The new flagship Volkswagen Amarok W600 has been priced at $91,990 before on-road costs, making it $300 more expensive than the Ford Ranger Raptor and the most expensive mid-size dual-cab ute on sale in Australia, apart from the Ranger Super Duty.
Due to arrive in showrooms in September, the first Walkinshaw-developed version of the current-generation Amarok, which is based on the Ford Ranger introduced in 2022, follows in the footsteps the Amarok W580 launched in 2020. Four versions of the original Walkinshaw Amarok were offered, culminating in the W580SE farewell edition.
The W600 expands the 2026 Amarok lineup to six model grades. The range starts with the Amarok Style TSI, powered by a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and priced from $73,740 before on-road costs, while the previously top-shelf Aventura V6 is priced from $82,990 before on-road costs.
Pricing for the new W600 has been revealed only days after the Amarok Dark Label V6 was announced, priced from $76,990 before on-road costs and based on the entry-level Style grade.
Despite being priced close to the Ranger Raptor, the W600 has been developed by the Melbourne-based Walkinshaw Automotive Group as a driver’s ute with a focus on sealed-road capability, rather than the V6 petrol-powered Ford’s high-speed off-road prowess.
To that end, the W600 uses the same 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine, 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive system as found in other V6 Amarok variants, but adds a suite of chassis upgrades to sharpen its dynamics.
“We don’t believe that [the Ford Ranger Raptor] gives us what our customers were asking for. Our customers were asking for a ute that is great to drive on the road, that is refined, that feels Euro and premium,” Michael Cenci, Product Manager for the Amarok, previously toldCarExpert.
“That product is also compromised in terms of towing and payload, which is something we’re not seeing on this vehicle.”
W600 upgrades include 20×10-inch flow-formed dark-matte alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport SUV tyres, uniquely calibrated Koni shock absorbers featuring Frequency Selective Damping, and a thicker 22mm rear anti-roll bar finished in Lapiz Blue.
Walkinshaw, which also built the Ford Ranger Raptor that Ford Australia used to win three consecutive Finke Desert Races, has also recalibrated the W600’s steering for improved response and cornering stability.
Exterior changes include unique front-end styling, a W600-specific grille insert, a signature light bar between the LED Matrix headlights, electrically deployable side steps, dual side-exit exhaust outlets, and Walkinshaw badging.
The cabin, based on the Style variant, features Savona leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, embroidered head restraints, and W600-branded sports pedals, sill plates and floor mats, plus a Harman Kardon premium audio system.
The W600 has a 3500kg braked towing capacity and 954kg of payload. Standard safety equipment includes a 360-degree surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, trailer assist, and other Volkswagen towing technologies.
On top of its $91,990 starting price, metallic paint is a $1100 option, while an electrically operated tonneau cover is also available for an extra $3450.