The new one Volkswagen Amarok share its platform and most engines – excluding various petrol options – with the new version Ford Ranger. This has been detailed.
But the similarity of the two utes doesn’t mean they can’t look different inside and out – as we see to a lesser extent with the Isuzu D-Max and it Mazda BT-50 spinoff.
Common elements include the windshield, side and rear windows, roof, door handles, and mirror covers. But there are also a lot of differences.
THAN: 2023 Volkswagen Amarok revealed, everything you need to know
As you can see from the sides of these two premium versions, the bonnet and grille designs are different, as are the headlights, daytime running lights and bumpers.
There also appear to be different wheel arch shapes (Volkswagen’s is square) and sculpting above them, although the shape of the door covers is difficult to distinguish – perhaps the Ford’s looks a bit wider.
The sculpting along the sides of each tub is more distinct and there are different seaplane and sport bar designs based on the one you choose.
The taillight shapes are different, with VW’s C-shaped units being thinner, and while the rear end shares the same handlebars, they have different metal stamping and (obviously) branding.
On the inside, it looks like the gear lever, headlight control strip and indicator stalk are shared, as well as vertical touchscreen hardware.
But the screens will have a brand-specific interface and software, and the cabins will look different with different steering wheel, bottom switchgear (rocker in VW, push button in Ford), cup placement, hole vents, panel molds and dash plastic patterns.
A quick reminder: the Ranger and Amarok will both offer Ford-made single- and twin-turbo 2.0-liter diesels, and the 3.0-liter V6 diesel will also be sourced from Ford.
The Ranger Raptor will offer a single twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine, while Volkswagen Australia says it will offer a Ford engine that won’t be available in the Ranger here – petrol EcoBoost 2.3 liter four.
THAN: Volkswagen Amarok 2023: Australia is interested in 2.3-liter turbocharged petrol
Slide the line to see the difference
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