The Volkswagen Amarok has won the ‘International Pick-up Award 2018’ (IPUA 2018). Like its predecessor in 2010, the new Amarok, now with high-torque V6 engines, has also succeeded in winning over the jury of transport journalists.

“We are very grateful to have received the IPUA 2018 and feel honored by the decision of the international expert jury. With the new Amarok, we’ve once again listened to what customers want and been able to achieve more power, more torque and also better capability for deployment on any terrain. This is more than just pure luxury and lifestyle,” said Dr Eckhard Scholz, Chairman of the Brand Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, at the presentation of the International Pick-up Award 2018 in Lyon. “I promise that we will continue to deliver the best solutions for our customers in order to make their lives and day-to-day work easier,” stressed Scholz.

The jury rated the Amarok as the epitome of ‘work hard, play hard’, a core element of the entire pick-up segment and described the Amarok as a “top pedigree workhorse”. The clear design, the fantastic feel and the finish, were specifically cited by the jury as being key factors in their decision. The size of the double cab with room for five people, one of the biggest in the segment, also impressed with its modern design. The ergoComfort seats for driver and front-seat passenger, adorned with the AGR logo of the ‘German Healthy Backs Society’, also won over the jury, who in addition highlighted the unique 8-speed automatic transmission and broad V6 engine specification in the segment.

The jury members were particularly taken by the on- and off-road capabilities of the V6 Amarok: “The engine’s refinement and elasticity set a new standard in the segment.” And they added in their explanation of why they awarded the accolade: “Performance is not a challenge for the Volkswagen Amarok V6. Its wide selection of 3-liter TDI engines, which range from 161 to 255 horsepower, fulfills the power and torque desires of all customer groups.”

The second-generation Amarok with its V6 engine is a hit with customers: in 2017, to the end of October, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has already supplied customers with 65,200 vehicles from the Amarok range (same period last year: 57,600 units). This represents an increase of 13.2 percent.

The awards for Van of the Year 2018 were also presented in the course of the awards ceremony at the gala reception held during the 2017 Solutrans International Transport Show: here the Volkswagen Caddy TGI, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ CNG-powered delivery van and family MPV, also secured a place among the top three.

The International Pick-up Award IPUA is awarded only every two or three years by a selection of the IVotY (International Van of the Year) jury members, a group of renowned trade journalists from 25 countries. Sixteen of them evaluate the nominated vehicles independently of each other according to previously defined criteria. The Volkswagen Amarok won the IPUA in 2010 and so becomes the only pick-up to win this accolade for a second time.

Locally, Volkswagen Philippines has yet to make a final decision as to whether they will offer the Amarok. However, it’s understood that they have done market studies as to its feasibility. The government’s decision to exempt pickup trucks under the TRAIN Act may also spur Volkswagen Philippines to offer this award-winning pick-up here.