VW Amarok gets new Atacama special edition

VW's Amarok pick-up is already a go-anywhere vehicle, but the Ford Ranger rival is now getting more serious with this 'Atacama' special edition, on sale now for £26,850 (excl. VAT).

Don't get too excited though, as it isn't getting any hardcore off-road weaponry to tackle the South American desert. Instead it adds some style upgrades and piles on extra kit to keep you warm and comfortable wherever you are.

Exterior upgrades include Atacama side decals, black painted rear styling bars, a black rear bumper and 19-inch 'Cantera' alloys. Bi-xenon headlamps and a protective coated loadbed round off the changes. Three colours are available: white, blue and black.

Inside there's leather upholstery, a new multi-function steering wheel, sat-nav, Bluetooth and dual-zone climate control added to the standard Amarok's feature list. 

It's only available with the 177bhp 2.0-litre BiTDI diesel engine, equipped with a six-speed manual and selectable four-wheel drive or an eight-speed autobox and permanent four-wheel drive. Around 500 examples are expected to be sold.

Now read our in-depth review of the Amarok's rival: the Mitsubishi L200.