Amarok at AIMS 2010

[phaeton]

That interior is far and away better than anything else in the 4x4 dual cab segment

Yes but no multifunction steering wheel is a big no no.

Even the Polo 77 TSI with Comfort pack has it for 27K????

[DionM]

Its just a wall of grey. Hard, grey plastic. Doing the centre console as one big mould (as it appears) looks tacky.

Take a look at a Triton or Navara - much better.

[phaeton]

Its just a wall of grey. Hard, grey plastic. Doing the centre console as one big mould (as it appears) looks tacky.

Take a look at a Triton or Navara - much better.

I think it looks classy


On the chassis flex - Which is best: stiff or flexible chassis @ ExplorOz Forum

[gavs]

To try and kill a few birds with one stone here:

Dion, we have a fleet of every dual cab on the market bar the current BT-50 and while it does look cheap being hard plastic, not fancy soft touch like we're used to in a VW, remember that bar the leather inserts, a $120,000 200 Series Sahara has no soft touch plastics and has a shocking driving position, the seats are crap and it feels like you're driving a simulator. I am also guessing you haven't spent long periods of time with a Navara, the triton isn't too bad though. My favourite thing about the navara is watching the whole dash twist as you use 1st and 2nd gears.....

Over harsh roads, the vw build quality clearly outperformed the hilux, while the whole interior of the hilux like to rattle and shake itself around, the vw was steady as a rock.

Loaded to the hilt, 80kph up a hill (like mt dandenong tourist rd from ferntree gully) in 6th gear isn't too bad for "a p*ssweak 2ltr" vs 4th gear in a "muscular" 3ltr hilux!

Sam, unfortunatley, it was a very standard off-road test, one that any proper off-roader will encounter numerous times.

[Transporter]

Sam, unfortunatley, it was a very standard off-road test, one that any proper off-roader will encounter numerous times.

So, most of the Amaroks that went through the Dakar ended up with the bent chassis. Right?

Did you use winch or lift the Amarok with long lift jack?

[flyingfridge]

Yes but no multifunction steering wheel is a big no no.

Even the Polo 77 TSI with Comfort pack has it for 27K????

yeah i concur on the multi fn swheel. I still wouldn't be surprised if it was offered as an option in the oz market, they do offer it on the transporter, caddy and crafter so to blankly leave it out wholesale would be a surprise...

Over harsh roads, the vw build quality clearly outperformed the hilux, while the whole interior of the hilux like to rattle and shake itself around, the vw was steady as a rock.

Loaded to the hilt, 80kph up a hill (like mt dandenong tourist rd from ferntree gully) in 6th gear isn't too bad for "a p*ssweak 2ltr" vs 4th gear in a "muscular" 3ltr hilux!

Sam, unfortunatley, it was a very standard off-road test, one that any proper off-roader will encounter numerous times.

damn, that's a shame. all the videos of the thing in testing make it look like it's bulletproof from that respect. fingers crossed you guys got an 'early production' one eh?

hehe love the hilux comparison

[DionM]

To try and kill a few birds with one stone here:

Dion, we have a fleet of every dual cab on the market bar the current BT-50 and while it does look cheap being hard plastic, not fancy soft touch like we're used to in a VW,

That's thing, I was hoping for a little better from VW. It just looks monotonous - at least others dress it up a little. Maybe it'll look better in the skin.

remember that bar the leather inserts, a $120,000 200 Series Sahara has no soft touch plastics and has a shocking driving position, the seats are crap and it feels like you're driving a simulator. I am also guessing you haven't spent long periods of time with a Navara

Nope, I wouldn't buy a Navara or Pathy for quite a number of reasons, esp their diesels. (I just bought an NT Di-D Pajero, so was test driving quite a few options).

Sam, unfortunatley, it was a very standard off-road test, one that any proper off-roader will encounter numerous times.

Hmmm. Off-angle recovery pull on one side of the chassis? Ala what everyone claimed would destroy a monocoque Pajero and MMA had to go and prove it wouldn't?

[gavs]

So, most of the Amaroks that went through the Dakar ended up with the bent chassis. Right?

Nope, coz they couldn't do this test.....

Nope, I wouldn't buy a Navara or Pathy for quite a number of reasons, esp their diesels. (I just bought an NT Di-D Pajero, so was test driving quite a few options).

Very nice choice, I think that is probably one of the nicest of all the 4x4s on the market, bar the induction noise of the diesel, unless you option the Rockford Fosgate stereo to drown it out

[DionM]

Very nice choice, I think that is probably one of the nicest of all the 4x4s on the market, bar the induction noise of the diesel, unless you option the Rockford Fosgate stereo to drown it out

Yep, I have the MMCS / Rockford Fosgate system in mine Am quite happy with it - a bit of a step down from my previous XJ Cherokee that had a few mods in terms of outright capability, but far and away a better tourer.

I just wish someone made a decent bullbar that let me retain my headlight washers ... the Mitsu one is horrible.

[sh|tbmxrider]

Whats the bloody test?

[Transporter]

Whats the bloody test?

You shouldn't ask. Now, the conversation died. I suppose we have to assume that chassis bending is real and reconsider purchase if Amarok would be used for frequent off road duties. Triton looks good at the moment and certainly price is competitive, few of my customers now changed from Navara to Triton and they're really happy with it. Two weeks ago, I did 10,000km service on 2.5CRD dual cab and kind of like what I saw... and ques what? No DPF!

[DionM]

Mitsu have been very proactive on the DPF issue. 2009 Pajeros had issues with it, so in 2010 they removed it ...

[gavs]

Sorry I haven't replied in a while guys, things have been more than a bit hectic at work so time isn't something I haven't had the liberty of.

Look, to try and douse the flames a bit from earlier on, I can't disclose any other info which I am sorry about but I am sure that any of you cannot tell me about every sorded detail of anything that you are working on at work, especially if you are not a company owner. Some of you know where I work and will draw your own conlusions, that is why I may come accross a little vague in some posts or replies.

To keep enthusiasm up and so people don't start throwing their hands in the air saying "bloody VAG, I knew they would screw the car up", I will say that this is the result of new pedestrian impact safety regulations for the EU, soon apparently getting introduced here. This results in a chassis front that cannot be utilised like other manufacturers because the whole front is one giant assembly. There are ways around it, it just takes time though. This could also be why the rumours of only plastic frontal protection systems will be introduced at an OE level....

[Transporter]

I know mate, and understand. We are grateful for even small info or head up and it's good to have members like you in the forum.

[phaeton]

Sorry I haven't replied in a while guys, things have been more than a bit hectic at work so time isn't something I haven't had the liberty of.

Look, to try and douse the flames a bit from earlier on, I can't disclose any other info which I am sorry about but I am sure that any of you cannot tell me about every sorded detail of anything that you are working on at work, especially if you are not a company owner. Some of you know where I work and will draw your own conlusions, that is why I may come accross a little vague in some posts or replies.

To keep enthusiasm up and so people don't start throwing their hands in the air saying "bloody VAG, I knew they would screw the car up", I will say that this is the result of new pedestrian impact safety regulations for the EU, soon apparently getting introduced here. This results in a chassis front that cannot be utilised like other manufacturers because the whole front is one giant assembly. There are ways around it, it just takes time though. This could also be why the rumours of only plastic frontal protection systems will be introduced at an OE level....

So what your possibly saying is, VW may not be the first to fail this tests once the next gen of utes get this EU reg on their vehicles.

Incidently do you guys report back to the manufacturer as an aid for future development of their product?