VW’s V6 and four-pot dual-cab Amarok will now be offered with a longer wheelbase, fitting up to a 2.2m tub on the back.

VOLKSWAGEN WILL INTRODUCE two new extended wheelbase variants of the Amarok ute into Australian showrooms next year.

Badged XL and XXL, the new variants extend the ute by 310 and 650mm respectively, maxing the factory bodystyle tub out to about 2.2m long; no specific details have been released yet, though the longer Amarok models have already been available in Europe for some time via Netherland vehicle fabricator Veth.

VW Australia is now in the final stages of launching a partnership with Adelaide engineering group Adaptive Manufacturing which will fabricate local models to the same Veth specifications as long-wheelbase Amaroks in Europe. This includes individual retuning of the ECU to new calibrations that account for the longer wheelbase, which effects on and off-road traction and stability control settings.

Structural modifications are made by cutting and extending the chassis and tub, and the suspension and rear locking differential are unaffected by the changes. Customers can elect to have both the chassis and tub extended, or just the chassis if using an aftermarket package such as sliding a camper over the rails. VW backs the models with its full five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

Customers will be able to equip the XL or XXL extension to any variant Amarok – from four-cylinder versions up to the top-spec 200kW V6 diesel turbo 580 Highline. All of those are currently equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but a cut-price V6 manual will arrive next year and is expected to be available in XL and XXL bodies.

An official announcement of pricing and availability is pending, however, as Practical Motoring understands, the cost for the XL with extended tub will cost around $15,000 while the chassis-only extension is more affordable. Orders will open next year.

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