The 190 kW version of the Volkswagen Amarok V6 is finally set to launch in South Africa and we’ve unearthed local prices for what will be the most powerful double-cab bakkie on the market.

From what we can tell, two high-output versions of the V6 engine will be offered in South Africa. Both feature a 3,0-litre TDI unit delivering a whopping 190 kW and 580 N.m, along with standard 4Motion all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. That's enough, says VW, for a sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 7,6 seconds.

So, how much are you looking at here? Well, the Amarok 3,0 TDI 190 kW 4Motion Auto Highline is priced from R908 300, with options limited to heavy-duty leaf springs (R1 300) and Milford 19-inch alloy wheels (R12 700). The Amarok 3,0 TDI 190 kW 4Motion Auto Extreme, meanwhile, comes in at R974 600 (the only extra being a sports bar in body colour for R15 000).

Lower-powered V6 oil-burner variants remain for now (in Highline, Highline Plus, Extreme and Canyon form), churning out 165 kW and 550 N.m. The local line-up also includes 2,0 BiTDI engine options, generating 132 kW and 420 N.m (and available in Highline, Highline Plus and Dark Label guise).

Initial plans were for the 190 kW Amarok V6 – which is built at the firm's Pacheco factory in Argentina and was revealed as long ago as April 2018 – to hit the South African market at some point in 2019, but in May of that year the Wolfsburg-based firm’s local arm confirmed the launch date had been pushed back.

The high-output engine matches the Mercedes-Benz X350d in terms of peak power (although offers 200 kW on overboost for short bursts), with its maximum torque figure besting that of Benz's bakkie by some 30 N.m. Despite production of the X-Class having been scrapped, Mercedes-Benz SA still lists the bakkie on its local website, with the flagship X350d 4Matic Power priced from R985 113.

Of course, a second-generation Amarok is currently being developed and will be built alongside the next Ranger at Ford’s assembly plant in Silverton, South Africa.

Check out pricing for VW SA’s rejigged Amarok range below…

Pricing:
Volkswagen Amarok 2,0 BiTDI 132 kW Auto Highline: R653 300
Volkswagen Amarok 2,0 BiTDI 132 kW 4Motion Highline: R693 700
Volkswagen Amarok 2,0 BiTDI 132 kW 4Motion Auto Highline: R711 200
Volkswagen Amarok 2,0 BiTDI 132 kW Auto Highline Plus: R718 200
Volkswagen Amarok 2,0 BiTDI 132 kW 4Motion Auto Dark Label: R753 700
Volkswagen Amarok 2,0 BiTDI 132 kW 4Motion Auto Highline Plus: R774 200
Volkswagen Amarok 3,0 TDI 165 kW 4Motion Auto Highline: R807 200
Volkswagen Amarok 3,0 TDI 165 kW 4Motion Auto Canyon: R865 600
Volkswagen Amarok 3,0 TDI 165 kW 4Motion Auto Highline Plus: R868 400
Volkswagen Amarok 3,0 TDI 190 kW 4Motion Auto Highline: R908 300
Volkswagen Amarok 3,0 TDI 165 kW 4Motion Auto Extreme: R920 800
Volkswagen Amarok 3,0 TDI 190 kW 4Motion Auto Extreme: R974 600

Original article from Car