Moments after the reveal of the 190kW Mercedes-Benz X-Class V6, a more powerful Volkswagen Amarok V6 has arrived.

JUST MOMENTS AFTER the local launch of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class, and less than a month after Merc revealed its 190kW/550Nm X-Class V6, Volkswagen has announced its more-power Amarok V6. The tweaked engine in the Amarok V6 thumps out 190kW which matches the X-Class V6, but its torque of 580Nm is more. More than that, it offers an overboost function which sees power peak at 200kW, making this thing the most powerful production ute.

The more-power Amarok V6, of course, gets permanent 4Motion all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Volkswagen commercial vehicles said the new 190kW Amarok V6 would be available from June, and it’s expected to arrive here in the third-quarter of this year (2018).

In Europe, a special-edition is being launched, called the Aventura which offers contrasting gloss black panels on the outside, Nappa leather interior and 20-inch alloys, among other bits and bobs.

UPDATED: Volkswagen Australia followed the international announcement with a short statement confirming the more-power Amarok would be available in Australia later this year. No pricing or further specifications were announced.

Australia remains the biggest export market in the world for the go-anywhere Volkswagen ute, said Volkswagen Group Australia Director of Commercial Vehicles Carlos Santos.

“As we’ve promised before, we have no intention of giving up the mantle of the most powerful ute in its class and are looking to offer the upgraded 200kW Amarok V6 later in the year.

“Amarok continues to be a huge success story for Volkswagen in Australia, winning fans in Birdsville and boardrooms alike.”

Question: Is this more-power Amarok more appealing than the X-Class V6?