Volkswagen's Covert SUV Project and Future Off-Road Ambitions
Volkswagen once secretly developed a seven-seater SUV utilizing the robust body-on-frame chassis of the original Amarok pickup truck. Despite its potential, this project, internally dubbed an 'Amarok wagon,' was ultimately shelved due to doubts about its market viability. However, the concept of an SUV derived from the Amarok has never entirely faded, and discussions are ongoing regarding its potential revival for future generations of the truck, even as Volkswagen prepares to launch its new electric off-road vehicle, the Scout Traveler, in 2027.
The disclosure of this clandestine SUV development came from Stefan Mecha, head of VW Commercial Vehicles, during an interview with Australian publication GoAuto. Mecha revealed that although the foundation for a fully enclosed SUV variant of the Amarok was readily available, the project did not receive executive approval. The primary concern was insufficient sales potential, as internal analyses suggested that a single market like Australia would not justify the extensive production investment required for a global launch.
Despite the initial rejection, the allure of an Amarok-based SUV has continued to captivate certain individuals within Volkswagen. A few years ago, Albert Kirzinger, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles' Head of Design, showcased a conceptual sketch on LinkedIn depicting a second-generation Amarok with a fully integrated rear section, essentially an SUV. However, the current Amarok's collaboration with Ford's Ranger platform did not encompass an SUV counterpart to rival Ford's Everest, leaving the concept unfulfilled.
Looking to the future, Volkswagen has confirmed that a third-generation Amarok is in development. Mecha acknowledged ongoing discussions with Ford for potential future collaborations but emphasized that Volkswagen is keeping its strategic options open. With the current Amarok model expected to remain in production for another two to three years, its successor is anticipated around the turn of the decade. The possibility of an SUV derivative from this upcoming generation remains a topic of consideration, though no definitive decisions have been reached.
Furthermore, Volkswagen's Commercial Vehicles division has already announced plans for a partnership with China's SAIC to develop a replacement for the aging first-generation Amarok. This original workhorse continues to be sold in South America and is slated for replacement in 2027 by a new truck built on Chinese underpinnings. This strategy suggests that Volkswagen intends to maintain a dual Amarok lineup, each tailored to specific regional markets, in the coming years.
Independent of any Amarok-derived SUV, the VW Group is poised to cater to the demand for rugged off-road vehicles with the introduction of the Scout Traveler. This new model is scheduled to commence production in 2027, with an expected starting price below $60,000. It will be offered as a pure electric vehicle, boasting an estimated range of approximately 350 miles. Additionally, a range-extender variant, featuring a naturally aspirated gasoline engine functioning as a generator, is projected to offer an impressive range exceeding 500 miles. Both versions of the Scout Traveler will be manufactured at a newly constructed plant in Blythewood, South Carolina, marking a significant step in Volkswagen's electric vehicle expansion.
Volkswagen's historical reluctance to develop an SUV based on the Amarok pickup truck appears to be a missed opportunity, especially given the growing demand for off-road SUVs. While the company considers an SUV variant for the third-generation Amarok, the current financial landscape of the VW Group, which aims to halve its model lineup to cut costs, makes such a project less certain. The upcoming Scout Traveler EV, designed to fill the off-road SUV niche, may further diminish the likelihood of an Amarok SUV emerging in the near future.
