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New Volkswagen Amarok TDI580 Highline 2021 detailed: More powerful V6 set for most popular dual-cab ute

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The Amarok is line for yet another power boost.
Justin Hilliard
Head of Editorial
9 Jul 2020
2 min read

Volkswagen Australia has confirmed the most popular version of the Amarok dual-cab ute will come with a more potent V6 engine from September.

The mid-range TDI550 Highline will retain the Amarok's 3.0-litre turbo-diesel unit, but peak power will be increased by 20kW, to 200kW (on overboost), while maximum torque will rise by 30Nm, to 580Nm.

Interestingly, this Argentinian-sourced engine will not require AdBlue due to its Euro5 certification, with previous iterations meeting the more stringent Euro6 emissions standard and therefore requiring the ammonia-based fluid to be sprayed into their exhaust systems.

Either way, the variant will be renamed TDI580 Highline, joining the ranks of the Highline Black, S and Ultimate grades, all of which have the same tune and therefore similar badging.

Just like its predecessor, the TDI580 Highline will be mated to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission and Volkswagen’s full-time 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.

This combination will help the TDI580 Highline sprint from a standstill to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds, all while offering a maximum braked towing capacity of 3500kg.

Standard equipment will include bi-Xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, 18-inch Rawson alloy wheels, side steps, rear disc brakes, a stainless-steel sports bar, tinted tail-lights, a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors.

Inside, a touchscreen multimedia system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, dual-zone climate control, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and Salipria cloth upholstery will feature.

According to Volkswagen Australia, pricing will be announced soon. For reference, the soon-to-be-discontinued TDI550 Highline is priced from $61,090 plus on-road costs, so its TDI580 successor is likely to push closer towards the $64,990 TDI580 Highline Black.

Justin Hilliard
Head of Editorial
Justin’s dad chose to miss his birth because he wanted to watch Peter Brock hopefully win Bathurst, so it figures Justin grew up to have a car obsession, too – and don’t worry, his dad did turn up in time after some stern words from his mum. That said, despite loving cars and writing, Justin chose to pursue career paths that didn’t lend themselves to automotive journalism, before eventually ending up working as a computer technician. But that car itch just couldn’t be scratched by his chipped Volkswagen Golf R (Mk7), so he finally decided to give into the inevitable and study a Master of Journalism at the same time. And even with the long odds, Justin was lucky enough to land a full-time job as a motoring journalist soon after graduating and the rest, as they say, is history. These days, Justin happily finds himself working at CarsGuide during the biggest period of change yet for the automotive industry, which is perhaps the most exciting part of all. In case you’re wondering, Justin begrudgingly sold the Golf R (sans chip) and still has plans to buy his dream car, an E46 BMW M3 coupe (manual, of course), but he is in desperate need of a second car space – or maybe a third.
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