Volkswagen is reintroducing its entry to Europe’s expanding pickup market. The second-generation Amarok, based on the Ford Ranger’s latest model, will have more ground clearance than the previous model and will come with new tech features.
The Wolfsburg-based company has published sketches that suggest the Amarok is not a badge-engineered Ranger. Although styling cues can be exaggerated in sketches it appears that the truck will sport a brand-specific design. This includes angular headlights linked by a lightbar (a feature that’s expanding across the Volkswagen range), punched wheel arches, and sharper-looking lighting out the back. The current model’s tailgate has been fitted with plastic emblems. “AMAROK” lettering has been stamped into the sheet metal.
The Ranger will share most of the underpinnings, but this will bring about significant changes. Volkswagen stated that the next Amarok will be approximately 210 inches in length, which is a 4-inch increase to give rear-seat passengers greater legroom. It will also be wider. Volkswagen said that it will have more ground clearance than the original model.
European pickup buyers, like their American counterparts are looking for a daily driver and not a tractor-like workhorse. The next Amarok will reflect this trend, with a cabin made with better materials and a wider range of electronic driving aids. However, not all buyers require a truck. There will be bare-bones trims available.
The 3.0-liter turbodiesel-powered V6 engine in the Amarok will be redesigned to produce more power. This powerful engine produces 255 horsepower and 428 pound-feet torque at its highest setting. The first generation Amarok can haul 7,700 pounds if properly equipped. These figures could increase for the second-generation model. You can be confident that a four-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission will once again be available on most markets.
The second-generation Volkswagen Amarok, which was built in South Africa will make its international debut in the next few months. Despite numerous patent applications and rumors, there is no indication that the model will ever be sold in America.
2022 Kia Stinger GT-Line First Drive Review
The Kia Stinger was introduced with two engines. One is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 255 horsepower and the other is a twin-turbo V6 that produces 365 horsepower. The four-cylinder had the excellent chassis, but it was outpowered by its bigger sibling with two additional cylinders and a turbo. The four-cylinder’s lower power output was not the only reason. It also had a slow response and was unremarkable. The 2022 Kia Stinger has a 2.5-liter engine. It makes more power and is more suitable for a sedan such as the Stinger. The new 2.5 is a better choice than the V6.
All GT trims have the V6 engine, which has been slightly modified for 2022. However, the GT-Line trim only features the four-cylinder and vice versa. The 2.5’s output is 311 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. This is a significant increase of 45 horsepower and 51 pounds-feet over the old engine. It makes the Stinger GT-Line faster than its predecessor. The manufacturer lists the 0-60 mph time at 5.2 seconds, compared to 5.9 for the older car.
2022 Kia Stinger GT-Line
The fuel economy also improves but not in the same way. The Stinger GT-Line’s standard rear-wheel drive achieves 22 mpg city, 32 highway, and 25 combined. Although the combined city and highway ratings were identical, the previous four-cylinder got only 29 mpg. All-wheel drive reduces fuel consumption to 21 in cities, 29 on the highway, and 24 combined driving. This is the same as before. The V6 gets 20 mpg when combined.
The new 2.5-liter is much more lively than its predecessor throughout the power range. It doesn’t feel sluggish when it is out of boost. The increased displacement means that it feels more responsive and builds faster. It starts up smoothly too. You will feel the V6’s turbos. Although it’s thrilling, it can be distracting, especially if your goal is to be precise and smooth. The four-cylinder’s smoothness and controllability is very nice. The four-cylinder also feels more powerful in the higher rev range, while the old engine seemed to lose power quicker. The engine is well matched by the eight-speed automatic, which has smooth and quick shifts. It’s very close to ZF eight-speed in power.
The eager, pointed nose complements the four-pot’s cheerful personality. The nose is lighter because it has two fewer cylinders, one twin-cam head and one turbo. The Stinger GT-Line has a greater ability to detect apexes. It feels more balanced than if the car’s back end was lighter. It has a great chassis that communicates well and is paired with precise steering. It makes it easy to see the rear end getting out of the car, and it will gladly do so if you ask.
2022 Kia Stinger GT-Line
It’s not perfect. It still has a low voice quality. The brakes are effective but difficult to control. It’s possible to push the pedal too hard when approaching a stoplight. This can cause a somewhat inelegant halt. They’re not a deal-breaker.
The Stinger also has great equipment. You don’t lose any style with the GT-Line. It looks identical to its V6 sibling, except for the wheel designs. It also features Kia’s larger 10.25-inch infotainment screen with the most recent Kia user interface, which can be found in Telluride, Carnival and other cities. It has proximity entry, push-button start and heated leather seats. Dual-zone automatic climate control is also available. Wireless phone charging is also included. It also features the latest versions of Kia’s adaptive cruise control with lanes centering, rear cross traffic alert, and automatic emergency brake. All of this is included at $37,365. This is a substantial increase of $32,227 over the previous year’s model but you get significantly more performance. For reference, the four-cylinder still costs $7,600 less than the base V6.
The Stinger GT-Line is a significant improvement on the base model. It is faster, more efficient, and much more fun. It’s also more fun to drive and has a lower cost of ownership. This makes it a better choice than the GT, which is more powerful, but costs more. The Stinger is not the cheapest, but it could be the best.
