- Walkinshaw-tuned Amarok W600 starts at AU$91,990 in Australia.
- It’s one of the priciest midsize trucks, surpassing the Ranger Raptor.
- Standard model’s 247 hp V6 diesel carries over with no changes.
The second-generation VW Amarok is the lesser-known sibling to the Ford Ranger, sharing the same bones and rolling off Ford’s South African assembly line. VW never built a rugged Baja-style version in the spirit of the Ranger Raptor, but Australians do get a road-tuned flagship developed by local engineering outfit Walkinshaw. The result is now one of the priciest midsize trucks Down Under, opening at AU$91,990 (US$64,100) before on-road costs.
Following the debut of the VW Amarok W600 last June, Volkswagen has announced Australian pricing ahead of the first deliveries, which are scheduled to begin in September.
More: Ford Turns The Ranger Super Duty Into A $65K Premium Workhorse
The sticker sits well above other locally-tuned flagships from rival models like the Mitsubishi Triton Raider or the Premcar-fettled Nissan Navara Pro-4X. The VW even outprices the Ford Ranger Raptor, which opens at AU$90,690 (US$63,200). The only midsize pickup that can climb higher with options is the Ford Ranger Super Duty, which runs between AU$82,990 and AU$99,990 (US$57,800-69,700) in the same market.
VW Amarok W600
Within the Amarok range, the W600 tops the current Aventura (AU$82,990 / US$57,800) and Walkinshaw’s previous-gen W580 SE (AU$86,990 / US$60,600). The gap widens once you start ticking option boxes. The power roller shutter adds AU$3,450 (US$2,400) and metallic paint another AU$1,100 (US$770), pushing the sticker to AU$96,540 (US$67,300) before on-road costs, which lands the final drive-away figure in six-figure territory.
Built For Tarmac, Not Trails
Unlike the rugged Raptor, Walkinshaw engineered the W600 for the road. The chassis work runs to bespoke Koni shock absorbers with Frequency Selective Damping, custom suspension valve calibration, a thicker 22 mm (0.87-inch) rear anti-roll bar, and recalibrated steering for sharper turn-in.
More: VW’s Secret Amarok SUV Refuses To Stay Buried
The truck rolls on black 20-inch alloys wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tires. There’s also a redesigned front bumper, fender extensions, electrically deployable side steps, and dual tailpipes.
VW Amarok W600
As you would expect at this price range, equipment is quite generous. The standard kit includes Savona leather upholstery, heated front seats with embroidered Walkinshaw headrests, aluminum pedals, a 12-inch infotainment display, and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
No Extra Muscle Under The Hood
For the price, you might expect something special under the hood. Sadly, there isn’t. The W600 keeps the standard 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel from the Amarok with no performance upgrades, and it makes just 247 hp (184 kW / 250 PS) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque, routing everything to all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic and a 4WD system. That leaves it well down on the cheaper Ranger Raptor, which pulls 392 hp (292 kW / 397 PS) and 430 lb-ft (583 Nm) from its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6.
More: VW’s “All-Black” Amarok Can Be Had In Blue And Grey For Those Who Missed The Point
There is a caveat worth keeping in mind. Senior VW officials have hinted that performance upgrades could arrive further down the line, which would address the one glaring hole in the W600’s resume. They have also suggested that an off-road-focused variant, possibly wearing the W600X name, hasn’t been ruled out, leaving the door open for a more appropriate Raptor rival.
