Volkswagen continues inscrutable naming practice with new Amarok pickup
2008 Volkswagen Concept Pickup - Click above for a high-res gallery
Remember when Volkswagen just named their cars for different winds? Scirocco, Jetta, Corrado, Santana – they all had a certain clean, sweeping quality about them, even if it wasn't immediately clear where the names came from. More recently, however, VW has gone further afield, invoking cryptic names like Touareg (a nomadic Saharan tribe) and Tiguan (Tiger + Iguana). Add this to the list: Amarok.
That's the official name for VW's forthcoming overseas market pickup truck. According to the automaker's press release, Amarok means "wolf" in the language of the hearty, frigid-dwelling Inuit. Alternatively, VW says the appelation "translates into 'he loves stones' in the languages spoken in South America." We'll have to take their word for it, but we can certainly see some sort of stoning at work here.
For its part, Volkswagen actually hasn't unveiled the production version of the Amarok yet, although it did display the fetching concept version (labeled simply as 'Concept Pickup') seen here at last September's IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany, and a prototype example was even spotted running around the Nürburgring in April.
In any case, VW promises the Amarok will launch as a double-cab, four-wheel drive pickup, with a smaller single-cab variant to follow. Built in Argentina, the diesel pickup will hit South America early next year, with Central America coming on stream in the spring, followed by Russia, Europe, Africa, and Australia. As expected, North America isn't in the model's plans at this time. Check out the full press release after the jump.
Gallery: Volkswagen Concept Pickup
[Source: Volkswagen]
PRESS RELEASE:
4 June 2009
VOLKSWAGEN COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ANNOUNCES NAME OF NEW PICKUP
The new Volkswagen pickup, showcased as a concept last year and due to be launched in Europe in 2010, is to be called the Amarok.
The new name means 'wolf' in the language of the Inuit, one of the Eskimo people who live in northern Canada and Greenland who highly regard the wolf as king of the wilderness and a figure of robustness, endurance and superiority. It translates into 'he loves stones' in the languages spoken in South America.
'This name fits the characteristics of our pickup perfectly, which will set new standards in its class,' says Stephan Schaller, CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. 'We took great care selecting this name, which can be used globally and is meant to invoke positive associations in all relevant international markets. The Amarok is a powerful and robust vehicle with great stamina – just like the wolf,' he continued.
Developed from scratch, the Amarok will be launched as a double-cab pickup with four-wheel drive, while a single-cab version will be introduced later. It will be powered by Volkswagen's powerful yet efficient, next generation common rail turbo diesel engines which will achieve class leading fuel consumption and emissions.
The Amarok is an important new model in the strategic growth plans for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and will be produced at its Pacheco plant near Buenos Aires in Argentina. It will be launched first in South America in early 2010, followed by Central America in Spring 2010, then Russia and Europe in the summer, as well as Africa and Australia. Prices, specifications and on-sale dates for the UK will be announced next year.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
homunculus 10:58AM (6/04/2009)
it amarok. it strong truck.
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Jim 11:50AM (6/04/2009)
this is even funnier if it's read in a stereotypically over-the-top Russian accent.
John Johnson 11:01AM (6/04/2009)
Releasing a pickup in Europe but not in the US? Who the hell decided on that move?
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zamafir 11:04AM (6/04/2009)
The same people that have lead VW to massive profits last quarter. People don't associate VW with SUVs, the t-reg flopped. People don't associate VW with luxury cars, the phaeton flopped. People don't associate VW with pickup trucks, the 3 caddie nuts aside, so vw's not going to flop. I've said this countless times, The US is not VW's biggest, most profitable, or priority market. They're selling this truck where it will sell and make money.
Kumar 12:24PM (6/04/2009)
Probably so, but it looks like it could find a nice niche in the small-midsize pickup market, if anyone would consider a VW pickup. I remember when Toyota came on the scene...it took years before they started selling in good numbers, so VW would face similar hurdles.
The only way something like this could succeed is if it shared a huge percentage of the internals with the Tiguan to reduce costs. Oh wait, the Tiguan tdi for the US was cancelled, so nevermind.
AZZO45b 1:09PM (6/04/2009)
The same people who create a fine looking pick-up concept yet showcased a logo they bought from that $50 logo website on that same vehicle!
If I was a VW designer I'd be outraged they put such a generic POS onto my well executed concept truck (takes the focus off the exterior styling IMO). Hey VW, in-house Graphic Designers are cheaper than Industrial Designers (& they would give you a "SAR" logo that wouldn't distract from the exterior elements)!!!
John Johnson 1:12PM (6/04/2009)
I have to say, I think the biggest problem for them would be being price competitive against the F150 and such. If this had a V6 TDI, I could see it developing a market, but it'd have to stay under the $25k price point, which I don't see happening.
zamafir 1:50PM (6/04/2009)
@John - exactly, which returns us to my discussion about the ability to make it pen out. that V6 TDI would be amazing, but VW doesn't sell it in anything in North America under 40k.
sparrk 4:40AM (6/05/2009)
i think it will be a success in Europe since lately people are buying pick-up trucks, especially in Eastern Europe, most of them are Toyota and Mitsubishi, but i have never seen a Ford pick-up truck here.
Zerbe 11:04AM (6/04/2009)
The US never gets any of the good vehicles. I'd buy a compact truck with a diesel in it.
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BoxerFanatic 11:20AM (6/04/2009)
Agreed.
I have criticized VW for talking about putting a diesel in their BlueSport mid-engined concept... as a diesel is a bit at odds with the purpose of a sports car.
But a modest/moderate size diesel in a light truck makes a LOT of sense, and actually might be in some ways preferable.
Plus, the tool rack in the tail gate is a cool trick.
I think Subaru should do something like this with Forester, with H6 or Turbo Diesel Boxer power optional...
Back-half the body to a little bed like that, with ingenious integral storage, something like RamBox, and the tools in the tailgate. Mid-gate into the cabin with folding rear seats, for longer cargo... (GM is broke... licensing the mid-gate tech would probably be quite cheap, if such an arrangement would even be necessary...)
Subaru, VW, whomever... someone should bring a nice Mini-SUT with AWD to market again, and done right. Some folks in town have uses for it, but don't need full-size trucks, merely shrunken versions like Colorado, or dinosaurs like Ranger. More the automotive equivalent to the leatherman or swiss army knife, than the automotive equivalent to a full, and heavy tool belt.
Kumar 12:31PM (6/04/2009)
I was hoping that, if Chrysler survives, we'd see a 4 door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited pickup version.
They had a concept wrangler JT pickep that looked nice, but add another 2 doors and it would be tempting, even if the mpg were horrible and the ride harsh. ;)
Jim 12:31PM (6/04/2009)
"I'd buy a compact truck with a diesel in it."
you would, but how can you guarantee that enough other people would to make it worth VW's while to federalize/EPA it?
Jimbo 12:35PM (6/04/2009)
If it was the only engine option, there would be plenty of buyers. The VW diesel is so good that there's really no reason to offer a gasoline version.
montoym 7:50PM (6/04/2009)
quote from jim:
- "you would, but how can you guarantee that enough other people would to make it worth VW's while to federalize/EPA it?" -
The 2.0L TDI is already Federalized due to the Jetta. It might need to be redone though since it may require urea like the 2.0L would if it makes it into the Tiguan. The V6 TDI is also Federalized since it is used in the Touareg and Q7 currently and likely more models as well.
Federalizing the engines is not the problem, I don't think.
alfaBAT9 11:06AM (6/04/2009)
They've come a long way..
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-SRYPec0ur0/SRLNLo2pX0I/AAAAAAAAEX0/7_n9cYedz2s/s320/vw-rabbit-pickup-470-1008-1.jpg
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IOMTT 11:09AM (6/04/2009)
Whatever it is called I like it. Not quite as cool as a 60's VW pickup though.
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VW GTi 3:57PM (6/04/2009)
Could you imagine a modern day Rabbit / Golf Pickup Truck
montoym 6:23PM (6/04/2009)
No need to imagine, they build them for other markets.
http://www.vwvortex.com/gallery/albums//Events/Enthusiast/Dubs%20Along%20The%20Rockies/2008/038.jpg
http://www.vwvortex.com/gallery/albums//Events/Enthusiast/Dubs%20Along%20The%20Rockies/2008/037.jpg
That one was from Mexico, I've seen it a few times.
I'd rock one if they sold them here, especially with a TDI.
John P. 11:14AM (6/04/2009)
That's a great looking vehicle. It looks like a worthy competitor to the Ford Sport Trac Adrenaline. The Ford looks a bit nicer to me though.
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