Test Driven ....

[ntboozer]

I'm also curious about the comments being made regarding load capacity / tow capacity in relation to engine cc.
Am I correct in saying 5th and 6th gear are 'over-drive' gears? If so, and I'm happy to be corrected, then when towing a 2t + load (in fact any load ???) or have a full tray of camping gear (or fencing gear etc) the 1:1 ratio (4th?? in the 'Rok') should be used if you want to avoid expensive gearbox re-builds. I've always been told by mechanic mates not to tow anything using overdrive. What I didn't do was heed the warnings as far as load carrying was concerned - market leading dual cab tray full of gear for extended trips, weekend trips, soil rocks etc + many k's travelled using 5th = paying mechanic many $ to re-build gearbox after destroying 5th.
If what I have said is correct then Gavs comments about 'dropping back to 4th' are words that should be noted. The 6 ratios are there to use as dictated by load and road conditions not just a means to get into 'top gear' on the open road and 'cruise' @ 100, 110 or 130km/h.
After my 'short' test drive on Saturday I can safely say the Rok drives a shed load better (and with a lot less fuss) in 4th @ highway speeds then any of the competitor dual cabs I've test driven (note all, including the VW, have been unladen).
Cheers
nt

[flyingfridge]

This question was asked at the launch training, according to 'ze ghermans', the gearbox has been built very strong with towing in mind so you should be able to tow in overdrive gears. I'm yet to try it myself but I'll be towing a boat late in march so I'll report then.

Still haven't asked the techs about the Multi F Steering wheel, they do the technical training on it in the next couple of weeks so I'll ask them after they've completed that.

[flyingfridge]

Figured that would be the case, not a surprise really. Ah well.

[ntboozer]

Dermot thanks for the info.
no retro fit MFSW in current Rok due to different loom - damn. Maybe it will appear in the next series

Sam
I'll take your word on the gearbox. Time will tell I guess. Most gearboxes will survive short term but many km's of overdrive towing / full tray loads will take their toll. It will be great if the VW engineers have designed an OE g'box that will survive maximum load/towing capacities in overdrive - I don't believe any other manufacture is willing to state that in their vehicle warranty.

All
How long has the Rok been on the road overseas?
Are there any other Amarok forums running that may give us Aussies an indication of how this vehicle is performing? I'm told that some O/S markets will treat this ute much harder than the Aussie market will. It would be good to review their comments.
Cheers
nt

[flyingfridge]

It's been on sale in Argentina & Brazil for just over 12 months, I found a Portuguese language forum a while ago from there but I can't seem to find it now with a quick google, does any one else know it?

[gavs]

The yarpies have a forum also, have of it s in afrikane though so it's just as difficult as trying to read portugese...

[flyingfridge]

the google translator will at least translate the Portuguese pages...

[phaeton]

Amarokers Forum Argentina (in Spanish)
Amarok Club Forum (in Russian)
Amarok Forum (in German)

[brodiesvenson]

Haven't posted here today, but have been reading for some time and thought it was time to post.
Test drove the Amarok today.
I AM in the market and wish to buy a dual cab manual ute right now. I have been looked at the dual cabs on the market today (with the exception of the BT-50, Ranger, Great Wall and Ssang Yong).
I have just sold a Ford Ranger. Great engine - most low down torque and power of any of the diesels I've driven on the market, but had some dealership issues.
The size has been mentioned as being the first thing to grab you when you jump in. I thought the same thing. It's huge - not F250 territory but it feels like it.
Better use of interior space.
I was wondering how VW fit a pallet between the wheel arches and now I know - they made the whole car wider.
The interior is a pleasant place to be but missing some simple touches that made it feel basic to me - more on that later.
It drives beautifully and is super quiet which is really surprising, but under load it is still a gravelly ute with diesel clatter. Cruising on the highway is quiet and a real highlight.
The car holds the road well, but is similarly sprung to other utes I've driven and you can still tell it is a ute has a high centre of gravity.
It is doughy and lacking low down torque, but this isn't unique for to the VW. The Triton seems to have the same characteristic. Just has the charactertic lag that some diesels seem to have. Although the one I drove only had done 45kms and maybe this would improve with age.
The chassis is rock solid and has more crossmembers and bracing than anything I've seen before I think. It has braces everywhere. I can see how it got a 5 star safety rating without the airbags of it's competitors.
However, people have been touting the Trendline as the match for the SR5 Hilux, and I don't believe it is. It is not similarly spec'd as I thought it would be.
It is missing:

Side Steps
Sports Bars
Chrome mirrors, door handles and steps
Leather wheel and gear knob
Ipod Input
Bluetooth
Curtain airbags
Ipod Input/aux input
Steering Wheel Controls

On other makes it is also missing:
Privacy Glass
Option for reversing camera

It's also frustrating to me, a potential buyer, that the towbar is such a high cost option as upgrades the radiator too. On any other vehicle this is a $500 option, but I had a quote of $1300. I see why it's expensive, but why not make the bigger radiator standard?
These may be simple, cosmetic things, but on upper spec utes this is what you get in the additional money.
Just disappointed these things are missing and they are so expensive to add.
These things make the cab a nicer place to be. Even a leather wheel would've been nice.
I can see the reason you would buy this is safety, size and the ability to fit a pallet between the wheel arches.
I don't buy fuel economy as a significant reason as the combined fuel economy for the Triton and the Hilux is only just a touch behind the VW.
More annoyed with this as up to and including the release, people have been touting the Trendline as the competitor for the SR5 and that'd be priced similar to the SR5. It's not the Trendline, but the Highline. Maybe that's the press' fault.
And yes, the Hilux has a higher sticker price than the Trendline, but any dealer in the land will do you a manual SR5 dual cab diesel for $51,000 drive away at the moment (I've quoted 5 dealers and this was the highest). Reversing camera and towbar and mats added $1000 for my quote on top of this.
I wanted the VW for the pallet in the tray ability. This was the big plus for me - and I'd waited since September for the launch so I could get one. But it's missing too many things I'd option on for me to buy it. Adding side steps, sports bars, leather wheel and bluetooth is too costly. And this still doesn't get me aux input or steering wheel controls.

[flyingfridge]

Lol, whoever told you that the tow bar upgrades the radiator is an idiot, the tow bar is just a hitch and the wiring - you don't even need a transmission oil cooler and yes that price is about right for a genuine item. (but look on the bright side, it's not 1850 like you pay for a genuine T5 tow bar)

Look you're right about the steering wheel controls being missing is a disapointment, but after living with mine for nearly 3 weeks I don't even miss them. My girlfriend caught me reaching for the volume control knob on the dash in a Passat CC last week - I didn't even realise

I still believe the Trendline is a match for the SR5, as the Highline has more standard kit.

[gavs]

The last SR5 bought here didn't have all of that standard, I believe they are probably doing that now (adding extra options) to try and clear stock due to the facelifted model due mid this year, hence why we compare the SR5 to the Trendline. I know which I prefer to drive with the manual gearbox and I sure as hell know which I would rather have an accident in.....

The best fuel economy achieved in the manual SR5? 10, 9.8 with sprint canopy fitted. Amarok is around the 7.8.

[Peter Jones]

I'm really curious to see the tow hitch when it comes out.

That rear step on the Trendline I saw looks substantial enough just to bolt the tongue straight to it.

Will it be VW manufactured or locally produced?

Also dying to hear some towing reviews or find a dealer willing to let me take my tandem out for a drag.

Wiring specs would be handy too. (Is this going to be a can-bus/LED/blown globe warning saga?)

Euro connector?

7 pin round/flat?

If it came down to it I'd rather have a fully functional euro trailer plug on the car and re-wire my trailers to match.

[Boothiness]

There will be a VW towbar released that sits further out on the Trendline (and all models with the rear bumper) but sits in under when paired with the base Amarok which doesn't feature the rear bumper.

Care would have to be taken with the tailgate on the base when released to the 180 degrees though because there would be nothing stopping it smashing into the towbar.

[flyingfridge]

Yup, the tow bar is just a hitch that just bolts to the rear step. You can acutally feel the holes it bolts to underneath the foot part.

I had my tow bar fitted today, it comes with the euro connector and a 7 pin flat mounted behind it.

[FLAUNTT]

I was lucky enough to win a Amarok for the weekend last weekend from the guys down at Bayford Volkswagen.

I was very impressed with the car, drives a hell of alot better than my 2008 Hilux SR. Power seems to be on a par with the Hilux (MINE IS THE 3.0LT DISESL) Just seems to come on a bit lower in the rev range.

The economy of the Amarok is up there with the example I had only having 550kms on the odometer (So the motor was well and truly tight still) it still managed to acheive 755kms with still 50kms showing left on the trip computer. I was'nt really nursing the car to get a good result on the economy so to hit this mark was a great suprise.

My Hilux only hits 550 - 580km mark with its 3.0ltr diesel running gear. Interior is well finished , a bit plain but the ergonomics are great and the front seats handled the 2.5hour drive from Geelong to Phillip Island with ease. A friend of mine who is well over 6 feet tall, was easily comfortable in the back seat.

It was a touch hard to give Sam ( Flying Fridge ) back the keys today But in saying that thanks to the Bayford team for allowing me a great test run in the Amarok!!