Volkswagen has already come up big on the Dakar, winning the 2009 edition with the Race Touareg driven by Giniel De Villiers. This year it will be the Amarok pick-up that will set off to conquer South America. As an official partner of the rally, Volkswagen will send 35 of these new 4X4s on to the roads and tracks of the 2010 Dakar. Barely off the assembly line; the first unities of the Volkswagen Amarok will take on a large scale challenge in setting off on a more than 9000 kilometer long adventure crossing Argentina and Chile. The 35 pick-ups chosen for assuring the world presentation will be put through a demanding route. As official organisation vehicles, some of the Amaroks will be used by the advance team that will be in charge of making changes to the road-book, if need be, two days prior to the passage of the race. Others will be used by journalist looking for the best spot to capture sensational images or be used for logistical purposes by the Volkswagen Motorsports team. The impeccable presentation of the Amarok is Volkswagen’s other Dakar challenge.

The Amarok will be offered in a variety of different configurations. The double cab model will be launched first, with a single cab version set to debut shortly thereafter. As with most pickups, consumers will be able to buy an Amarok with two- or four-wheel drive. Power will come from a new-generation of common-rail diesel engines, which should combine stellar fuel efficiency (for a truck) with modest CO2 emissions. Built at VW’s Pachero plant (near Buenos Aires, Argentina).

The Amarok will be launched in Central- and South America in early 2010. Six months later, the truck will be offered to Russian and European consumers. Despite confirmation that Australia and Africa will get the new model, Volkswagen has remained tight-lipped about the possibility of North American sales.

Related posts:

1. Volkswagen Amarok
2. Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 world debut
3. Volkswagen maintains a commanding advantage
4. Dakar Rally remains in South America for 2011
5. Dakar 2010 in Argentina and Chile

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This post was written by Memin