Skip advert
Advertisement

VW Amarok R-style concept previewed

The Worthersee tuning show yields another concept - the rather unexpected Amarok R-style performance pick-up

The Volkswagen group is taking the 2013 Worthersee tuning show very seriously. After VW revealed a 496bhp Golf GTI concept and SEAT unveiled its 326bhp Leon Cup Racer, the latest concept may not be as potent, but it’s no less interesting.

VW has given its Amarok pick-up an unlikely dose of attitude with a new R-style version. Practical elements – such as the Amarok’s plentiful ride height and simple interior – have been binned. The pick-up rides much lower than standard, while the alloy wheels are now a staggering 22in in size, calling on 60mm-wider bodywork to accommodate them. Other exterior flourishes include a carbonfibre diffuser, larger front air intakes and much bolder exhaust tailpipes.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Inside, the Amarok R-style gets a black, red and silver GTI-style interior, a pair of bucket seats and a carbonfibre-trimmed dashboard.

Under the skin, the R-style gets a 268bhp/442lb ft 3-litre V6 turbodiesel engine, which, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, hustles the Amarok to 62mph in an almost hot hatch-like 7.9sec.

The VW Amarok R-style has only been seen in these sketches so far, but we’ll publish pictures as soon as we get them. And while its styling is pure concept car, the engine and transmission could feasibly make production, with the similarly powered V6 Nissan Navara Outlaw to rival. Currently, the most powerful Amarok uses a 178bhp 2-litre twin-turbo diesel.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Land Rover Defender Octa review – the super SUV that’s more fun than sports cars
Land Rover Defender Octa – front
In-depth reviews

Land Rover Defender Octa review – the super SUV that’s more fun than sports cars

Put aside your SUV cynicism. The Land Rover Defender Octa is a triumph, with 911 GT3 levels of engineering making it an unexpected thrill to drive
8 Jan 2026
Best performance SUVs 2026 – supercar performance in a family-friendly package
Best performance SUVs
Best cars

Best performance SUVs 2026 – supercar performance in a family-friendly package

High-performance SUV sounds like an oxymoron but in 2026, brute force engineering and clever chassis tech have given us some genuinely exciting fast 4…
5 Jan 2026
Morgan Supersport review – the retro sports car we’d strongly consider over a Porsche 911
Morgan Supersport – front
In-depth reviews

Morgan Supersport review – the retro sports car we’d strongly consider over a Porsche 911

Morgan’s new flagship is its most versatile car yet. But does modernising mean losing the magic?
6 Jan 2026