Volkswagen News

Volkswagen Australia has detailed its model year 2025 (MY25) update for the Amarok dual-cab ute ahead of first arrivals during the second half of 2025.The Amarok line-up continues to open with the Core TDI405 at $55,490, before on-road costs, or $55,990 drive-away. The latter price is $2000 more than the MY24 version.The line-up still extends all the way to the Aventura TDI600 at $82,990, drive-away. This is $3000 more than the MY24 version.Almost every Amarok variant picked up a drive-away pricing increase for MY25 except the Aventura TSI452 which continues to be the only variant offered with the 2.3-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine.It now starts at $79,990, drive-away, which technically remains unchanged from MY24. A full pricing table is at the bottom of this story.Headlining the MY25 Amarok update is the introduction of the off-road-oriented 10 Deserts Edition TDI500 which was made to commemorate the company achieving a Guinness World Record last year.Only 300 examples of this limited-edition dual cab ute are being made and they’re priced from $68,490, before on-road costs, or $69,990, drive-away. This is $8000 more expensive than the Amarok Life TDI500 which it’s based on.The 10 Desert Edition TDI500 features a 40mm suspension lift, 17-inch satin black wheels wrapped in Continental ATR tyres, underbody protection, a black sports bar, soft tonneau cover, all-weather floor mats and ‘10 Deserts’ decals.Additionally, MY25 versions of the Amarok Style, Panamericana and Aventura trims get 230V power sockets with an Australian plug pattern, backed by an integrated 400W inverter. They also pick up a ‘Trailer Assist’ mode which makes hitching and reversing trailers easier.It’s worth noting the related Ford Ranger also recently picked up these features as part of an update.Another change for MY25 is the ‘Mid Blue Metallic’ exterior paint option has been replaced by the new ‘Reed Green Metallic’ finish.Lastly, Amarok Core, Life and Style variants now get the option of a cab chassis tray body style.Opting for this is an additional $4000 over the standard asking price of the dual cab pick-up variant.Included is a standardised alloy tray that weighs 132kg and measures 1650mm long by 1900mm wide. There’s also a steel tray that weighs 243kg and measures similarly to the alloy tray, but pricing for this hasn’t been disclosed.Both of these trays are available as dealer-fit accessories, meaning they are covered by the same five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty as the Amarok itself.It also means any existing current-generation Amarok can have a tray retrofitted as a dealer-fit accessory. 

Volkswagen will give its ID.4 mid-size electric SUV a major update in late 2026, according to reports.

Volkswagen Group seems to be in the midst of developing and launching a series of small electric cars to satisfy its European markets, according to reports.

As the trade war between the US and China intensifies, new reports from auto industry suppliers cast a dark cloud over important component supply for new cars.Beijing has placed some key minerals on an ‘export control list’ as part of a response to the Trump administration’s increased tariffs on goods imported from China. This has disrupted global supply chains and could potentially lead to the same six-month-plus wait times for new vehicles, which was experienced during COVID-related factory shut-downs and supply disruptions.Seven of the minerals on the list for export restrictions are rare earths — a group of materials used for the production of alloys and magnets — which are key components in many automotive parts from mirrors to fluid pumps, but particularly permanent magnets used in EV and hybrid motors and alternators for combustion cars.China is responsible for up to 90 per cent of production of these key components, and Reuters cited executives from suppliers who said the “industry was in full panic” over restrictions on supply.The publication also cited analysts who said the knock-on effects of the restrictions could force automakers to make cars without certain parts and park them until they become available - in echoes of similar practices that took place during the COVID-era supply disruptions. During the COVID-era and subsequent microprocessor shortage, some cars were delivered without various difficult-to-acquire features like blind spot monitoring, either through the introduction of limited variants or tweaks to standard specifications.How bad could it get? During the peak of the COVID-19 era shortages, models in high demand such as the Toyota RAV4 were attracting wait times of more than 24 months.Fresh supply shortages could start as soon as July as the world’s automakers analyse the impact on their supply chains.It seems automakers from Europe, America, and Japan will be most exposed to these issues, handing Chinese automakers yet another advantage over their rivals.Reuters also reported Hyundai Group and its suppliers have stockpiled between six to twelve months of rare earths.Another round of supply shortages or price increases to traditionally popular brands could continue to transform the landscape of new cars in Australia. During the microprocessor shortage, less exposed brands such as MG and GWM started to leap up the sales charts at the expense of others, a trend that hasn’t been reversed since.The same Reuters report said some companies seeking to shake China’s hold on the supply of magnets and key materials, either through recycling existing materials or building new parts which are rare-earth-free, have seen a boost in interest since restrictions began in April, but it could take years for these suppliers to have the scale be able to meet demand or be cost competitive with Chinese exporters.As usual, Australia will be particularly exposed to any supply-related changes, as our relatively low-volume market tends to be far down on the priority list for the largest groups out of Japan and Europe.During the previous new-car shortages, even prices of used cars skyrocketed as buyers couldn't wait to source individual transport away from a risk of being exposed to COVID in a double-whammy effect. The effect on used car prices in some segments has never recovered to pre-covid levels.

Ryan Walkinshaw himself explains how one of the brand's most controversial HSV models was the springboard for local re-manufacturing.

Volkswagen has locked in the local specification details for its forthcoming Tayron large SUV ahead of first arrivals in September.

It’s EOFY time again!

Is Skoda next to go full retro? Brand's new MG4-sized Favorit concept could herald styling shake-up for embattled Czech automaker.

Volkswagen said Australia won’t see hybrid versions of the new Tiguan family SUV, despite new efficiency laws taking effect.

Volkswagen's incoming new-generation T-Roc small SUV will feature the brand’s first hybrid system when it arrives this year, according to a report It might sound strange but until now when it comes to hybrid vehicles Volkswagen has only offered the plug-in kind (PHEV) or mild variants. Now in a first for the brand a series-parallel hybrid system similar to the one that Toyota uses will debut on the second gen T-Roc.  Series-parallel hybrid systems combine a petrol engine with an electric motor and battery to drive the vehicle’s wheels. The new T-Roc, which makes its debut this September, will use this kind of hybrid system according to British motoring outlet Autocar.According to Autocar, Volkswagen’s CEO Thomas Schafer said the brand needed hybrid vehicles due to a slowdown in battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales and an increase in hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) beng bought as well. "We needed to do it anyway, because South America has a need for an HEV drivetrain - and the T-Roc is built in South America for South America, and also in China, “ Mr Schafer said."Interestingly enough, HEV has also become a big theme in the US specifically. It's a technology that everybody said was not necessary any more, but now with the BEV slowdown in the US, the balance is HEVs."And the T-Roc won't be the only Volkswagen to offer the hybrid system with sources telling Autocar there will also be hybrid versions of the Golf hatch and Tiguan mid-size SUV as well in the next two years.The hybrid T-Roc is expected to make its international debut at the Munich motor show in September.The slow down in EV uptake the past 12 months in Australia and other global markets shows the importance of transitional tech such as hybrid power.Australia is also seeing a surge of interest in hybrid vehicles. In 2024 sales of hybrid vehicles, excluding PHEVs was up by 89.8 per cent for SUVs and 39.9 per cent for hatches and sedans.Currently, the only hybrid is Volkswagen's Australian line-up is the Touareg R and it's a plug-in hybrid.CarsGuide has reached out to Volkswagen Australia for confirmation but was told by a spokesperson that nothing could said on the topic yet as the vehicle hasn’t been revealed.