Amarok Criticisms

[phaeton]

We all know no car is perfect and everyone has their individual opinion so here is a list I've complied from speaking to other customers today.

1) no map pockets in the back of the front seats.

2) no multifunction steering wheel as an option.

3) glove box is small.

4) no storage under rear seat (double cab) [Transporter double cab has this standard].

5) side bump strips (for those shopping centre excursions).

[Peter Jones]

• I don't own one.
• They don't come in red.

Other wise I don't think I'd change anything.

[flyingfridge]

• I don't own one.
• They don't come in red.

Other wise I don't think I'd change anything.

ditto here!

[Sharkie]

If it came with the 3.0TDI V6 I'd buy that above anything else ....

[idaho]

Rear drum brakes and leaf springs on the upmarket models. Nissan and Landrover could make utes with rear discs and coils on live axles. If VW did it it would set them a level above the opposition. I am sure the handling, when unloaded, would also be better.

[2dr Evangalist]

- No 132kw (or higher) engine option at Launch

[phaeton]

Actually this thread should be called the 'wishlist' with all thats been posted so far

I want a Dakar Amarok

[2dr Evangalist]

Rear drum brakes and leaf springs on the upmarket models. Nissan and Landrover could make utes with rear discs and coils on live axles. If VW did it it would set them a level above the opposition. I am sure the handling, when unloaded, would also be better.

Leaf springs can be setup to do a pretty good job,
BUT
add a set of Polyair air bags and THEN u r cooking.
I have written Polyair enquiring about availabilty of kits for `Roks, will keep eveyone posted
Cheers
Nick

[Jarred]

• I don't own one.
• They don't come in red.

Other wise I don't think I'd change anything.

nothing a respray and a bank loan wont fix!

[Seano]

The Transporter (including the cab chassis versions) has had rear discs and a rear suspension that is coil sprung (with a 1000kg payload) and live axle since the late 90's so VW could do it too.

But they won't....because there'd be little to differentiate the more expensive Transporter from what was originally supposed to be a 'developing markets' (AKA budget) utility vehicle.

In terms of what the Amarok is missing and/or criticism.....it's missing a perception of simplicity, lacks the necessary dealer penetration outside urban areas, no single cab (yet), no auto gearbox (yet), no factory cab chassis, no ultra budget (ie volume) 2wd version, high spec versions are very bland compared the bling versions of Jap utes (I prefer bland but show ponies don't), needs a factory 'slammed' 2wd (or AWD) option.....

....and the tyres on the low range 4Motion (4Lotion? FlawMotion?) versions we've seen here appear to be road tyres....useless

Uber Ute marketing concept.............is way stupid.

[team_v]

Pretty uncomfy looking (read: commercial) seating compared to basic cloth seats in my car.
Lack of MFSW which looks out of place now that i have one.

[Transporter]

The Transporter (including the cab chassis versions) has had rear discs and a rear suspension that is coil sprung (with a 1000kg payload) and live axle since the late 90's so VW could do it too.

But they won't....because there'd be little to differentiate the more expensive Transporter from what was originally supposed to be a 'developing markets' (AKA budget) utility vehicle.

In terms of what the Amarok is missing and/or criticism.....it's missing a perception of simplicity, lacks the necessary dealer penetration outside urban areas, no single cab (yet), no auto gearbox (yet), no factory cab chassis, no ultra budget (ie volume) 2wd version, high spec versions are very bland compared the bling versions of Jap utes (I prefer bland but show ponies don't), needs a factory 'slammed' 2wd (or AWD) option.....

....and the tyres on the low range 4Motion (4Lotion? FlawMotion?) versions we've seen here appear to be road tyres....useless

Uber Ute marketing concept.............is way stupid.

What's your curent ute or van? If, I can ask.
I'm sure they did some market research.

[sh|tbmxrider]

Jeez people, its a WORK UTE.

It competes with Hilux/Navara/D-Max/Colorado/Triton... And competes well.

Im not entirely sure what you expect?

[Seano]

What's your curent ute or van? If, I can ask.
I'm sure they did some market research.

Transporter Dual Cab 2.5TDi syncro.......

Don't get me wrong. I'm not dissing the Amarok because I think it is crap or flawed or whatever. I'm sure it is a perfectly good vehicle when it is considered against its target market - it certainly has the range. And I'm very certain that VW AG did its market research in this respect.

However, it appears to me that few here on this forum or within VWoA appear to have read or taken notice of that market research.

Put simply.....the Amarok is not supposed to be a Tiguan (or a Touareg) with a tray, it is a commercial vehicle. And like the Caddy it is an entry level VW commercial vehicle. In both cases, if you want the more powerful TDi engine and a fancy coil rear end then spend another ten grand or so on a Transporter ute or van. That's what VW WANT you to do.

By all means, VW should be offering bling versions of the ute because that is where the action is in this class....but I reckon they are too understated. There's little to seperate the basic version from Highline unless you are a trainspotter - you'd never make that mistake with a Jap ute. By the same token, the basic version doesn't have the perception of rugged simplicity that a Toyota Workmate does.

The really amusing thing to me is that our local VW dealer is also a Great Wall and Mitsubishi dealer - I know they sell many more of the GW utes than the Triton and most likely the forthcoming Amarok.....indeed, they even 'recommend' the GW over the Triton and the Amarok will almost certainly get the same treatment. The GW utes are similarly (or even better) featured and many thousands cheaper to buy and operate and as I've heard many GW owners around here say "...it's just a ute, so why pay more?".

All the research in the world is useless unless it is taken advantage of....

[phaeton]

Transporter Dual Cab 2.5TDi syncro.......

Don't get me wrong. I'm not dissing the Amarok because I think it is crap or flawed or whatever. I'm sure it is a perfectly good vehicle when it is considered against its target market - it certainly has the range. And I'm very certain that VW AG did its market research in this respect.

However, it appears to me that few here on this forum or within VWoA appear to have read or taken notice of that market research.

Put simply.....the Amarok is not supposed to be a Tiguan (or a Touareg) with a tray, it is a commercial vehicle. And like the Caddy it is an entry level VW commercial vehicle. In both cases, if you want the more powerful TDi engine and a fancy coil rear end then spend another ten grand or so on a Transporter ute or van. That's what VW WANT you to do.

By all means, VW should be offering bling versions of the ute because that is where the action is in this class....but I reckon they are too understated. There's little to seperate the basic version from Highline unless you are a trainspotter - you'd never make that mistake with a Jap ute. By the same token, the basic version doesn't have the perception of rugged simplicity that a Toyota Workmate does.

The really amusing thing to me is that our local VW dealer is also a Great Wall and Mitsubishi dealer - I know they sell many more of the GW utes than the Triton and most likely the forthcoming Amarok.....indeed, they even 'recommend' the GW over the Triton and the Amarok will almost certainly get the same treatment. The GW utes are similarly (or even better) featured and many thousands cheaper to buy and operate and as I've heard many GW owners around here say "...it's just a ute, so why pay more?".

All the research in the world is useless unless it is taken advantage of....

I know what your saying everyone is expecting the Amarok to be car like as this is where the segment is going, honestly the Amarok is a commercial vehicle through and through.

Trendline vs Highline not much difference other than bigger wheels, chrome, higher grade air con and radio - I would be expecting something very soon to happen, Argentine sources report a sports variant is imminent as well as another power BiTDI.