V6-powered Volkswagen Amarok unveiled

After the dieselgate emissions scandal, it's perverse that Volkswagen has decided to replace the Amarok pick-up's 2.0 litre four-cylinder diesel engine with a 3.0 litre V6 unit. Extra displacement is always going to create a perception of more pollution.

Due to arrive at UK dealers before the end of this year, the new turbocharged diesel motor will be offered in three output and transmission combinations:

• 160 bhp (120 kW / 163 PS) with a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive
• 201 bhp (150 kW / 204 PS) with a manual gearbox and 4Motion part-time all-wheel drive
• 221 bhp (165 kW / 224 PS) with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, permanent all-wheel drive and a Torsen differential

All are Euro 6-compliant. Although official performance and efficiency figures have yet to be revealed, Volkswagen expects the most powerful option to achieve 37.1 mpg (7.6 l/100km) on the combined cycle while pumping out 199 g/km of CO2. Given the firm's recent fiasco, nitrogen oxide levels surely deserve some scrutiny too.

To coincide with the V6's arrival, the Amarok is also getting a subtly redesigned front end, a new dashboard and upgraded seats. Furthermore, an increased towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes is promised for some variants.

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