VWSA is resorting to petrol power to further build upon the 15.5 percent share it's carved out of the double cab bakkie pie since launching its Amarok last year.
Although petrol-engined double cabs remain a small niche, VWSA is at least tackling it with a small but sophisticated turbopetrol motor - the first of its kind in this segment and one that's likely to prove highly economical by segment standards.
The 1984cc motor is endowed with direct fuel injection (with an operating pressure of 2760psi), a variable vane turbocharger and four valves per cylinder.
It puts out 118kW between 3800 and 5500rpm and 300Nm between 1600 and 3750rpm and, according to VW, it'll sprint from standstill to 100km/h in 9.9 seconds (3.6 seconds quicker than the 90kW TDI) and reach a top speed of 180km/h. Claimed combined fuel consumption amounts to 9.6 litres per 100km, versus 7.7 for the TDI.
As with the oil-burning engines, the 2.0 TSI channels its power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. VW also promises that an automatic gearbox is planned for the third quarter of next year.
At this stage the petrol engine is only available in Trendline specification, which means it packs the basics like air conditioning, a four-speaker CD/MP3 audio system, cruise control, trip computer, electric windows and mirrors, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, dual front airbags, traction control and off-road ABS.
THE BILL:
TRENDLINE:
2.0 TSI 118kW 4x2 - R301 400
2.0 TDI 90kW 4x2 - R328 400
2.0 TDI 90kW 4Motion - R377 300
HIGHLINE:
2.0 BiTDI 120kW 4x2 - R354 800
2.0 BiTDI 120kW 4Motion - R403 700
ALTERNATIVES:
Ford Ranger 2.5 XL DC (122kW) - R259 400
Isuzu KB240 DC LE (94kW) - R266 200
Nissan NP300 2.4 DC (105kW) - R282 250
Mitsubishi Triton 2.4 DC (97kW) - R285 100
Toyota Hilux 2.7 DC Raider (118kW) - R312 600