Now Volkswagen has its own W600: a sports car that can carry 10 kangaroos
Volkswagen Amarok W600: on-road handling with 247 hp V6
Now Volkswagen has its own W600: a sports car that can carry 10 kangaroos
Volkswagen Amarok W600, developed with Walkinshaw Performance, focuses on on-road handling with new suspension, 20-inch wheels, and 247 hp V6. Available in Australia and New Zealand from 2026.
2026-01-30T19:43:25+03:00
2026-01-30T19:43:25+03:00
2026-01-30T23:00:13+03:00
Volkswagen has brought the Amarok W600 to the final stretch—a special version developed in collaboration with Walkinshaw Performance for the Australian market. Unlike the typical off-road variants, the W600 focuses on on-road handling. The pickup features 20-inch wheels with Michelin tires, widened fenders, new sporty bodywork, and electrically retractable running boards. Inside, there are Walkinshaw-branded accents and aluminum pedals.
The key changes are hidden in the suspension: the standard off-road setup has been replaced with a completely new configuration developed alongside Koni. This new kinematics and rear stabilizer bar provide more precise responses and stability without compromising the Amarok's fundamental off-road capability.
Under the hood, there are no changes: it retains the familiar 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 producing 247 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque. Volkswagen had to forgo the more powerful gasoline V6 from the Ranger Raptor, as it's not available for the Amarok. The company explored options with the 2.3-liter turbo and 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel engines, but customer preferences ultimately led to the choice of the V6.
The pickup is set to hit the market between July and September 2026. Meanwhile, Volkswagen is also considering a more rugged off-road version—a potential Amarok W600X that could replace the previous W580X. For now, the priority is the road-focused W600, which will be offered exclusively in Australia and New Zealand.
Volkswagen Amarok W600, developed with Walkinshaw Performance, focuses on on-road handling with new suspension, 20-inch wheels, and 247 hp V6. Available in Australia and New Zealand from 2026.
Michael Powers, Editor
Volkswagen has brought the Amarok W600 to the final stretch—a special version developed in collaboration with Walkinshaw Performance for the Australian market. Unlike the typical off-road variants, the W600 focuses on on-road handling. The pickup features 20-inch wheels with Michelin tires, widened fenders, new sporty bodywork, and electrically retractable running boards. Inside, there are Walkinshaw-branded accents and aluminum pedals.
The key changes are hidden in the suspension: the standard off-road setup has been replaced with a completely new configuration developed alongside Koni. This new kinematics and rear stabilizer bar provide more precise responses and stability without compromising the Amarok's fundamental off-road capability.
Under the hood, there are no changes: it retains the familiar 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 producing 247 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque. Volkswagen had to forgo the more powerful gasoline V6 from the Ranger Raptor, as it's not available for the Amarok. The company explored options with the 2.3-liter turbo and 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel engines, but customer preferences ultimately led to the choice of the V6.
The pickup is set to hit the market between July and September 2026. Meanwhile, Volkswagen is also considering a more rugged off-road version—a potential Amarok W600X that could replace the previous W580X. For now, the priority is the road-focused W600, which will be offered exclusively in Australia and New Zealand.
