2023 Volkswagen Amarok doesn't look like a Ranger

It’s been 9 months since Volkswagen last released a teaser image of the all-new Amarok pick-up truck. Based on the render, it will have a vastly different look compared to its predecessor. More importantly, the next-gen Amarok will be a collaboration between Ford and Volkswagen.

Ever since Ford already revealed the 2022 Ranger last month, all eyes are now at Volkswagen for the 2023 Amarok. However, it seems the German automaker is not yet ready to reveal the new pick-up truck.

Instead, the company decided to release new design renderings of the Amarok. But compared to the previous image which still looked like a concept, the new renderings show a more production-ready truck.

Starting with the exterior, it gets a more realistic front fascia design. Despite the water still hiding most of its front end, we can see that it gets a new front grille, along with a pair of sleek headlights. Also, present on the new pick-up truck is a distinct hood, flared wheel arches with body cladding, and more chiseled body panels.

All in all, it looks like Volkswagen was able to make the all-new Amarok its own pick-up despite being based on the Ranger.

For the first time, Volkswagen gave us a peek inside the Amarok’s more stylish interior. Based on the initial render, it appears to look similar to the Ranger’s cabin. There’s a large tablet-like screen in the middle of the dashboard paired with what looks like a digital instrument cluster.

But to make the Amarok distinct, Volkswagen changed the design of the dashboard panels, the aircon vents, and even the steering wheel. Perhaps the most obvious change is the center console as the design of the gear selector, the central cupholders, the electronic parking brake, and the drive mode selector are unique to the Amarok.

Once the 2023 Amarok debuts, we can expect it to come with similar powertrain options as the Ranger. That means a choice between a 2.0-liter EcoBlue turbo-diesel engine, a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost, as well as the new twin-turbo diesel V6.

Volkswagen has yet to say when they will officially launch the all-new Amarok. However, Volkswagen Philippines is reportedly looking to bring the pick-up truck in 2023. This means that the Amarok could make its global debut sometime in 2022 before it eventually arrives in the country.

Assuming Volkswagen does decide to bring it here, we’re curious just how the Ranger and Amarok will compare with one another.