2022 Volkswagen Amarok price and specs: Black Edition added in final year

After over a decade on the market, the Volkswagen Amarok is being replaced soon.

The new ute, developed alongside the redesigned Ford Ranger, is due here in the first quarter of 2023, around six months after the new Ranger lobs.

Meanwhile the current Amarok has entered 2022 unchanged but for the introduction of the rugged W580X, due here in the second quarter of 2022, and a Black Edition with the TDI580 engine.

There will be 400 examples of the latter, which Volkswagen says are en route to dealers.

Over the TDI550 Sportline, the TDI580 Black Edition (pictured above) adds the more powerful engine tune plus illuminated side steps, bi-xenon headlights, paddle shifters, a black sports bar, and 18-inch ‘Rawson’ alloy wheels with a black finish.

2022 Volkswagen Amarok price and specs: Black Edition added in final year — **W580X**

While the Amarok is one of the oldest utes in the segment, it’s unique – at least until the new Ranger comes – in offering the option of a turbo-diesel V6.

Volkswagen has capitalised on this by introducing V6-powered Amaroks tuned by Australian firm Walkinshaw, the W580X being the latest.

It has a more overt off-road focus than the “grand touring” W580S, and costs $4100 less. You can, however, select a $4690 Luxury Package to equip it similarly to the W580S.

The W580X rides on 18-inch forged alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion AT Plus tyres, while there are rock sliders and under-body bash plates and a breather kit fitted to the differentials.

The twin-tube dampers also feature a different tune to the W580S, aimed at superior comfort off-road.

While the W580X is joining the line-up, the total number of Walkinshaw-tuned Amaroks will remain at two as Volkswagen phases out the standard W580.

Unlike rivals such as the Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max, the Amarok is available exclusively as a 4×4 dual-cab ute. Cab-chassis, single-cab and 4×2 variants were once offered but have been discontinued during the Amarok’s run.

Pricing

2022 Volkswagen Amarok TDI400 Core manual: $45,890
2022 Volkswagen Amarok TDI420 Core: $48,890
2022 Volkswagen Amarok TDI500 Core manual: $50,890
2022 Volkswagen Amarok TDI550 Core: $53,890
2022 Volkswagen Amarok TDI550 Sportline: $57,990
2022 Volkswagen Amarok TDI580 Highline: $63,490
2022 Volkswagen Amarok TDI580 Black Edition: $64,090
2022 Volkswagen Amarok TDI580 Aventura: $73,990
2022 Volkswagen Amarok W580X: $77,390
2022 Volkswagen Amarok W580S: $81,490

All prices exclude on-road costs.

Engines

The 2022 Volkswagen Amarok has a choice of turbo-diesel four- and six-cylinder engines, available in a range of tunes.

The TDI400 and TDI420 are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel, producing 132kW of power and 400Nm of torque in the former, and 420Nm of torque in the latter.

The TDI400 is exclusively offered with a six-speed manual transmission, while the TDI420 is paired with an eight-speed automatic.

Volkswagen also offers a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 across the TDI500, TDI550, and TDI580 lines.

In the TDI500, it makes 165kW and 500Nm and is mated with a six-speed manual transmission, while the TDI550 has the same 165kW but bumps peak torque to 550Nm in conjunction with its eight-speed automatic.

On overboost, the TDI500 and TDI550 develop up to 180kW for short bursts (up to 10 seconds) in third and fourth gear.

The range-topping TDI580 (and W580) models offer 190kW and 580Nm, and once again feature an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.

Like the lower-spec models, the TDI580 has an overboost function, offering up to 200kW for short periods.

Volkswagen hasn’t published 0-100km/h times for the entire powertrain range, but TDI550 models have a claimed 7.9-second sprint and TDI580 models take 7.3 seconds.

Fuel Economy

The TDI400 has an 8.4L/100km claim on the ADR combined cycle, while the TDI420 uses a claimed 8.9L/100km.

Meanwhile, the TDI500 has a claimed fuel economy figure of 9.7L/100km, dropping to 9.1L/100km in the TDI550 and 9.5L/100km in the TDI580.

It’s worth noting Volkswagen recently changed the Amarok’s V6 engines to a EU5-certified motor which is less efficient and emits more CO2 and NOx – but there’s no complex AdBlue injection system.

Dimensions

The 2022 Volkswagen Amarok measures 5254mm long, 1954mm wide and 1878mm tall, with a 3095mm wheelbase.

Payload varies from model to model.

TDI400 Core: 1033kg
TDI420 Core: 1018kg
TDI500 Core: 1004kg
TDI550 Core: 989kg
TDI550 Sportline: 976kg
TDI580 Black Edition: 947kg
TDI550 Highline: 933kg
W580S: 848kg
TDI580 Aventura: 836kg

Braked towing capacity is 3000kg in the TDI500 Core and all four-cylinder models and 3500kg across the rest of the V6 range. Towball load limit is 300kg and braked towing capacity is 750kg across the range.

To see how the Amarok stacks up against rivals in tub size, check out our article on Dual-cab ute tub dimensions compared.

Safety

When the Amarok was tested by ANCAP over a decade ago in 2011, it received a rating of five stars.

That rating was based on a frontal offset score of 13.99 out of 16 and a side impact score of 16 out of 16. Whiplash and pedestrian protection were rated Good and Marginal, respectively.

All 2022 Volkswagen Amarok models come standard with front and front-side airbags, but there are no airbags for rear seat occupants.

There’s also no active safety technology like autonomous emergency braking, which means the Amarok wouldn’t receive five stars if it was assessed again in 2022.

Servicing and Warranty

The Amarok ute is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty like the wider Volkswagen range.

Maintenance in the Amarok is required every 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first.

Volkswagen Australia offers five-year Care Plans which cover scheduled servicing for said period, and are significantly cheaper than paying as you go.

Until June 30, 2022, the service package costs $1600 for the four-cylinder Amarok, while V6 models are slightly dearer at $1700. These plans usually cost $2200 and $2300.