A stately machine boasting a powerful engine, exceptional handling and great carrying capacity, the Volkswagen Amarok is a staple of the German company’s pick-up line that also packs a mean punch for off-roaders. It might be seen in some circles as a bit of a family car but for the last decade, the Amarok has been gaining fans in all circles.
A definitively upmarket machine with a V6 engine in more recent models that puts it head and shoulders above the competition, the Amarok is a very modern machine in every sense of the word. It’s got an 80-litre fuel tank that will give up well over 500 miles between fills and it’s a deceptively efficient vehicle too.
So, it’s a bit of a beat, but if you want to make it even better there are plenty of options.
1. Suspension
While the Amarok is a relatively modern machine it is, in essence, built to be a family pickup truck. Whilst it can certainly handle itself admirably on a green lane with the stock components, it’s never going to be able to handle the roughest terrain without a little help. The endlessly adaptable Suspension kit from OME is a great choice if you want to give your Amarok more flexibility as a workhorse 4×4.
2. EVC Throttle Controller
You don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune to improve the quality of your ride. This piece of kit will cost you significantly less than a set of new tyres and could have a revolutionary impact on your ride. What it does is allow you to tune how responsive your accelerator pedal is, meaning you can dial in a duller or sharper throttle curve at any time, depending on your driving conditions. A truly remarkable little miracle.
3. Winches
Given the sheer heft of the Amarok, it would be a shame to not utilise it as a recovery machine. Add a winch bumper to the front of your Amarok and you’ll automatically transform your vehicle from a simple family pickup truck into a recovery juggernaut. A winch is something you never want to have to use but if you’re even remotely serious about your off-road adventures then it’s something you really want to consider
4. Wheel Arch Kits
Upgrading their wheels is one of the first things any 4×4 owner thinks about but you can’t go larger unless your wheel arches allow for it. The stock wheel arches in the Amarok might not allow for wider tyres and won’t provide adequate protection from the elements and debris either. Upgrades such as the wheel arch kit from Rock Flares, meanwhile, are designed to offer maximum protection and allow for larger tyres to be fitted. They also attach to the wheel arch lip in the same way as the stock arches, so there is no need to drill the vehicle body.
5. Roof racks
The Amarok does offer a decent amount of storage space but there could always be more. A row rack will allow for more secure storage for everything from luggage to jerry cans and will leave the storage in the back free for those who want to use the Amarok as a commercial vehicle.
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