Who is planning on buying an Amarok ?

[gavs]

Well my info is relatively reliable so hopefully things don't change in the next few months....

A pajero to replace the Jeep is a good choice. Though, anything other than a jeep would be a good choice You are correct in that only the 6 speed manual coupled with either single or twin turbo diesel engines will be sold here initially, with the petrol varients along with the auto trans and single cab available approx 3rd qtr next year.

[phaeton]

I'll believe the above pricing when I see it but I do know VW are aiming to undercut the Hilux where possible.

[DionM]

Well my info is relatively reliable so hopefully things don't change in the next few months....

A pajero to replace the Jeep is a good choice. Though, anything other than a jeep would be a good choice You are correct in that only the 6 speed manual coupled with either single or twin turbo diesel engines will be sold here initially, with the petrol varients along with the auto trans and single cab available approx 3rd qtr next year.

Now now, my trusty old Jeep (01 Cherokee) has served us well. Plenty of extras and only let us down once. Its been setup to be very capable offroad but still daily driveable. Its replacement will be more touring focussed; hence looking at the Paj. I'm not sold on dual cab utes but I would have made exception for the Amarok, but no pricing and the lack of auto for some time is a killer for the vehicle I'd be after (well specced).

[gavs]

Now now, my trusty old Jeep (01 Cherokee) has served us well. Plenty of extras and only let us down once.

I apologise, a Land Rover is worse than a Jeep

We have 2 in the fleet here at work and after driving both (a cherokee and a wrangler) I am amazed at the ingeniuous American engineering prowess that goes into these vehicles. I really don't understand, and the laws of physics contradict it, but how Jeep can make a verticle suspension movement turn into a jump sideways across the lanes on a freeway, consistantly, is an engineering marvel!

Seriously though, if you are after a "Touring" 4x4, look at the Prado 150 more than the Paj, even though the Paj is a monocoque design, generally the domain of road cars, it is still an extremely competant off-roader. Be warned, Mitsubishi accountants took over their engineering and quality control departments from around november last year up until, well, now. We have had several major issues on both our brand new Paj, Challenger and triton so just be Vary wary when you buy....


Phaeton, this is coming from VAG, but who knows how reliable that info is.....

[flyingfridge]

You probably have more info than we do gavs. At the moment VW's official line is still "somewhere around the price of the Hilux".

I did a little bit of a work out based on the German pricing of both given they're both imported vehicles to Germany they should be pretty comparable. Over there the Amarok and Hilux are within aroun 500 euros of each other in comparable models. That doesn't take into acount what sort of deal VGA will cut with the factory though so its still anyone's guess.

As much as I'd love it, I can't see it undercutting Hilux by $5k though, it wouldn't make good sense from a market or business point of view really. I mean, if you can sell a competitive product and most people I talk to are pretty happy when the price is Hilux equivalent, not more expensive, you charge what the market will accept for it.

Still, here's fingers crossed eh?

[DionM]

I apologise, a Land Rover is worse than a Jeep

Yes, I've had one of them (actually, two; but the second one was a project vehicle that never got finished ...)

We have 2 in the fleet here at work and after driving both (a cherokee and a wrangler) I am amazed at the ingeniuous American engineering prowess that goes into these vehicles. I really don't understand, and the laws of physics contradict it, but how Jeep can make a verticle suspension movement turn into a jump sideways across the lanes on a freeway, consistantly, is an engineering marvel!

Well you know how the saying goes, It's a Jeep Thing

We got ours really cheap s/hand and while unsophisticated its simple to repair. And with a mild lift and swaybar disconnects it goes quite a few places ...

Seriously though, if you are after a "Touring" 4x4, look at the Prado 150 more than the Paj, even though the Paj is a monocoque design, generally the domain of road cars, it is still an extremely competant off-roader. Be warned, Mitsubishi accountants took over their engineering and quality control departments from around november last year up until, well, now. We have had several major issues on both our brand new Paj, Challenger and triton so just be Vary wary when you buy....

Yeah I'm not so fussed on the Prado. Things I didn't like was it felt less refined onroad than the new NT Paj diesel, and the very high boot level because of the seats stored under the deck. Plus the Paj can be had cheaper and that cheap factory locker is tempting as well

Anyway, to bring this thread back around, I'm really curious to see how the Amarok drives, given its leaf rear and solid axle (which is what my XJ Cherokee has). Unloaded they can be a bit of a handful, especially when you lift them with heavier duty springs (as I have in mine).

Phaeton, this is coming from VAG, but who knows how reliable that info is.....

I guess we need to keep in mind that the Triton is a bit of a surprise package and in many respects better than the Hilux AND cheaper; yet the Hilux is #1 seller - says a lot about the power of reputation. The Hilux is also at the top end price wise

[Jmac]

Tdi from the Treg would do the trick me thinks. Hmm. I like the look of these.
Jmac

[phantomcamel]

You are unlikely to see any pricing until after the launch at the Sydney Motor Show! All info is under embargo - that includes the dealerships.

[phantomcamel]

I'd like one of these as a company/daily car if I ever get the option. As per some of Sharkie's comments above though VW dealer customer service and to a lesser extent their quality is really starting to let the game down.
Cheers,
Trent

All manufacturers have quality issues at times. The key is how the manufacturer deals with it. Look at the recalls TOYOTA had - including the HILUX just recently. Still one of the most reliable cars.

[phantomcamel]

The problem is that fleet buyers have a very specific set of parameters that they have to work to and with the every-growing issue off stupidity and finger pointing, fleets now want to provide the most idiot-proof vehicles out there for their staff, hence why the generally use 4x4, automatic hiluxs because at the flick of a lever, the car can basically drive itself, all the driver has to do is steer.

With the electronic complexity of the Amarok, don't be surprised if that is the reason that VWA is projecting those figures. Your generic "off-roader" doesn't like anything electronic because they either can't operate it or (more often the case) feel threatened by it, hence why the uptake of the Prado and 200 series 'Cruiser seem to be in suburbs that have high incomes, not in the suburbs with the demographic of "off-roaders".

All it generally takes is for one vehicle to be kitted out with off-road gear to sway opinion though

Stop reading my mind Gavs...

[DionM]

Well VWs long drawn out game and the fact no auto for a couple of years has led me astray - I've purchased another 4WD. Maybe when its up for replacement I'll look at the Amarok.

[barefoot]

If it's anything like a Toyota Sportivo I hired in NZ with a 6 speed manual, it would drive me mad changing gears all the time, though I think a diesel would probably be more drivable (perhaps even take off in 2nd, change into 4th, then 6th......

Although I really, really enjoy my t'reg I'm also keen to upgrade, and the Amarok was looking like a potential intermediate until the new treg comes out....but I'm not sure about a 6 speed manual, I think it'd take a decent test drive before I commit, not to mention rear leaf sprung...could have a lively, bouncy rear ....

[gavs]

The reputation for leaf springs giving a crappy and bouncy ride is really quite untrue, it moreso comes down to the suspension geometry and spring selection, along with correct damper matching, but I see what you're saying

For example, I would not say that a ZR1 Corvette is a lively, bouncy rear end, granted it has inverted carbon fibre leaves, but they're still leaves

We test vehicles here at work all the time with leaves and there are 2 factors that control the rear end of the vehicle with heavy leaves, the damper and the internal friction of the leaves. The test Hilux I spend most of my time in is really very comfortable to ride in and if it wasn't for the cooper tyres, that would be a great rear-end setup, we hit speed humps at 70kph with barely a murmur, which really does pay alot of credit to our suspension engineers.

With the right setup, even a live axle, leaf sprung rear end can be great, especially with the design of the Amarok setup

[disco2300]

I will once they come out with an auto. Highline version, leather and all the fruit. Not everyone that buys a ute is a tradie.

[Sharkie]

I will once they come out with an auto. Highline version, leather and all the fruit. Not everyone that buys a ute is a tradie.

Agreed, I will likely buy 1 as well now that the petrol turbo has been confirmed. Mine will be 2.0TSI, manual and highline with fruit. Need to determine all the AWD options 1st to see which 1 would be best for us.

I'll wait and give it 6 months to settle down and then buy 1 .... and just for Ben mod it ...

Will be our 4th DualCab and its a lifestyle vehicle for us not a trade vehicle ......