The humble pickup truck has come a long way from its utilitarian roots. Once purely workhorses designed for hauling loads and traversing rough terrain, modern pickups have evolved into versatile vehicles that blend capability with comfort. Standing at the forefront of this evolution is the newly unveiled Volkswagen Amarok W-Series, which has received a comprehensive makeover from the renowned Australian performance outfit Walkinshaw.
Having spent a week behind the wheel of this reimagined Amarok, I can confidently say it represents a significant leap forward for Volkswagen’s pickup offerings. The W-Series isn’t just another cosmetic package slapped onto an existing model – it’s a thoughtfully engineered enhancement that elevates the Amarok’s performance, aesthetics, and overall character.
The Walkinshaw Touch: More Than Just a Name
Walkinshaw Automotive Group isn’t just any tuning company. With deep roots in Australian motorsport and a storied history of creating enhanced vehicles for brands like Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), Walkinshaw brings decades of engineering expertise to the table. Their partnership with Volkswagen feels natural – German precision meets Australian practicality and performance know-how.
Walking around the W-Series, the Walkinshaw influence is immediately apparent. The stance is more aggressive, with the pickup sitting taller and wider than the standard Amarok. This isn’t merely for show – the revised suspension geometry and upgraded components deliver tangible improvements in both on and off-road performance.
“We didn’t want to just make it look tough,” explained Dave Ryan, lead engineer on the W-Series project, during the launch event I attended in the rugged Victorian High Country. “Every modification serves a purpose, improving capability while maintaining the inherent character that makes the Amarok special.”
The interior hasn’t been overlooked either. Walkinshaw touches include unique trim elements, W-Series badging, and retuned driving modes that better harness the powertrain’s potential. After spending hours in the driver’s seat navigating everything from highways to mountain trails, I found the cabin refinements struck a perfect balance – distinctive without being ostentatious.
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Performance Enhancements: Substance Behind the Style
Beneath the muscular exterior lies a suite of performance upgrades that transform the driving experience. The W-Series isn’t about outrageous power figures – instead, Walkinshaw has focused on a holistic approach to performance enhancement.
Suspension and Chassis Upgrades
The most significant changes can be found in the suspension setup. The W-Series receives an entirely reworked suspension system with twin-tube dampers, progressive rate springs, and revised bushings. The result is a pickup that feels significantly more planted around corners while retaining impressive articulation for off-road excursions.
During testing, I put the W-Series through its paces on a particularly challenging off-road course. The improved approach and departure angles (now 30° and 27° respectively) allowed the Amarok to navigate obstacles that would have defeated the standard model. More impressive was how these improvements didn’t come at the expense of on-road manners – the W-Series exhibits noticeably less body roll and better road holding than the regular Amarok.
Powertrain Refinements
Under the hood, the Amarok’s existing engine options remain, but Walkinshaw has worked their magic on the calibration side. The top-spec 3.0-liter V6 TDI now delivers its 580Nm of torque more effectively across the rev range, with throttle response sharpened considerably. The 8-speed automatic transmission has also received attention, with revised shift mapping that better anticipates driver inputs.
“We’ve maintained the fundamental reliability of the Volkswagen powertrains while extracting more character and responsiveness,” noted Walkinshaw’s powertrain specialist Sarah Mitchell. This measured approach pays dividends in real-world driving – the W-Series feels more eager and responsive without sacrificing the dependability that buyers in this segment demand.
Distinctive Aesthetics That Set It Apart
In a segment increasingly populated by look-alike offerings, the W-Series stands out with its distinctive visual identity. The exterior modifications aren’t merely cosmetic additions but thoughtfully integrated elements that complement Amarok’s original design language.
Bold Exterior Modifications
The front fascia features a redesigned grille and bumper assembly with integrated LED lighting elements, giving the W-Series a commanding road presence. Flared wheel arches accommodate the wider track and house exclusive 18-inch forged alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. These aren’t just for show – the wheel and tire package offers tangible improvements in grip across various surfaces.
The rear hasn’t been neglected, with a redesigned tailgate featuring subtle Walkinshaw badging and a sports bar that adds visual muscle while offering practical mounting points for accessories. A spray-in bedliner comes standard, reflecting the W-Series’ dual focus on style and functionality.
The color palette deserves special mention – alongside traditional options, Walkinshaw has introduced three exclusive colors for the W-Series. The “Outback Orange” of my test vehicle drew admiring glances wherever I went, its deep metallic finish changing character depending on the light.
Refined Interior Experience
Step inside, and the W-Series greets you with an interior that balances premium touches with rugged practicality. The seats feature unique upholstery with contrast stitching and embossed W-Series logos, providing excellent support during both highway cruising and off-road adventures.
A redesigned steering wheel with perforated leather sections improves grip and tactile feedback, while the gear selector and door panels receive similar treatment. The infotainment system remains Volkswagen’s excellent Discover Pro setup but with custom Walkinshaw startup graphics and drive mode displays.
What impressed me most was how these enhancements elevated the overall ambiance without compromising utility. The grab handles remain easily accessible, controls are still glove-friendly, and the durable floor coverings can handle muddy boots without complaint.
Driving Impressions: Where the W-Series Truly Shines
Theory and specifications tell only part of the story – the true test of any vehicle is how it performs in real-world conditions. After putting the W-Series through its paces across varied terrain, I can report that it delivers a driving experience that lives up to the promise of its enhanced appearance.
On the highway, the W-Series exhibits a level of refinement that belies its pickup truck underpinnings. Wind and road noise are well suppressed, while the retuned suspension absorbs imperfections without floating or wallowing. The steering, often a weak point in pickups, offers decent feedback and precision, particularly at higher speeds.
It’s when the pavement ends that the W-Series truly differentiates itself from the standard Amarok. Navigating a rock-strewn trail, the improved ground clearance and underbody protection inspired confidence, while the calibrated traction control systems allowed for controlled progress without excessive intervention.
Perhaps most impressive was the W-Series’ composure on corrugated dirt roads – a common surface in the Australian outback and a brutal test for any suspension system. Where many pickups would skip and bounce, the Walkinshaw-enhanced suspension maintained consistent contact with the surface, allowing for safer, more comfortable progress at speed.
Pricing and Market Positioning
With prices starting at $69,990 (before on-road costs) for the entry-level variant and stretching to $79,990 for the fully loaded flagship model, the W-Series commands a premium over the standard Amarok. After experiencing the comprehensive nature of the enhancements, this premium feels justified.
Volkswagen has positioned the W-Series as a halo product for the Amarok range, targeting buyers who want something more exclusive and capable than mainstream offerings but without the extreme focus (and compromise) of specialized off-road models. This middle-ground approach makes sense, particularly in markets like Australia where pickups are increasingly purchased as lifestyle vehicles rather than purely work tools.
“We’re seeing more customers who want their pickup to be capable across multiple roles – comfortable daily driver, weekend adventure vehicle, and occasional workhorse,” explained Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Australia Director Ryan Davies. “The W-Series caters to this versatile usage pattern better than perhaps any other pickup currently available.”
A Genuine Contender in the Premium Pickup Segment
The Volkswagen Amarok W-Series represents a significant achievement – a pickup that manages to enhance capability and exclusivity without sacrificing the fundamental qualities that made the base vehicle successful. The Walkinshaw treatment has resulted in a cohesive, thoroughly engineered package rather than a collection of bolt-on modifications.
What impresses me most is how the W-Series manages to expand the Amarok’s envelope in multiple directions simultaneously. It’s more capable off-road, more composed on-road, more visually distinctive, and more luxurious inside – improvements that would typically involve compromises in other areas.
For buyers seeking a premium pickup that stands apart from increasingly common “luxury” trucks, the W-Series makes a compelling case. It offers the perfect balance of exclusivity, capability, and refinement, wrapped in a package that makes a statement without shouting.
If this first collaboration between Volkswagen and Walkinshaw is any indication, we’re witnessing the beginning of an exciting partnership that could yield even more impressive vehicles in the future. The pickup segment just got more interesting, and competitors will undoubtedly be taking notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will the Volkswagen Amarok W-Series be available for purchase?
A: The W-Series is scheduled to arrive at dealerships in the third quarter of this year, with pre-orders already open.
Q: Does the Walkinshaw upgrade affect the Amarok’s warranty?
A: No, all Walkinshaw enhancements are fully backed by Volkswagen’s standard 5-year/unlimited-kilometer warranty.
Q: What’s the towing capacity of the W-Series?
A: The W-Series maintains the standard Amarok’s 3,500kg braked towing capacity, with enhanced stability under load.
Q: Is the W-Series available with manual transmission?
A: Currently, the W-Series is only offered with Volkswagen’s 8-speed automatic transmission.
Q: How does the fuel economy compare to the standard Amarok?
A: Despite the performance enhancements, the W-Series sees only a marginal increase in fuel consumption, approximately 0.5L/100km above the standard model.