Walkinshaw-tuned Volkswagen Amarok W580 2021 sells out in minutes

---

Volkswagen’s decision to sell 30 units of the Walkinshaw-tuned Amarok W580S ute online has turned up trumps, with the first batch selling out in minutes.

Alongside their new ute, the first thirty Amarok W580S customers will receive an expenses-paid trip to the Walkinshaw factory where the dual cab is sub-assembled. 

REVIEW: Read our review of the Volkswagen Amarok W580S here.

The earlybird buyers will also get a Walkinshaw Track Day Experience where they will have the chance to hit the track in a wide range of racecars on and off the road.

Volkswagen Australia director of commercial vehicles Ryan Davies said he was not surprised the Walkinshaw tuned utes sold out so fast, and that an additional 12 people were able to place pre-orders for the W580S before Volkswagen successfully shut down the online orders.

“The W-Series Amarok is a car made specifically for Australian fans, and we’re thrilled with the support it’s getting. Now the fastest ute in the segment is also among the fastest selling,” Davies said.

Volkswagen has had tremendous success with online car sales this year, with the T6.1-based California camper van selling all 60 units in a matter of days, adding to a total of over 500 vehicles sold online by Volkswagen Australia in 2020.

The W-Range packs performance and visual modification that undoubtedly place them at the top of the Amarok range and Volkswagen have priced the models accordingly.

At launch, two Walkinshaw-customised Amarok variants are available, with the W580 starting at $71,990 before on road costs and the higher trim W580S priced at $79,990 before on road costs.

Based on the outgoing Amarok Highline spec, the W580 and W580S gain Walkinshaw modifications that include wheel arch extensions allowing for bigger Pirelli Scorpion ATR tyres that stretch out to 275mm, rolling on 20-inch ‘Clayton’ wheels – with the name paying homage to the historical home of Volkswagen Australia and the tuning house itself.

To help tackle off-roading with ease, the front of the Amarok has been raised and the dampers have been tuned all round, while a handy tyre pressure monitoring system has also been fitted.

Some might be disappointed to hear there has been no added power to the W-Series but with 190kW of power – and 200kW on overboost – plus 580Nm of torque from its turbodiesel V6, the Amarok is already the most powerful ute in its class.

Walkinshaw has also made sure you will stand out from the sea of regular Amaroks, with a redesigned upper grille, front bumper inserts with LED fog lamps, along with branded Art Velour seat trim and floor mats on the inside.

If that’s not enough and you’ve still got an extra $8,000 kicking around, look to the W580S which adds a tuned exhaust, some aggressive looking bonnet decals, styling tweaks to the front bumper and a styling bar.

A practical five-piece tray liner has also been added and the inside has been given a bit more love; with a Vienna leather interior trim and 14 way adjustable heated front seats.

If you aren’t lucky enough to score a W-Series ute, or simply just don’t want to wait, from 2021 onwards Volkswagen has replaced their Highline grade with the Amarok Aventura TDI580 that packs many of the same features as the Walkinshaw versions for the lower price of $72,490 before on roads.

The Aventura includes the same potent turbodiesel V6 as W-Series, along with 14-way adjustable heated front seats, a Nappa leather interior trim and a molded rear styling bar. The styling is more conservative, picking up on the trend set by the Amarok Highline and Ultimate grades offered with the V6 since the launch of the six-cylinder Amarok in 2017.