The Volkswagen Amarok is moving to an almost entirely V6-powered lineup for 2026, with one exception.
As CarExpertexclusively 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.
That leaves the dual-cab 4×4 ute lineup powered by a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 – badged as the TDI600 – plus a single TSI452 variant employing a 2.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine.
Customer deliveries of model year 2026 (MY26) Amarok vehicles are scheduled to begin in late April or early May, while the new W600 flagship has previously been confirmed for a local arrival in the third quarter (July to September) of 2026.
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The TSI452 petrol engine is now available only in Style trim, instead of top-spec Aventura guise; Style is now the entry-level Amarok grade, with the axing of the Core and Life. The TSI452 Style will be uniquely available with 20-inch ‘Bendigo’ alloy wheels, a $1290 option.
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.
Pricing and specifications for the MY26 Range lineup will be announced closer to launch, though Volkswagen says it will offer “clearer differentiation between grades and reduced complexity in option packages”.
Joining the range for 2026 is a Dark Label limited edition, of which just 200 units will come to Australia, all powered by the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6.
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.
Previewed by Volkswagen earlier this year, it features identical 184kW/600Nm outputs to the rest of the turbo-diesel V6 Amarok range. However, like previous W-Series versions of the original Amarok, it will receive upgrades aimed at improving its dynamics, including Koni frequency-selective dampers and 20-inch forged alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres.
All Amaroks in Australia feature a dual-cab body, a permanent all-wheel drive system and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The MY26 lineup is as follows:
- 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.
