Volkswagen designer presents new SUV based on Amarok

overlanding is a hype in the car world. Volkswagen is responding to this with this new SUV. Albert Kirzinger, chief designer at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, shares pictures of it on his LinkedIn page.

“We are exploring design ideas for the Amarok pickup,” Kirzinger wrote. “Here’s a sneak peek with a rendering of a fully enclosed truck bed. Ready for rough adventures!”

Based on the Amarok or not?

This SUV is therefore based on the Volkswagen Amarok, which has a closed loading area. However, you can’t see that. After all, you can’t see any seams to indicate that it’s a hood.

In any case, it is just plaster and unsightly seams could have been polished away. In addition, the Volkswagen no longer has levers in the rear doors and the lighting units and bumpers are also designed slightly differently. Nevertheless, there is the large lettering “Amarok” on the hood.

Volkswagen variant of the Ford Everest

In the drawing, the Volkswagen looks more like an SUV than an Amarok with a closed loading area. It would therefore make more sense if the off-roader appeared as a Volkswagen version of the Ford Everest. This is an SUV variant of the Ford Ranger, on which the Amarok is based.

The fact that Albert Kirzinger shares pictures of the SUV certainly doesn’t mean that the car will be available. On the contrary: if there were actually plans to put this Volkswagen into production, the brand would not present it in this way.

Pickup offers customers more value than SUV

That doesn’t change the fact that fantasies about an SUV version of the Amarok occasionally circulate within Volkswagen’s walls. “It is always an idea to create a robust SUV based on the pick-up,” said Lars Krause from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in 2022. “But we think that the pick-up design is the best at the moment is.” Value offers to our customers.”

It’s a shame, because SUVs are very popular and we’re definitely thrilled with this souped-up off-roader. With its roof rack, sturdy off-road tires and high air intake, this Volkswagen would fit the bill Overlanders may be. In the United States, where this method of car camping is very popular, Jeep Wranglers and Ford Broncos are often used for this purpose.

Volkswagen SUV as an overlander

While this Volkswagen render wouldn’t be out of place on this list, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see it driving through the Utah desert. Not only because there is no sign that this design will ever become a reality, but also because the Amarok (as an existing pickup variant) is not available in the US.