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Specially configured for the popular extreme sport of‘freestyle kayaking’, this impressive show car illustrates how versatilepick-up configurations can be created.
All aspects of the Amarok Canyon concept being shown inGeneva are designed to meet the requirements of this extreme sport – from thepick-up’s running gear to details of the cargo box. “We are using this extremeconcept to illustrate one of the many diverse uses of the Amarok. By tuning itsdesign to an extreme sport, we are bringing the original DNA of the Amarok intofocus,” emphasises Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, spokesperson for the Board ofManagement for the Volkswagen Brand and Head of Development at VolkswagenCommercial Vehicles.
The concept vehicle is significantly taller and wider thanthe production Amarok, and its colour is also more exotic. The pick-up’s body,which shimmers in the three-layer effects of its bright ‘Baladi Orange’ paint,was raised by 40 mm with a body lift kit; and when the tyres are included, theconcept is a full 85 mm taller than the production model. The freestyle pick-upalso has auxiliary headlights mounted on its roof, and additional visualaccents are provided by the smoked rear lights and the colour-contrastingunderbody protection. Two electrically deployed tread plates make it easy forall occupants to step into and out of the vehicle, despite the raised rideheight.
The tread plates were designed to be visually unobtrusive,and they retract when the vehicle is moving to maintain the standard AmarokCanyon’s traditional high level of off-road capability. As noted, the conceptcar’s width has also increased to accommodate outdoor activities. The wheelhousings were widened by 35 mm on each side to make room for the big AT tyres,size 275/65 R 18, mounted on ‘Durban’ type wheels painted in ‘High GlossAdamantium Dark’.
The two carbon fibre kayaks are securely mounted to thecargo floor: at the rear, the floor is designed with two formed cut-outs withsoft padding, while the kayak bows are mounted on a styling bar in ‘High GlossAdamantium Dark’ with straps for firmly securing the boats. The paddles arefirmly latched in place on the inside surface of the easy-to-operate tailgate,ready to grab. All other gear – white-water helmets, flotation devices andrafting shoes – are also stowed securely: the helmets in nets on the front wallof the cargo bed, and the rest of the gear in smaller boxes that can be lockedwith watertight lids.
Inside, a special colour scheme was used with many detailsand new accents. The leather seats have two-tone styling: the seating surfacesare in ‘sterling’ colour, while the head restraints and side supports areelegantly offset in ‘adamant’ colour. The decorative seams on the seats take onthe orange-red colour of the body. This colour is also reflected in numerousother details such as in the seams of the three-spoke steering wheel and gearshift lever trim, the safety belts and the air outlets. Housed in a cowl in thecockpit are three auxiliary instruments. They show the climbing and tilt anglesof the Amarok, which gives the driver key information for extra safety onextreme off-road drives.
To enable maximum off-road capability, the Amarok conceptvehicle is powered by a torque-strong 2.0 TDI bi-turbo with 180 PS, whichprovides a maximum torque of 400 Newton metres over engine speeds ranging from1,500-2,250 rpm. The switchable 4MOTION all-wheel drive system – together witha reduction gearbox and differential lock at the rear axle – ensures effectivepower transfer to the wheels even in the toughest off-road conditions.
Source: automotivetv.net