The partnership between Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Walkinshaw is charging ahead, and this time it’s bringing even more firepower to Australia’s already competitive dual-cab market. After the first-generation Walkinshaw-fettled Amarok proved to be an absolute ripper – shifting 2,600 units in just a couple of years, VW’s decided to double down on the formula. And honestly? You’d be mad not to when you’ve struck gold like that.
The Second Coming of Performance Ute Excellence
Here’s what we know so far: Walkinshaw and Volkswagen have locked in the design for the next-generation performance Amarok, with testing ramping up throughout 2025 ahead of an early 2026 launch. Ryan Walkinshaw, CEO of the legendary tuning house, confirmed the news with a shadowy teaser image that reveals some seriously aggressive styling cues – think unique grille patterns, an LED light bar spanning the headlights, sailplane additions, wider wheel arches, and fresh alloy wheels.
“The plan is to go even further than we went before,” Walkinshaw stated, which is the kind of promise that gets Australian ute enthusiasts genuinely excited. The catch? Both companies are playing their cards close to the chest when it comes to pricing, full specifications, and exact performance figures.
What Powers This Beast?
While everyone was hoping for the 292kW/583Nm 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 from the Ford Ranger (remember, the current Amarok shares its platform with Ford’s bestseller), that option’s been ruled out. Instead, expect the Walkinshaw Amarok to retain either the 184kW/600Nm V6 diesel or the 222kW/452Nm four-cylinder turbo-petrol found in the top-spec Aventura variant.
The original W580 – which became a cult favourite among Australian ute buyers – squeezed 200kW and 580Nm from its tuned 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. That was a 10kW bump over the standard engine, and it made the thing properly quick for a dual-cab.
More Than Just Stickers and Stripes
What separates a genuine Walkinshaw creation from your garden-variety appearance package? Substance. The previous W580 received comprehensive suspension upgrades courtesy of MTV twin-tube dampers front and rear, underbody protection worthy of Australia’s rough terrain, heavy-duty rock sliders, and an exhaust tune that gave it a proper grunt. The off-road-focused W580X variant took things further with a suspension lift and off-road tuning, while the W580S was the road-oriented sibling wearing 20-inch alloys and sportier suspension settings.
Walkinshaw’s approach has always been about understanding the Volkswagen brand ethos – subtle performance enhancements rather than over-the-top boy-racer aesthetics. As a VW spokesperson eloquently put it: “They really get Volkswagen design being more subtle, not lairy. They understand the brand, which is really important. It’s not going to be an over-the-top model”.
The Amarok by the Numbers
Let’s talk about what makes the current Amarok such a compelling platform for Walkinshaw’s magic. The second-generation Amarok isn’t messing around when it comes to capability.
Towing and Payload: Every Amarok variant can haul a 3,500kg braked trailer, with payloads reaching up to 974kg depending on configuration. What really sets it apart from most competitors is the impressive gross combined mass (GCM) of 6,400kg for V6 models and 6,350kg for four-cylinder versions. This means you can actually tow that 3,500kg caravan while carrying passengers and gear without exceeding legal weight limits – something most rivals struggle with.
Engine Options: The current Amarok lineup offers three V6 diesel configurations. The entry-level TDI500 produces 165kW at 3,250-4,500rpm and 500Nm at 1,250-3,000rpm. Step up to the TDI550 and you’re still at 165kW but with 550Nm between 1,500-2,500rpm. The flagship TDI580 cranks out 190kW at 3,250-4,500rpm and 580Nm between 1,400-3,000rpm, with a temporary overboost function that bumps power to 200kW for approximately 10 seconds under the right conditions.
Dimensions: At 5,254mm long, 1,954mm wide (2,228mm with mirrors), and 1,834-1,878mm tall depending on variant, the Amarok is properly sized. The 3,095mm wheelbase provides excellent stability, while 192mm of ground clearance ensures you won’t be scraping on the rough stuff. The cargo bed measures 1,620mm long and 1,222mm wide between the wheel arches – enough to fit a Euro pallet crosswise.
Market Performance and Future Outlook
Despite being based on the bestselling Ford Ranger platform, the Amarok plays second fiddle in Australian sales figures. In 2024, Volkswagen shifted 8,400 Amaroks locally compared to the Ranger’s dominant 57,960 units. The Amarok finished eighth in the 4WD light commercial segment behind heavyweights like the Toyota Hilux (45,839 units) and Isuzu D-Max (24,031 units).
But here’s the interesting bit: Amarok sales surged 97% year-to-date through September 2024, reaching 6,008 units – the largest percentage gain in Volkswagen’s entire Australian lineup besides the Polo. That momentum suggests there’s genuine appetite for premium utes with European flair, even if they carry a higher price tag than Japanese competitors.
The Walkinshaw Difference
What makes this partnership particularly special is Walkinshaw’s deep-rooted connection to Australian motorsport and performance engineering. This is the same outfit synonymous with HSV and touring car dominance. They’ve recently expanded their portfolio beyond Volkswagen, launching the Isuzu D-MAX Blade as a flagship model exclusive to Australia, with rumours swirling about a potential MU-X Blade in the pipeline.
The beauty of the Walkinshaw approach lies in the details – re-mapped part-throttle engine delivery, optimised transmission shift points developed in Victoria’s alpine regions, and crucially, maintaining factory fuel economy and emissions compliance. When they tuned the previous-generation Amarok up to 680Nm with their power-up package, 0-100km/h times dropped from 8.5 to 7.8 seconds without compromising reliability or driveability.
What This Means for Aussie Ute Buyers
The continuation of the Volkswagen-Walkinshaw partnership signals growing confidence in the premium ute segment. While Ford Rangers and Toyota Hiluxes will always dominate the fleet and tradie market through sheer volume and dealer networks, there’s clearly room for something more refined, more European, more… special.
With the design locked in and testing underway, the second-generation Walkinshaw Amarok represents more than just another variant in an already crowded market. It’s proof that Australian buyers will pay extra for genuine engineering improvements, thoughtful design, and the kind of performance credibility that only comes from decades of motorsport pedigree.
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