First batch of Volkswagen Amarok W580 sold out

Any suggestions the new 2021 Volkswagen Amarok W580 would not attract significant early interest from buyers due to the Aussie-developed sports ute’s top-shelf price of $79,990 (plus on-road costs) have proven unfounded, with 42 units snapped up in an online pre-sale event held today.

Volkswagen had originally announced that 30 examples of the W580S variant – the flagship of the so-called W-Series Amarok developed in collaboration with the Walkinshaw Automotive Group – would be made available in the special online event, which will come with an all-expenses-paid ‘Walkinshaw Experience’.

This will include a tour at the specialty vehicles and conversion outfit’s Melbourne factory and a ‘Walkinshaw Andretti United’ track experience.

However, Volkswagen Australia said the first allocation of 30 units was sold out within five minutes of the pre-sale event opening online at 12:00pm today, and that “due to overwhelming demand” an additional 12 pre-orders were taken before the system could shut down.

“We’ve known we’re onto something with Walkinshaw for some time now, and today’s result is just proof of that,” said Volkswagen’s commercial vehicles chief Ryan Davies.

“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.”

Volkswagen said further stock will be available both online and from the national dealer network “in the coming months”, however no further examples of the W580 will be offered with the Walkinshaw tour and track day event.

As carsales has reported, the $80K Volkswagen Amarok W580S is one of the most expensive one-tonne dual-cab utes on the market, standing as a more expensive proposition than its closest rival, the Ford Ranger Raptor that starts at $77,190 plus ORCs.

The special-edition “GT-tuned” 4x4 dual-cab is also available for $71,990 plus ORCs in regular W580 guise.

First deliveries will take place in April 2021.

Headline features on the W-Series include a unique suspension tune including MTV twin-tube shock absorbers front and rear, custom twin exhaust system with side pipes at the rear wheels and branded tips (580S only), and special 20x9.0-inch dark ‘Clayton’ forged alloy wheels with Pirelli Scorpion 275/50R20 ATR tyres.

This larger-diameter rubber increases the ride height, while the front suspension has been lifted by 40mm at the front axle line “to give the vehicle a more aggressive overall stance”.

There are wheel-arch extensions to match the new wheel and tyre spec, wrapping into the front-end which is dominated by a Walkinshaw-designed grille and lower bumper flanked by bi-Xenon headlights up top and with LED fog lights integrated below.

There are no changes to the muscular 580Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine as seen in other 580 models, producing up to 200kW of power on overboost and matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission and 4MOTION 4x4 system with Torsen differential.

The big question now will be just how much interest Volkswagen can garner in the 580S without the added incentive of the “money-can’t-buy” Walkinshaw Experience.