Volkswagen revives secret Amarok SUV ambition

VOLKSWAGEN’S Commercial Vehicles division (VWCV) has revealed that it built a secret prototype of a seven-seat wagon of the first-generation Amarok ute – while telling GoAuto that it remains interested in adding a rugged, ladder-frame SUV to its range if it can overcome the project’s persistent scale problems.

The one-off prototype is of an ‘Amarok wagon’ that would have competed against models like the Ford Everest, Toyota LandCruiser Prado and Isuzu MU-X.

It remains hidden away in VWCV’s internal collection after several attempts to gain Volkswagen Group board approval for the “closed pickup” failed.

Speaking with GoAuto, VWCV chief executive Stefan Mecha said expanding into the rugged 4WD wagon segment remained a longstanding ambition of the semi-independent van/ute arm of Volkswagen.

“To extend the model range is a long-desired wish, I would say … in particular, this rugged or closed pickup, for instance, as we would call it, where you have the same platform as the pickup – an SUV but based on a pickup platform, a ladder-frame car.

“So far, we could never land it and as we said, I think to build such a car for one market that that’s not going to work, so you need more scale,” Mr Mecha explained.

Mr Mecha confirmed that VWCV had progressed planning for an SUV variant of the Amarok far enough to settle on the proportions but that the rugged wagon had never received a name of its own.

In early 2024 VWCV head of design Albert Kirzinger shared a render of an Amarok SUV (pictured) on his LinkedIn profile, adding a caption that “our research phase back in the day took us on an off-road journey, and here´s a sneak peek with a rendering featuring a fully closed pickup bed”.

Mr Mecha said VWCV “wanted to have this closed pickup, but financially, it never worked out – that was the reason. The economics never made us bring this car to life”.

However, the idea of adding an SUV variant is once again back on the table. Volkswagen has confirmed that a third-generation Amarok ute will go into production and final decisions are now being made about the joint venture partner that will produce the pickup – and possibly a ‘closed’ version, too.

An extension of the Ford relationship would provide the most direct route. The current Ranger-based Amarok shares its underlying Ford T6.2 architecture with the Everest, but the wagon was deliberately excluded from the existing agreement.

“We have not included this Everest into the cooperation with Ford for (the current Amarok) generation,” Mr Mecha said.

“We focused on the pickup solely, so this is (not something) that we have tackled so far – but again, the (SUV) remains an interesting concept, no doubt.”

VWCV and Ford are discussing whether the pair will again partner for the next Amarok, but Mr Mecha said no agreement has been finalised and noted that there was “nothing concrete, nothing tangible” about an SUV finally being built.

A renewal could theoretically provide Volkswagen with access to an Everest derivative, but VWCV is also assessing sourcing opportunities across the wider Volkswagen Group – including its substantial Chinese operations.

Either pathway could deliver the fundamentals for an Amarok SUV: a ladder-frame chassis, coil-sprung wagon body, credible off-road ability, high towing capacity and greater passenger comfort than a leaf-sprung ute.

The Australian market shows that rugged SUVs can create desirable marginal volume opportunities for ute-makers. The Ford Everest was the nation’s fourth best-selling vehicle in 2025 with 26,161 deliveries, narrowly ahead of the then-new LandCruiser Prado (26,106).

But the segment is changing, in part due to the influence of NVES compliance obligations.

While models like the Everest and Isuzu MU-X continue to sit at the clearly ute-based end of the sector, more refined models like the Prado and 300 Series LandCruiser are being challenged by premium newcomers from China.

GWM’s Tank 500 and the newer Denza B5 and B8 have introduced hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains, high technology levels and increasingly luxurious cabins while retaining a high level of off-roading capability.

That changing competitive set could suit Volkswagen, whose two Amarok generations have combined working-vehicle underpinnings with more premium design, specification and positioning – and high customer expectations.

Mr Mecha said the internal distinction between VWCV and Volkswagen Passenger Cars would not obstruct such a model because the brands would really develop and distribute it together.

“It doesn’t matter too much whether it’s a passenger car vehicle or a commercial vehicle…I think the important thing is it carries the Volkswagen badge and we work side by side on this,” he said.