Volkswagen re-invents the dual-cab Amarok

Volkswagen has answered the prayers of tradies and adventurers around Australia with the release of factory-approved extra-long and extra-extra-long versions of its Amarok dual-cab ute.

The VW Amarok XL style-side dual-cab ute offers single-cab tray length with the flexibility of five seats, while the XXL takes the notion even further.

An extra body section is added to the centre of the ute, which retains its factory rear leaf springs but scores a longer propshaft, as well as new ancillaries like wiring and brake lines to suit.

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The Amarok's wheelbase will jump from a base figure 3095mm for the dual-cab to 3405mm (XL) or 3745mm (XL), while its overall length has increased from 5254mm to 5564mm (XL) or 5904mm (XXL).

While the width of the style-side tray remains the same, the 1555mm length jumps to either 1865mm (XL) or 2205mm (XXL).

The Amarok extended ute is built by Adelaide-based Adaptive Manufacturing, which has been tasked to take on the conversion locally. Veth Automotive in the Netherlands designed the original conversion, which sees the chassis lengthened by 310mm for the XL and 650mm for the XXL.

While the Amarok XL and XXL will be sold as style-side utes, both can be supplied as a cab-chassis version to enable the addition of a steel tray, offering an enticing base for slide-on campers and other adventure conversions.

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Its braked towing capacity of 3500kg is unaffected, but payload figures will decrease slightly in response to the additional weight of the conversion.

The long Amaroks can be built from any of the cars in the current range, including those powered by the smaller four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.

While VW has recently announced a manual option for its 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine, the pair will only be offered in eight-speed automatic guise.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but it’s suggested that it will cost somewhere near $15,000 on top of the price of the car.

Volkswagen has left no stone unturned on this Amarok conversion, going as far as to test and reprogram the electronic stability control (ESC) to suit the longer wheelbase vehicle.

Volkswagen says it will continue to source its conversions from Australian suppliers, while service and repair will be available at its network of more than 100 dealers nationwide.

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Both conversions are covered under the same five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty as the base vehicle.

Volkswagen Group Australia’s (VGA) National Conversion Manager Andrew Hester says approved converters meet rigid factory criteria and back the standard five-year warranty.

“VGA has a breadth of capability it has never possessed and a range unrivalled elsewhere,” Hester said.

“The four top-to-tail solutions that you see here are very much the tip of the iceberg. Volkswagen and its partners can engineer literally dozens of bespoke variants.”

Does the idea of an elongated Amarok interest you? Let us know below!