Volkswagen has shared some images depicting the exterior and cabin of the new Amarok pickup due out in 2022. If you noticed some similarities with the latest Ford Ranger (see video), that is no coincidence.
The automaker openly admits that the truck shares the platform and much of the tech with the Ranger, but assures us that the ‘Volkswagen DNA’ is still there. The sketches testify to that with their depictions of a front grille, hood cover and LED headlights connected with a light strip, like on most modern VWs.
You can also notice large wheel arches and a roll bar above the truck bed. Some additional lights can be seen on the roof, but it remains to be seen whether they make it into the equipment list when production begins. The Ford Ranger has no such option.
Inside the cabin, there is a gear selector and a drive mode switch on the center tunnel. The seats sport textured surfaces, and the vertical infotainment display looks stock Ford. The hardware controls have been redesigned, at least.
As for the engines, everything suggests they stem from the Ranger, too. This means a selection of turbo diesels including a state-of-the-art V6. On its home market of North America, the pickup may also ship with a 2.3-liter gasoline turbo-four.
Production of the next-gen Volkswagen Amarok is set to begin in South Africa and Argentina, leaving the main factory in Hannover, Germany closed for an upgrade that would enable Volkswagen to produce BEVs there.