Volkswagen Amarok Power-Pickup Concept Debuts at 2013 Worthersee
Volkswagen presented the Amarok Power-Pickup concept at the 2013 Worthersee event, featuring a 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine and a lowered, sport-inspired design.
Volkswagen took the covers off the Amarok Power-Pickup concept at the 2013 Worthersee event, introducing a single-cab show truck aimed squarely at the performance end of the pickup segment. The concept swapped the production Amarok’s usual diesel for a more powerful 3.0-litre V6 TDI, producing 268 bhp and 600 Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Amarok Power-Pickup concept was built on the single-cab platform, setting it apart from the double-cab Amarok models more common in the UK and Europe. With 268 bhp on tap, the concept’s performance figures put it ahead of most production pickups of the time. Volkswagen claimed a 0-100 km/h time of 7.9 seconds, which was quick for a vehicle in this class in 2013.
Performance and styling upgrades
Volkswagen’s Worthersee show vehicles are known for their visual impact, and the Amarok Power-Pickup followed suit. The concept featured widened wheelarches, a suspension lowered by 80mm, and 22-inch alloy wheels. Larger air intakes, a carbon fibre rear diffuser and tinted taillights added to the aggressive look. Xenon headlights and a bespoke paint scheme completed the exterior package.
Inside, the Amarok Power-Pickup was fitted with leather sports seats and an upgraded infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen. Volkswagen also installed a 500-watt subwoofer, targeting a younger audience likely to appreciate both performance and audio upgrades. The interior treatment was more in line with a hot hatch than a traditional work truck.
Positioning and context
The Amarok Power-Pickup concept arrived at a time when Volkswagen was exploring new niches for its pickup. While the standard Amarok was pitched against models like the Ford Ranger, Nissan Navara and Toyota Hilux, the Power-Pickup concept suggested a possible move towards lifestyle and performance variants. It was not the first time Volkswagen used Worthersee to test public reaction to bolder Amarok ideas, but the V6 diesel and sports styling marked a clear shift from the production model’s utilitarian roots.
No production plans were announced for the Amarok Power-Pickup at launch. The concept’s engine and transmission, however, previewed the direction Volkswagen would later take with the Amarok V6 TDI variants that reached showrooms in the years following Worthersee. The Power-Pickup’s lowered stance and single-cab layout remained exclusive to the show truck.
Related developments
Volkswagen’s Worthersee concepts often preview elements that later influence production models. The Power-Pickup’s V6 diesel powertrain foreshadowed the Amarok V6 TDI, which would become a key part of the Amarok range. For more on the Amarok’s evolution, seeVW Unveils the New Pickup VW Amarok.
