Volkswagen Amarok W600 2026: price, specs and how it compares to the Ranger Raptor

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Volkswagen has revealed pricing for its flagship Amarok W600, developed together with Australian engineering firm Walkinshaw. The ute starts at AU$91,990 — slightly above the local price of the Ford Ranger Raptor, even though the engine remains standard.

The 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 produces 250 hp (184 kW) and 600 Nm of torque. It pairs with a ten-speed automatic and permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive. Walkinshaw didn’t touch the engine — the changes are concentrated in the chassis, tuned primarily for fast tarmac driving.

The W600 gets Koni dampers with frequency-selective damping, a bespoke suspension calibration, a new 22mm rear anti-roll bar and revised steering. The 20-inch wheels wear road-focused Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres — a clear departure from the Ranger Raptor’s off-road BFGoodrich rubber and Fox dampers.

Visually, the version stands out with a unique illuminated grille, wheel-arch extensions, electrically deploying side steps and dual exhaust outlets ahead of the rear wheels. Equipment includes Savona leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats, matrix headlights, 360-degree cameras and a Harman Kardon sound system. Payload sits at 954 kg, with a braked towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes. Besides the W600, the lineup already includes another special version — the Dark Label.

Metallic paint adds AU$1,100, and the electric tonneau cover another AU$3,450. With both options, the price climbs to AU$96,540 before on-road costs. The first vehicles are due to reach Australian buyers in September. The W600 shouldn’t be read as an answer to the Ranger Raptor on power or off-road ability.

Volkswagen is pitching a different idea: a diesel ute that keeps its full working payload while feeling more composed on regular roads. The premium only makes sense for a buyer who values chassis tuning over the Raptor’s extra 147 hp of petrol power.