2023 Volkswagen Amarok wheels and arches teased

The drip, drip, drip of teasers for the second-generation Volkswagen Amarok continues ahead of the ute’s full debut on July 7, 2022, European time.

Overnight the German automaker published photos showing the Amarok’s squared-off front wheel arch, as well as one of the ute’s wheel designs.

Under the skin the Amarok is based on the latest Ford Ranger, but Volkswagen has invested significant effort and money in differentiating the exterior and interior from its platform-mate.

From the teasers revealed so far, we know the Amarok’s front end will have rectangular headlights and an overall design that’s an evolution of today’s ute. LED headlights will be standard, and matrix LED lighting will be available on high-spec models.

The rectangular wheel arches revealed today seem to be influenced by the Taos and Atlas crossovers. Sketches indicate the rear will feature similarly squared-off arches.

At the back, the Volkswagen will have a unique tail-light design and a tailgate boldly emblazoned with ‘Amarok’.

To put even more distance between the Volkswagen and Ford, the Amarok will have a unique dashboard design. While the Amarok will be available with the Ranger’s 12.0-inch portrait touchscreen, the German ute will have a line of aircraft-style physical switches underneath the big display.

Under the bonnet the Amarok will available with the Ranger’s 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, and it’s likely the Volkswagen will also use Ford 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel mills and 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol turbo.

Like the Ranger, a significant portion of the design and engineering were done in Australia, with Volkswagen embedding a team at Ford Australia’s design studios.

Australia-bound versions of the new Amarok will be built in South Africa, whereas today’s ute is built in Argentina. The Ford Ranger continues to be sourced from Thailand.

MORE: Everything Volkswagen Amarok