Latest news with #Amarok
The Herald
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Herald
Volkswagen South Africa tight-lipped over Amarok recall query
Volkswagen Group Africa cannot confirm if a recent safety recall for the Ford Ranger applies to its related Amarok. The Amarok shares its mechanical make-up with the Ranger and the two vehicles are built at Ford's Silverton manufacturing facility in Tshwane, using engines produced at the blue oval's plant in Gqeberha. Last week Ford issued recall notices for its Puma, Everest, EcoSport and Ranger models. In the case of the Ranger, the concern was applicable to 3.0 V6 diesel derivative built between June 2022 and March 2025. The same engine is available in the Everest. According to Ford, the left-side camshaft sprocket may fracture, causing the engine to stall without warning. The manufacturer confirmed 1,050 units were affected in Southern Africa, including Botswana, Swaziland and Namibia. In the Amarok range, the 3.0 V6 diesel engine derivative is available in Style, Panamericana and Aventura model grades, priced from R1,076,500 to R1,252,200.
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Volkswagen South Africa tight-lipped over Amarok recall query
Volkswagen Group Africa cannot confirm if a recent safety recall for the Ford Ranger applies to its related Amarok. The Amarok shares its mechanical make-up with the Ranger and the two vehicles are built at Ford's Silverton manufacturing facility in Tshwane, using engines produced at the blue oval's plant in Gqeberha. Last week Ford issued recall notices for its Puma, Everest, EcoSport and Ranger models. In the case of the Ranger, the concern was applicable to 3.0 V6 diesel derivative built between June 2022 and March 2025. The same engine is available in the Everest. According to Ford, the left-side camshaft sprocket may fracture, causing the engine to stall without warning. The manufacturer confirmed 1,050 units were affected in Southern Africa, including Botswana, Swaziland and Namibia. In the Amarok range, the 3.0 V6 diesel engine derivative is available in Style, Panamericana and Aventura model grades, priced from R1,076,500 to R1,252,200. The German manufacturer could not confirm if the issue was shared. According to VW media and PR manager Tebogo Losaba the company does not respond to product recall queries and could not comment on the Ford Ranger matter. Earlier this year the automaker issued recall notices for its Golf 8 GTI and R and the current Polo sedan over concerns relating to the functioning of safety belts. This affected 159 Golf units and 253 Polo sedan units. This year it also recalled 142 Polo units and eight Taigo models for a faulty component in the gas generator of the passenger airbag module. The notices affecting the Golf, Polo sedan, Polo hatchback and Taigo were shared by the National Consumer Commission. Separately, the manufacturer has an ongoing campaign in effect to address faulty Takata airbag modules, an issue that has troubled automakers who used the beleaguered supplier. Owners are able to see if their vehicles are affected through a VIN checker on the VW local website. We approached three VW franchise dealerships in the Johannesburg area to enquire about the prospect of the 3.0 V6 diesel engine's camshaft sprocket failure and whether there were campaigns in effect for the Amarok.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
PODCAST: 222kW Amarok interesting addition to bakkie game
A whole host of more powerful double cabs has turned the local bakkie scene upside down. It has been reported that the petrol powered 222kW Volkswagen Amarok will finally be offered in South Africa before year-end. Powered by a 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbo petrol engine, the double cab derivative will be the most powerful bakkie in the Amarok stable. The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel mill, that is offered in three models and produces 184kW of power and 600Nm of torque, currently holds that distinction. Local petrol bakkies are few and far between, with the 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo Ford Ranger Raptor and naturally aspirated 2.7-litre Toyota Hilux the most popular. 222kW Amarok makes a Pitstop In this week's episode of The Citizen Motoring Pitstop podcast, we discuss what the 222kW will bring to the table. And where it will fit into the overall local bakkie picture. The timing of the 222kW/452Nm Amarok's introduction could have been a lot better. It would have made more sense to introduce the model when Volkswagen got into bed with Ford as production partner. The previous generation's 190kW 3.0-litre turbodiesel model was most powerful bakkie in South Africa. A 222kW model at the time of launch in 2023 would have been an enticing successor. But the bakkie power game has changed dramatically since then. The 292kW Raptor raised the stakes, between a raft of new energy Chinese bakkies blew it out of the water. Like the 320kW BYD Shark plug-in hybrid that has dethroned the Ford Ranger Raptor as the fastest local bakkie. ALSO READ: Report: Petrol engine Volkswagen Amarok here before year-end Petrol engine imported Unlike the Struandale-made 2.0-litre single and bi-turbo and 3.0-litre turbodiesel engines Ford fits to the Ranger and Amarok in Silverton, the 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine is imported. Ford combines this mill with an electric motor and battery in the plug-in Ranger, which is only for export markets. The 222kW Amarok, which is offered only in Aventura guise in Australia, has a 10-speed automatic gearbox.
TimesLIVE
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Entry-level VW Amarok mixes business with pleasure
In a leisure double-cab market increasingly populated by luxury bakkies priced at more than R1m, there is a subsegment of models that offer a mix of business and leisure for less than R700,000. Volkswagen's base Amarok double cab sells for R669,700 and comes with a black front bumper instead of colour-coded to the body as in upper spec versions. It has cloth seats in place of leather, and the floor has a hard-wearing rubber covering rather than carpets. It lacks features such as lane-keeping assist, keyless operation and electrically adjustable seats as found in upper end Amaroks, but overall it's a satisfying level of gadgets that doesn't leave you feeling shortchanged. The base Amarok double cab avoids feeling like a down spec workhorse and comes with a decent array of comforts to serve as a family leisure vehicle. The manually adjusted, cloth-covered seats are comfortable and have good side support, while the steering column adjusts for height and reach to cater for different size drivers. The infotainment system, while offering a smaller 10' screen than the 12' one in higher spec Amarok variants, is large and offers modern conveniences such as wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Most functions are touchscreen controlled, with physical buttons reduced to a minimum inside the uncluttered cabin. It is all relatively user-friendly except for the finicky icon-activated aircon and ventilation controls. For a frequently used function such as setting the cabin climate, I would prefer old-fashioned knobs and buttons. Other standard features in the most affordable Amarok double cab include a digital instrument panel, cruise control, trip computer, four-speaker audio system, USB charging ports, reversing camera and remote central locking. It has rain-sensing wipers and automatic LED headlights. Safety spec is also comprehensive with seven airbags, ABS brakes and stability control. With only rear-wheel drive, the bakkie isn't suited to hardcore off-roading, though its elevated 237mm ground clearance and rear diff lock provide some adventure driving capability. It is a practical workhorse with an above average 1,125kg payload capacity, a standard tow hitch and a braked towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes. It has a full-sized steel spare wheel. The next model up is the Amarok Life automatic at R704,700, which adds two pedal convenience and extra features such as front park distance control, LED fog lamps, lumbar support adjustment for the front seats and a lockable tailgate via the remote central locking system (in the base Amarok the tailgate must be separately locked). With outputs of 125kW and 405Nm, the entry level Amarok double cab has enough gusto for easy cruising and overtaking. The manual bakkie lacks the two pedal convenience of an auto, particularly in heavy traffic. The light clutch and positive shifting lever take some of the chore out of driving, however. A benefit of the manual transmission is that it allows you to rev past the diesel engine's slight turbo lag in a standing start. There are driving modes for Eco, Normal and Slippery. With a fuel tank capacity of 80 l, the test vehicle averaged a fairly frugal 8.5 l /100km, though VW quotes an official 6.9 l figure. It's a refined bakkie that cruises without unpleasant acoustic intrusions, with engine and wind noise well suppressed. It rides comfortably on high-profile 17' tyres even with no load in the back. Priced at R669,700, including a five-year/150,000km warranty and five-year/100,000km maintenance plan, the baseline Amarok offers a good combo of workhorse and leisure capability at a lower price point in VW's double cab range, albeit at a premium over most rivals in the segment. It offers most of the important comforts while cutting out expensive frills and tops it off with good performance, decent fuel economy and satisfying refinement. THE COMPETITION Nissan Navara 2.5 DDTi double cab SE Plus manual, 120kW/403Nm — R595,000 JAC T9 2.0 CTI double cab Super Lux auto, 125kW/410Nm — R599,900 Foton Tunland G7 2.0 TD double cab Limited 4x4, 120kW/390Nm - R599,900 GWM P300 2.4T double cab LT auto, 135kW/480Nm — R599,900 Toyota Hilux 2.4 GD-6 double cab Raider manual, 110kW/400Nm — R612,100 Ford Ranger 2.0 SiT double cab XL manual, 125kW/405Nm — R620,000 Isuzu D-Max 1.9 TD double cab LS X-Rider manual, 110kW/350Nm — R652,500 Peugeot Landtrek 1.9 TD double cab Allure, 110kW/350Nm — R653,900 Mitsubishi Triton 2.4 DI-D double cab GLS auto, 135kW/430Nm — R679,900
The Herald
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
More powerful VW Amarok and Golf GTI to make SA debut soon
The new Amarok will not be the only topic at VW's stand, though. With the launch of the new Tayron SUV imminent, the replacement of the seven-seat Tiguan Allspace will be available for viewing, including the new Crafter commercial range to be launched in September. VWSA says visitors to its stand will also be treated to the reveal of another exciting new model, the facelifted Mk8 Golf GTI, colloquially known as the 8.5. The updated 195kW GTI we drove in Wolfsburg, Germany, a few months ago was not part of the market introduction of the new enhancements earlier in the year, with only the 1.4 TSI models going on sale.
