After teasing the next-generation Volkswagen Amarok MkII dual-cab ute last week, the talented graphic artists at Russian website Kolesa have come up with this striking rendering of the German pick-up.
Taking the inspiration from VW's official 2022 model-year Amarok sketches and bringing photo-realism into the frame, we now have our best look yet at the second-generation Volkswagen Amarok ute, which is scheduled to drop in 2022.
While the roof and doors appear relatively similar to the current Amarok ute, which is now 10-years old, the front end design is modern-day VW through-and-through, the rear end getting a tasteful LED brake light array as well.
The new 2022 Volkswagen Amarok is based on the same Aussie-developed platform as the next-generation T7-series Ford Ranger, itself set to debut in 2021.
The sharing of development costs will help VW save cash, but will also mean the German Amarok MkII ute is off to a very good start, given the Ranger's pedigree (it will also underpin the new Bronco SUV).
As part of the platform-sharing deal, Ford will gain access to Volkswagen's MEB platform, a dedicated EV architecture that will help Ford kick-start its small European EV portfolio.
Equipment levels and technology options are not yet known for the next Amarok, but it's all-but certain to offer improved technology, luxury and utility.
Both Ford and Volkswagen have confirmed they won't offer hybrid powertrains – something arch-rival Toyota HiLux will offer from 2025 at the latest.
The Volkswagen Amarok MkII is likely to be powered by four-cylinder and V6 turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines and could even be offered in the USA for the first time, as the brand has registered the Amarok name there.
While the Mercedes-Benz X-Class was an abject failure (VW even mocked the Benz ute) the Volkswagen Amarok has carved out a niche for itself in the Australian new car market.
With Ford Ranger DNA coursing through its veins from 2022, the next-gen dual-cab ute could eclipse its predecessor's popularity.
Before the next Amarok arrives, however, there will be a glut of utes arriving in Oz, including the new Isuzu D-MAX and Mazda BT-50.