VW Amarok with Mitsubishi disguise, and Dakar 2010

Was reading an article by MTM regarding the Persona facelift, nothing that is particularly surprising but you can read it here. What I would like to draw readers attention to however, is regarding author Chip's comments that taping up pre-production vehicles will only attract unnecessary attention. So one of his suggestion is to put on badge of other vehicle makes as a disguise. Well, VW did exactly that. Look at the photo below of the VW Amarok, during a media preview with pre-production Amaroks, in Argentina - the location of the Amarok production hub. 

Notice how the "Mitsubishi" logo are twisted around in all the vehicles. You may read the initial driving impression here, and also further information here. Initial impressions from the press have been overwhelmingly positive. But how well or how fast will the market accept this newcomer is left to be seen. The reputation that the Hilux currently commands is staggering and it's position as the king of trucks will not be toppled so easily overnight by some new comer. Nevermind the fact that many experienced off-roaders and hardcore truck users will tell you that the current Hilux is too hyped up, an Isuzu D-Max or even the Ford Ranger is just as capable, if not more. While a Mitsubishi Triton is a far more comfortable place to be in if you spend a significant amount of time on tarmac roads. But like so many other things, it is the reputation the precedes it. And the Hilux has over 40 years of history behind the name. I have always told people that the Hilux is the oldest model in its segment now, and it has one of the weakest engines, but it still commands pole position in the sales charts, from Australia to Thailand to Malaysia. Some reputation huh.

Among the less publicised features in the Amarok is a 12V-DC power outlet at the top of the dashboard. Finally! Someone realised that it is really annoying to have wires dangling all over the dash and air-con vents whenever the driver wishes to use a portable sat-nav GPS unit. Also, the Amarok's antennas are integrated into the side mirrors. Brilliant! No more winding down your windows to retract the roof mounted antenna whenever you drive into tight parking complexes. The rumoured DSG gearbox is not expected to make it into production, due to demands of low-speed off-road / crawl use (4x4 Low mode) and heavy loads, a 6-speed manual is more durable. Automatic transmission will be available eventually but no timeline is given.  

The first public showing of the Amarok will be in Jan-1 2010, in the Dakar Rally (despite its name, is actually run in South America as the original route in Africa is rife with bandits now), an event which VW is the official vehicle supplier. 5 VW Race Touaregs will be competing, and these competition vehicles will be supported by five service trucks, three equipment trucks and two race trucks. 20 Amaroks will be used by the race organizer A.S.O, while another 15 will be used by the press and VW Motorsports factory team staffs. Another 6 VW Multivan Panamericana will also be used to transport the factory team staffs. So you can imagine what a logistical and customs clearance headache it is to organize the event. The vehicles are already on their way to Buenos Aires in Argentina and is expected to arrive by 28-Dec. No Christmas for VW Motorsports. Santa's coming on a bright blue truck I guess.


The Panamericana is a jumped up version of the Multivan (Transporter in some markets) fitted with a higher ride height, all-terrain tires, 4MOTION 4WD and a mechanical differential lock. It is not very widely available outside Europe. Not even the camper-van / bush mobile mad Aussies get it in their market. Probably have to do with RHD configuration / homologation cost.


Related link :
Amarok Pick-up Teaser Site