The 2023 Volkswagen Amarok is a mid-size truck that’s starting to look pretty good. However, the new Volkswagen Amarok could just be another cool version of the Ford Ranger that we can’t have. We hope the VW Amarok makes it to the United States. 

Is the 2021 Volkswagen Amarok coming to America? 

Maybe! The 2023 Volkswagen Amorak will share tons of parts with the Ford Ranger. But that doesn’t exactly indicate that we will get this truck in America. There are a few Ranger variants, such as the Ranger Raptor, that we can’t have. 

According to Auto Evolution, the VW Amorak was introduced 11 years ago, and it is now scheduled to receive a second generation for the 2023 model year. This truck will be based on the all-new Ford Ranger. 

While the Toyota Hilux remains as the best-selling truck in Australia, the Ford Ranger is a close second-place option. The Volkswagen Amorak hasn’t been doing too hot because it’s quite a bit more expensive than rivals. It looks like the 2021 VW Amarok starts around $38,490 while the Hilux begins at about $24,000. 

What do we know about the new VW Amarok? 

The 2023 Volkswagen Amarok will is based on the incredibly popular Ford Ranger, but it should retain Volkswagen DNA. Personnel from VW went to Australia in 2019 to work with the local Ford design and engineering departments to ensure that the new ute is more than just a re-badged truck. 

According to Cars Guide, the VW Amarok is expected to have the 2.0-liter twin-turbo four-cylinder engine that’s found in the Ranger. This may serve as the base model option because the VW 3.0 TDI V6 engine is also rumored as an option. 

The Volkswagen Amarok will ride on the same platform as the Ranger and share suspension components. The powertrains are expected to be paired with a six-speed manual transmission and a ten-speed automatic transmission. It should also be available in 4×2 or 4×4. 

An off-roading variant is expected to come out along with a plug-in hybrid option. The hybrid may pair a turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with at least one electric motor. But currently, information is scarce, so we have to wait for the debut in a couple of months to learn more. 

What about the Ford Ranger Raptor? 

While we would love to see the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok here in America, we also want the Ford Ranger Raptor to come across the seas. According to Motor Authority, a totally redesigned Ford Ranger is expected to debut in 2022. 

The 2022 Ford Ranger is expected to be a high-performance truck with V6 power. These clues have gotten our hopes up for the 2022 Ford Raptor Ranger. It will ride on the same T6 unibody frame as the Bronco. It has a larger size and could support hybrid technology. 

Australia has the current Ford Ranger Raptor that never made it to America because it was developed with a single diesel powertrain option. But the 2022 Ranger Raptor could use the 2.7-turbocharged V6 engine with 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque.