The 2023 Volkswagen Amarok is expected to come with four Ford-sourced engines – three diesels and one petrol – when it goes on sale in Australia during the first quarter of next year.
The headline act will be the new V6 diesel which, unlike the hugely popular old model’s unit that accounted for more than 90 per cent of Amarok sales, will be sourced from development partner Ford.
The 3.0-litre TDI engine’s outputs will match those of V6 Ranger, at a meaty 184kW of power and 600Nm of torque. A 10-speed auto and permanent AWD system will likewise be standard, as will the class-normal 3500kg towing capacity.
MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok
Perhaps more surprising is the fact Volkswagen Australia today said to CarExpert a Ford turbo-petrol engine will be offered in local-market Amaroks. The same engine won’t come in Australian-market Ford Ranger models.
The 2.3-litre four makes a claimed 222kW of power and 452Nm of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic and permanent all-wheel drive.
A version of this 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine features in the older-design US-market Ranger and numerous Ford Performance passenger cars.
Volkswagen Australia might be offering this petrol engine in such a diesel-dominated market segment to give itself a point of difference.
After all, it also will not have access to the Ford Ranger Raptor’s 292kW and 583Nm 3.0-litre turbo V6, for use in the Amarok.
There’ll be nothing quite like it in Australia’s diesel-heavy 4×4 ute market, provided Volkswagen Australia delivers. A ute with the (literal) engine of a hot hatch…
The other engine choices in the 2023 Amarok will be the latest Ford Bi-Turbo 2.0-litre diesel four with 154kW and 500Nm, with a 10-speed auto. Depending on the country there’ll be either permanent or part-time four-wheel drive options – Australia’s option remains to be seen.
The base grade is expected to be a 125kW and 405Nm 2.0-litre diesel with part-time 4×4 and six-speed transmissions.
Want to know more about the new Amarok? See below.
MORE: 2023 Volkswagen Amarok revealed: Everything you need to know
