than Golf GTI. I further explain it to you; there are other components, electronics, design changes in the car that come into play as well.

The theory of physics work when you’re designing the car, not as much when comparing between them. That should be too simple.

You can't argue with physics. You also can't compare the handling characteristics of two totally different cars to try and support your argument. The discussion was referring to the two engine variations of Amarok that we assume share identical suspension and geometry apart from the engine. I don't know if what I'm experiencing is to do with the extra weight of the V6 or not, but extra weight over the front of two identical cars will be detrimental to the road holding. I've moved engines back in race cars and measured corner weights and know what the effects are.

They all seem to have this issue, I’ve had mine checked at all my services. If it is only showing a damp area and no drips then most likely the assembly grease sweating out. Mine hasn’t got any worse in over three years yet.

with the understeer is it on trailing or light throttle? V6 is a heavier engine and more weight over the front wheels can cause this. More throttle and in a lower gear should make the power go to the front axle to help pull the car round. That’s what I find in my 4cylinder.

The understeer occurs with very light trailing throttle. It does catch again similar to what you describe and is mainly on the initial turn in.

Pinion seal is not leaking enough to drip oil on the floor but wet's the fuel tank and spits over the exhaust. It's being repaired next week.

[Transporter]

Thanks. Good tyres those ATR's



You can't argue with physics. You also can't compare the handling characteristics of two totally different cars to try and support your argument. The discussion was referring to the two engine variations of Amarok that we assume share identical suspension and geometry apart from the engine. I don't know if what I'm experiencing is to do with the extra weight of the V6 or not, but extra weight over the front of two identical cars will be detrimental to the road holding. I've moved engines back in race cars and measured corner weights and know what the effects are.



The understeer occurs with very light trailing throttle. It does catch again similar to what you describe and is mainly on the initial turn in.

Pinion seal is not leaking enough to drip oil on the floor but wet's the fuel tank and spits over the exhaust. It's being repaired next week.

Why do I get a feeling that you just drive little bit faster in the wet than you should.

There are differences in 4 and the V6 and it’s not just an extra 70kg for the V6. It looks like stabiliser bar might be different, the centre of gravity will be different too, just open the bonnet on both and see where the engine seats.

What is your dealer saying to your roadhadling issue?
Mine is 2.0L not a V6 the ARB full bull bar fitted, which would put even more weight and even more at the front, almost worn out road tyres and there’s no noticeable understeer in wet even at higher but still LEGAL road speed, so I doubt that the V6 would be any different, especially when someone claiming at the low even just rolling speeds, unless there’s something wrong with yours.