PODCAST: 222kW Amarok interesting addition to bakkie game
It has been reported that the petrol powered 222kW Volkswagen Amarok will finally be offered in South Africa before year-end.
Powered by a 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbo petrol engine, the double cab derivative will be the most powerful bakkie in the Amarok stable. The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel mill, that is offered in three models and produces 184kW of power and 600Nm of torque, currently holds that distinction.
Local petrol bakkies are few and far between, with the 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo Ford Ranger Raptor and naturally aspirated 2.7-litre Toyota Hilux the most popular.
222kW Amarok makes a Pitstop
In this week's episode of The Citizen Motoring Pitstop podcast, we discuss what the 222kW will bring to the table. And where it will fit into the overall local bakkie picture.
The timing of the 222kW/452Nm Amarok's introduction could have been a lot better. It would have made more sense to introduce the model when Volkswagen got into bed with Ford as production partner. The previous generation's 190kW 3.0-litre turbodiesel model was most powerful bakkie in South Africa. A 222kW model at the time of launch in 2023 would have been an enticing successor.
But the bakkie power game has changed dramatically since then. The 292kW Raptor raised the stakes, between a raft of new energy Chinese bakkies blew it out of the water. Like the 320kW BYD Shark plug-in hybrid that has dethroned the Ford Ranger Raptor as the fastest local bakkie.
ALSO READ: Report: Petrol engine Volkswagen Amarok here before year-end
Petrol engine imported
Unlike the Struandale-made 2.0-litre single and bi-turbo and 3.0-litre turbodiesel engines Ford fits to the Ranger and Amarok in Silverton, the 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine is imported. Ford combines this mill with an electric motor and battery in the plug-in Ranger, which is only for export markets.
The 222kW Amarok, which is offered only in Aventura guise in Australia, has a 10-speed automatic gearbox.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mail & Guardian
3 days ago
- Mail & Guardian
Ford Ranger Wildtrak X strikes the perfect balance between refinement and ruggedness
Rugged and stylish: The Ford Wildtrak X Ford continues to have massive success in South Africa in terms of car sales. In June, it sold over 3 000 vehicles and the Ranger made up 2 318 of those sales. Whether it is the 4×2 or 4×4 Ranger, South Africans love these bakkies. In fact, I'm sure we've all been in a position where a Ford Ranger has tailed our backside and forced us to move into a slower lane on the highway. I had the privilege of being one of those guys for a week. The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X arrived in my driveway with its striking looks, capable roof rails and subtle, but essential, cyber-orange accent under the grille. It is by far the most stylish Ranger of all. There's just something about a Wildtrak that gives it a distinctive identity. It could be the black lettering across the front and back or the black oval Ford badges — or even the aluminium side steps. It gives off a very stylish, but rugged, look that makes it feel like more than a bakkie or a workhorse. That's just the exterior. The interior adds to it. There are elements, like the suede material that adorns the glovebox, instrument cluster hood and door trim, that emphasises that the car is not afraid to get dirty and reiterates the ruggedness of the vehicle. You even have a built-in 400W/240v inverter which can be accessed from the rear of the centre console, as well as from the auxiliary power points in the load compartment. You could essentially connect your toaster if you were ever out camping. But, on the other hand, the very attractive portrait-oriented 12-inch touchscreen, the comfortable leather seats that embrace the cyber-orange stitching and features such as wireless charging bring a sense of refinement into the cabin. You don't need to drive the vehicle to actually know what it's about. But when you do drive it, it just confirms that feeling. The Ranger Wildtrak X is powered by a 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine that produces 154kW of power and 500Nm of torque, which is paired to a surprisingly smooth 10-speed automatic gearbox. It is the first Ranger 2.0L Bi-Turbo model to be available with Ford's on-demand four-wheel drive system that offers four modes. It can be driven in 4A (automatic) on high-traction surfaces, with the system continuously distributing power between the front and rear axles for optimum performance in all on-road conditions. The driver can also select 2H for on-road driving, as well as four-wheel drive high-range (4H) and low-range (4L) for more challenging off-road terrain. I love being behind the wheel of the big, rugged bakkies but sometimes that means sacrificing a refined driving experience. Nobody doubts the off-road capabilities of the vehicle but the Ranger Wildtrak X surprised me when it came to riding on the tarmac. The gearshifts were as smooth as butter when picking up speed, the turbolag was not as bad as it usually is on a bakkie and the roads didn't feel bumpy at all. In fact, you could be forgiven for thinking that you were driving a Ford Everest when you are in the Wildtrak X. It brings that sort of refinement to the driving experience but can still tackle off-road conditions with ease. It was a pleasure to drive a total of 200km in it on a trip from Springs to Pretoria and back. The car handled the bendy highways with ease. No bumps, no bruises and certainly no perception of bulkiness for a car that weighs over 2.3 tonnes. Even the backseat passengers were comfortable with the amount of headroom and legroom that they were offered. Safety The Wildtrak X raises the bar in terms of safety compared to the normal Wildtrak. It has a 30mm wider stance to provide an even more stable footprint off-road, while ground clearance has risen by 26mm, helping owners to negotiate more challenging terrain with confidence. The Wildtrak X features seven driving modes that cover everyday and off-road driving (Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, Sand and Rock Crawl), and comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and safety systems. These include active park assist; blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert and braking; adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centring; lane departure warning and a 360-degree camera as standard. It also comes with trail assist and trail control. Trail assist negotiates tight bends on narrow tracks by applying the brake on the inside rear wheel which reduces the turning radius by up to 25%, while Trail Control helps drivers maintain constant low speed while driving off-road. The driver simply selects a set speed below 32km/h and the vehicle will manage its acceleration and braking while the driver concentrates on steering through difficult terrain. Verdict and pricing Overall, the Wildtrak X strikes that balance between ruggedness and refinement perfectly. It also is positioned perfectly as the highest-spec model before the two V6 variants, the Platinum and the Raptor. But, it does come in at over R1 million. If it's the style that you are after, then R1 070 500 will get you the Wildtrak X, but if you are a power hunter, then add the R80 000 and go for the V6 Platinum variant.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
VW vows to keep petrol-powered Golf GTI alive into the next decade
Since its introduction, Volkswagen's (VW) Grand Touring Injection (GTI) nameplate has garnered a cult following – the Golf, the first VW to don this moniker, especially. Now in its eighth generation, the Golf GTI will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026, and to commemorate its illustrious heritage, VW unveiled the Edition 50 model in June. However, with the ever-stringent European emissions regulations and with VW having confirmed an all-electric Golf GTI is in the works, the internal combustion-engined (ICE) Golf GTI's future looked somewhat uncertain. However, some good news for ICE Golf GTI fans has now surfaced. VW Golf GTI to remain ICE into 2030 In an interview with VW enthusiast Jamie Orr, the German marque's CEO, Thomas Schäfer, said the ICE Golf GTI will 'definitely' be kept alive into 2030, where we'll still see a 'strong presence' of ICE vehicles. However, Schäfer did mention that it will probably be 'a little bit' electrified. 'It's not only about the noise and the engine. It can also be transferred into the future – into the electric world. And we have a clear plan for that,' said Schäfer. In the conversation, Schäfer also noted the importance of the GTI brand, saying it is one of the Wolfsburg company's most important sub-brands – known worldwide and with a big following. (If you weren't aware of just how big this following is, attend the GTI Fan Festival and you'll experience it first-hand.) Click here to browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! Related The post VW Vows to Keep Petrol-Powered Golf GTI Alive Into the Next Decade appeared first on CAR Magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Mazda CX-30 remains a chic and dependable crossover pick
There is plenty of uncertainty surrounding the fate of legacy carmakers in the current climate. That stems from the powerful emergence of the Chinese automotive industry as a disruptor that has become tough to beat by offering customers a great deal for less outlay and across most segments. The monthly figures speak for themselves. Very soon we might see brands from China edging in on the turf of the most beloved local staples, such as Volkswagen and Toyota. They have outpaced marques that were once regular features in the top half of the monthly new vehicle sales charts. That includes Mazda. However, where proven reliability and longevity is concerned, legacy carmakers such as Mazda continue to have the upper-hand. While the oldest Chinese carmaker in South Africa is just shy of turning 18, a brand such as Mazda has been involved in Mzansi for decades. It has proven itself to be a purveyor of durable cars and, in more recent times, offerings that sought to elevate its persona with sharper designs and build quality that some have likened to German standards. A Mazda CX-30 recently arrived for evaluation, looking quite rakish in a shade of blue. The crossover was first launched in 2020 as a bridge between buyers who found the CX-3 too compact and the CX-5 too large. Mazda is not one for radical changes during a product life cycle, so aside from subtle tweaks from trim and equipment standpoints, the CX-30 seen here is much the same as the model launched about five years ago. That is a considerable length of time in modern motoring terms, but the sleek, curvaceous aesthetic appeal of the model remains as desirable as it was then. Pricing ranges from R531,800 for the basic Active version while R579,400 gets you into the Dynamic grade. The Carbon Edition, with its dark accents, is R597,800 and the range-topping Individual we tested costs R641,900. Pricing includes a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty and service plan. On the outside, the 18-inch, glossy black alloys are the biggest differentiation of the Individual versus its lesser siblings. The cabin is distinguished by a delicious two-tone colour combination: toffee for the leatherette bolsters, suede-like upholstery for the seat inners and door panels. One is reminded where the comparisons to Teutonic cabin finishes originate from. Behind the wheel of a CX-30 materials are of an excellent standard, from the soft-touch fascia to the grip of the elegant three-spoke steering wheel. The doors of the Mazda are on the light side, but concerns about occupants safety are assuaged by the fitment of seven airbags and the credentials of a five-star EuroNCAP rating. Some may lament the slightly dated look of the cabin, but traditionalists will enjoy the blend of analogue with digital. The instrument cluster, for example, has classic needles and gauges for the tachometer and fuel level, complemented by a central screen handling speed and other data. Atop the fascia is a slim infotainment screen that blends appealingly, a nice break from the stark, oversized tablets that look as though they were stuck on as an afterthought. Being the top tier expression of the CX-30 range, the standard equipment level is high and outfitted with amenities including a sunroof, Bose audio system and electrically-operated tailgate. Annoyingly, the navigation system requires an SD card, which was not present in our test unit. The vehicle's 295l boot is on the shallow side. Road manners are of a respectable texture, with good marks for sound insulation and light but direct steering. There are some compromises where ride quality is concerned, attributed to the 18-inch alloys, in tandem with suspension tuning that is decidedly firm. Drive is to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic. Where Mazda could be criticised for lagging behind is in the powertrain department. The CX-30 used a 2.0l, four-cylinder petrol engine which is naturally-aspirated. This is the 121kW/213Nm unit that has served in Mazda products for many years and has an industrial, appliance-like quality. On one hand, the long-lasting potential and easy maintenance of such a simple, uncomplicated motor is a positive. On the other hand the performance boost and economy of adopting turbocharger technology is hard to argue with. Rivals such as Toyota have found a satisfying middle ground with hybridisation. The CX-30 could certainly benefit from such progress. Average consumption over our week of testing was 8.5l/100km. While it might not be at the forefront of technological innovation, the CX-30 remains a stylish and proven prospect from a brand with a sound reputation.
