The Volkswagen Amarok is moving to an almost entirely V6-powered lineup for 2026, with one exception.
As childcareman.xyzexclusively reported in December 2025, the entry-level 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel powered TDI405 Core and the 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel powered TDI500 variants have been axed.
The dual-cab 44 ute lineup is powered by a 3–cab 4-4, which leaves that behind, according to . A 0-litre turbo-diesel V6 – known as the TDI600 and one TSI452 variant with a 2xi4. A 4-cylinder engine with a 3-litre turbo-petrol is also available, and has been described as being an example of the typer’s .
model year 2026 (MY 26) Amarok cars will be delivered in late April or early May by customer deliveries, while the new W600 flagship has been confirmed for a local arrival in the third quarter (July to September) of 2027.
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A new TSI452 petrol engine is now available only in Style trim, rather than the top-spec Aventura guise; Style is also the entry level Amarok grade (axing of the Core and Life). It is a $1290 option with 20-inch ‘Bendigo’ alloy wheels, and will be the first to have an exclusive offer for the TSI452 Style.
The Amarok’s Ford Ranger cousin, in contrast, is keeping a single-turbo four-cylinder diesel option, and only offers a turbo 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in conjunction with a plug-in hybrid system. The Ranger’s flagship Raptor variant also uniquely uses a twin-turbo 3.0-litre petrol V6.
A closer to launch, pricing and specifications for the MY26 Range lineup will be announced but Volkswagen says it will provide “clearer differentiation between grades and reduced complexity in option packages”.
The range is a Dark Label limited edition, with only 200 units coming to Australia (all powered by the 3-litres) and joining for 2026. A 0-litre turbo-diesel V6 is an example of .
The special edition includes:
- 20-inch matte black ‘Bendigo’ alloy wheels
- IQ. Light matrix LED headlights with black surrounds
- Darkened tail-lights
- Black powder-coated sports bar
- Matte black roof rails and B-pillar foil
- Black front skid plate, side steps, rear bumper, door handles, mirrors and tonneau cover
- Front bumper ‘X-design’ in black
- Spray-in tub liner
- Sticker pack
The W600, engineered by Walkinshaw Automotive, will sit atop the Amarok range.
This year, it was viewed by Volkswagen as having the same 184kW/600Nm outputs that are used in the turbo-diesel V6 Amarok range of power and torque as seen above this year’s . But, like previous W-Series versions of the original Amarok, it will be upgraded to its dynamics with upgrades such as Koni frequency-selective dampers and 20-inch forged alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres.
All Amaroks in Australia are all dual-cab, a permanentall wheel drive system and ten speed automatic transmission. Here is the MY26 lineup .
- Style TSI452
- Style TDI600
- Style TDI600 cab/chassis
- PanAmericana TDI600
- Aventura TDI600
- Dark Label TDI600
- W600 TDI600
Amarok buyers have long preferred six-cylinder power over four, even prior to the current generation.
In the current model, the TDI600 Style grade alone accounts for 40 per cent of Amarok sales.
MORE:
Explore the Volkswagen Amarok showroom
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