Six-cylinder Amaroks are popular. But how will Ford feel about a Raptor rival?

Since VW introduced the V6 Amarok, it has been clear which engine configuration is preferred.

Double-cab bakkie buyers have been quite willing to pay a premium for the larger capacity V6 engine. And VW will be keen to sustain that customer demand, with the new Amarok scheduled for its global reveal, in South Africa, later this year.

Although VW has done a tidy trade in V6-powered Amaroks, it hasn’t followed the example of Ford and other rivals’ example by producing a comprehensive high-performance double-cabwith enhanced off-road capability.

VW has focussed more on the leisure double-cab buyers, who wantV6 power for safer overtaking and comfier high-speed cruising. But could that change with the change to a Ford Ranger platform?

With new Amarok and Ranger essentially being the same bakkie, regarding structure and powertrain, will Ford share all those Raptor parts with VW?

It is a question that Australian product planners at VW commercial vehicles have considered. The German company’s Australian arm has collaborated with Tom Walkinshaw Performance, to create a more street-focused Amarok V6. But what could the next stepbe? Surely, it must be something closer in concept and theme to Raptor, with similarly outrageous off-road ability?

In comments to Australia’s CarsGuide, VW staff have admitted that, “there is opportunity for everything in the pick-up segment.” And they aren’t wrong. Bakkie buyers are proving more resilient than any other segment, especially relating to limited-edition variants.

Ford, Nissan and Toyota have all proved that halo double-cab products find great favour with their customers. VW will no doubt wish to have a similar offering with its new Amarok, but whether Ford will allow a Raptor competitor on the same platform, is to be seen.

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