Johannesburg Motor Show - Volkswagen's commercial vehicles division is on a mission to dazzle Amarok fans with the JIMS unveiling of two concept models that inject some bling into VW's leisure workhorse.
WORTHERSEE CONCEPT
Think of this one as the GTI of bakkies - after all, it was named after the GTI Festival in Wörthersee, Austria, where it was first unveiled.
Based on the single cab Amarok, the concept gets its brawn from a 3-litre V6 TDI turbodiesel engine that pushes 200kW and 600Nm through all four wheels via a permanent all-wheel drive system and eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Far more of a street sprinter than bundu basher, the concept has 22-inch alloy wheels and sprints to 100km/h in just 7.9 seconds.
Other visual giveaways are the matte black grille, sill extensions and a carbon diffuser flanked by two chrome tailpipes.
The interior is spruced up with a black, red and white colour scheme inspired by the Golf GTI and occupants sink into a pair of racing bucket seats. Bespoke equipment includes a turbo boost gauge, a stopwatch for measuring acceleration times and an infotainment system linked to an eight-inch touch-screen.
EDITION CONCEPT
A bit closer to reality, the Amarok Edition features a copper orange exterior colour scheme with black elements.
Other visual highlights include the smoked tail lights, underbody protection in body colour and contrasting black wheel wells. The sill tubes, styling bar and rear bumper, also in black, follow this two-tone visual theme. Also in place is a lighting bar that mounts to the roof with four auxiliary headlights and additional basic colours.
Inside, the facia is offset in matt chrome, the part-leather seats have two tone styling, the seat surfaces are styled in moonrock colour, while the head restraints and side seat panels elegantly stand out in anthracite. Beneath the bonnet you'll find VW's latest 132kW/420Nm 2-litre TDI.