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Here' s Your Chance To Own A Volkswagen Amarok
Dec. 30, 2021 8:41 AM ET by Gerhard Horn Trucks / 11 Comments It's better than a Ford Ranger. For some odd reason, VW never sold the first-generation Amarok in the US, but it appears as if we'll be getting the all-new Ranger-based model. If, however, you are obsessed with the idea of owning an Amarok, you can now buy one for $44,900 from Garage Kept Motors. It's a 2017 pre-facelift model that somehow made it into the USA from Mexico legally as an agricultural vehicle. This example has 30,000 miles on the clock and is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine. The very same engine that triggered Dieselgate and many headaches at VW's headquarters in Germany. Your loyal correspondent has a lot of experience with the VW Amarok, most notably the high-output turbocharged V6 diesel model. The main thing you need to know is that it was utterly overengineered. Garage Kept Motors Garage Kept Motors Garage Kept Motors Garage Kept Motors VW knew it was missing out on a big slice of the compact pickup pie in third-world countries, where the Hilux and Ford Ranger usually top sales. To compete with these well-respected pickups, it needed something special. Unfortunately, the Amarok was ahead of its time when it was launched in 2010. Customers scoffed at its tiny turbocharged engine, which provided more power than both the Ranger and Hilux. It didn't matter, however. The Hilux had a 3.0-liter engine, and the Ranger a 3.2-liter unit. Both were bigger and therefore better. Still, the Amarok built a small but loyal following. Even though it was supposed to be a truck, it was a VW first and foremost. That meant unrivaled interior quality (even though there are some plastic bits) and the kind of ride refinement we never thought you could achieve using a basic leaf spring suspension. Garage Kept Motors Garage Kept Motors Garage Kept Motors Garage Kept Motors Is it worth the premium over a new Ranger? Yes, for sure. It rides better and is more exclusive than a Ford GT. You don't get a modern touchscreen interface, but the refinement will more than make up for it. VW moved on to a permanent 4WD system in the Amarok's later years, but this model still has an old-school part-time 4WD system with low range. It's as good as any other truck in the same class off-road. This particular example has aftermarket 17-inch alloys in a black finish, wrapped with Goodyear DuraTrac 265/65 tires. One of the main concerns current Amarok owners have is that something will be lost when Ford builds it. While the new Amarok will be more accessible, it won't have the same solid overengineered feeling the current model has. Get this one while you can. Garage Kept Motors Garage Kept Motors Garage Kept Motors Join The Discussion
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Ford Ranger Gerhard Horn Senior Editor Gerhard knew from a young age that he wanted to be an automotive journalist. He completely disappointed his parents by completing degrees in communication and English, as well as diplomas in graphic design and film and art appreciation. He later interned at various automotive publications, before landing a permanent position at a newspaper. He became the editor within two years, after which he landed a job as the deputy editor at a national publication, where he spent eight years traveling the world, driving, and writing. In his current role as senior editor, he writes news, reviews, scripts, and opinion pieces. When he’s not supposed to be working, you’ll probably find him working. When he’s forced to take a break, you’ll find him at the movies, or behind the wheel of a ‘92 NA Miata called Kimiko. Contact Gerhard @GrootScreenGerhard LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top