Amarok - any use?

[Richard Selman]

Thinking about changing out the Navara. Its been pretty good however where I launch I need to use low ratio to save the clutch and I've wound up the transmission a few times climbing round the bends. Was thinking about getting a new one with an auto box to limit low ratio use however I really wanted the next vehicle to have full time 4WD. I probably should get a defender but I just can't bring myself to like the cramped cab and WWII looks (I really tried). Plus I like having a pickup so that I can dump in dripping wet/muddy gear/bikes/kids etc and then hose it out afterwards.

Just noticed that the new 8 speed auto VW Amarok has a centre diff, rear mech diff lock and a crawler gear. Rated for 2800 kgs I think. Sounds perfect........

Anyone have any experience of these?

Toughness and reliability of the mechanical parts are most important for me (more than bells and whistles inside the cab - I'd choose manual windows if I could) but the defender is just a little too.....you know....

Richard

[Nos4r2]

I fitted freewheeling hubs to my 4x4. No worries about winding up the transmission then in low range.

[Richard Selman]

Yep perfect solution if you can get them - which 4X4 do you have?

I tried to get manual hubs for the Navara when I got it in '05 but they don't make them for the D40 model (the version since '04) only for the earlier D22. I seem to recall that there was a mechanical reason why they could not be fitted but I cannot work out why that would be.

Richard

[benjytaylor]

I've got a 2009 Toyota hilux invincible and just recently bought an amarok. Wish I could have had it in auto but the manual is still fantastic. You won't be disappointed

[Leapy]

There was a road test in Autocar a couple of weeks back about the new Ford Ranger pick up. There was also comments and comparisons in the article about the VW. Maybe available on online?

[spartacus]

Part of the trouble will be to get one. We deal with VW through work and they can't get enough supply. That was a few months ago so maybe things have changed. More detail here regards new BlueMotion version with 8 speed auto box.
VW AUDI Forum - VWAF - New Amarok 180 ps with Bluemotion Technology and auto transmission

The thing that got my attention was 420Nm of torque available at 1750rpm!

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Leapy

There was a road test in Autocar a couple of weeks back about the new Ford Ranger pick up. There was also comments and comparisons in the article about the VW. Maybe available on online?

I'm on my third navara, but think it'll be the ford for me next time
6 speed auto with 3350 kg towing capacity

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by bedajim

I'm on my third navara, but think it'll be the ford for me next time
6 speed auto with 3350 kg towing capacity

The Ford did get an excellent write up and in Autocar's summing up put it ahead of the VW and all else.

It's the first Ranger pick up that looks half decent. Most of the earlier efforts have been weak.

[Richard Selman]

In addition, towing limits have increased from 2,800 kg to 3,000 kg for manual models, while a new eight-speed automatic transmission has been introduced and has a higher towing limit of 3,200 kg.

Interesting.

BlueMotion Technology improves fuel economy and lowers emissions by using low rolling resistance tyres,

those will be good on the slip!

Stop/Start and regenerative braking.

Whats it doing with the recovered energy?


The Ford looks good but it still is part-time 4WD. Looks like it has a crawler gear for 1st though.

Richard

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by Richard Selman

Whats it doing with the recovered energy?

The Ford looks good but it still is part-time 4WD. Looks like it has a crawler gear for 1st though.

Richard

Recovered energy will be used to charge the battery ilo of alternator load.

Part-time 4WD should save fuel too. Only use it when you need it.

[Richard Selman]

Beat me to it:

Brake energy recuperation:
Every time the car brakes, kinetic energy is converted into electricity and stored in the battery. Which means, just the act of braking recharges the battery. Now, the more you brake, the further you can go.

The energy it saves over its lifetime would probably not cover the manufacture of the extra cr*p to make it work. Must be needed for the stop/start system which can only be worth while for regular urban use. Totally pointless for a 4WD being used properly IMHO. Just more stuff to go wrong.

The irony of using such a system to launch something that burns 10 gph to turn money into noise!

Richard

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by Richard Selman

The energy it saves over its lifetime would probably not cover the manufacture of the extra cr*p to make it work

It's "Me Too" technology known as Greenwash in the industry. Looks good in the brochure, f@@k all use in a total cost sense as you point out.

WTF quote "The more you brake the further you can go". Yeah, right. Which half wit came up with that greenwash. A classic quote of the WEAK.

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by Richard Selman

Must be needed for the stop/start system which can only be worth while for regular urban use. Totally pointless for a 4WD being used properly IMHO. Just more stuff to go wrong.

The irony of using such a system to launch something that burns 10 gph to turn money into noise!

Richard

Rant on the way. I HATE stop/start systems. Got the damned nuisance on the new Audi; the manual says that even if you only stop for 30 to 40 seconds it will save fuel - so the inference is that if you are stopped for less than that it will actually cost fuel. Checked out during my normal driving; almost never stopped for 30 seconds at a time - what a sop to the greenies

[mick]

What about the ford ranger 3.2 with a 6 speed auto

[Cookee]

On fifth gear they tested a stop start system in Birmingham - after a while it stopped working as the battery had got down to a level it wasn't happy with because of all of the stop starting!

[Jizm]

I've heard nothing bad about the Amarok's as yet and a friend of mine is the warranty manager at the local VW dealer.
They're big old beasts as well.....

[Alan Priddy]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I fitted freewheeling hubs to my 4x4. No worries about winding up the transmission then in low range.

You cannot fit free wheeling hubs to a modern 4x4 the ECU's are designed to calculate each wheel and adjust to compensate any slippage or skidding. Even if one tyre is worn the car will drive like crap. Alan P express gearbox company automatic transmisson experts

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Cookee

after a while it stopped working as the battery had got down to a level it wasn't happy with because of all of the stop starting!

Mrs M's Mini does that.

Too many short trips says Ocean BMW. The S/Start feature is shite.

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Mrs M's Mini does that.

Too many short trips says Ocean BMW. The S/Start feature is shite.

Aye, more f'kin greenwash

[Richard Selman]

Alan,

Would an auto box do completely away with the need for low ratio for boat recovery type activities i.e. needed for a relatively short period up a ramp or steep incline before going back to normal road use rather than extended proper offroad type work.

Only experience towing with an auto was when the Nav front wheel bearings disintegrated coming back from ERR 2011. AA took the Nav on a flatbead and I used the wife's XC90 to tow the RIB home. Seemed great even with 6 in the car going through the highlands but I did not try a really steep hill standing start like I have where I launch at Peterhead or at the Inn at Dores, Loch Ness.

Richard