Volkswagen creating Amarok-based EV off-roader – report

Volkswagen might use the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok’s T6 platform for a rugged electrical off-roader.

Autocar reviews plans are afoot to introduce an electrical T6-based off-roader, comparable in vein to the by no means publicly revealed and ridiculously named ID. Ruggdzz idea.

This idea was proven to media in 2019 with a proposed launch date of 2023, however only a yr later Volkswagen model CEO Ralf Brandstätter confirmed it had been “put within the drawer”.

“That’s not to say it gained’t be constructed, however I don’t assume you’ll see it quickly,” mentioned Brandstätter on the time, noting the corporate had extra essential tasks in growth. He additionally confirmed the retro ID. Buggy had been cancelled.

Ford Australia is accountable for ongoing growth of the T6 platform, which has already been confirmed to help not solely plug-in hybrid but in addition electrical powertrains.

An electrical T6-based SUV would reportedly forego the rear leaf springs of the Ranger and Amarok and coil springs of the Everest and Ranger Raptor for a multi-link rear suspension.

Officers have advised Volkswagen such a mannequin would additionally require at the very least a 110kWh battery to ship the towing functionality and vary anticipated of an electrical off-roader.

Design proposals reportedly have the off-roader bearing a detailed resemblance to the Amarok, inside and outside.

Volkswagen has beforehand confirmed it’s working with Ford on electrifying the T6 platform, with an electrical Amarok understood to be in growth for an introduction someday round 2026. It’s additionally weighing a plug-in hybrid model.

Ford has a plug-in hybrid Ranger due in 2024 and has trademarked the Ranger Lightning identify, suggesting a full-electric model is coming.

It’s unclear the place Volkswagen’s mooted electrical ute and off-roader sit in relation to the corporate’s resurrection of the Scout nameplate, for use on an electrical ute and off-roader designed for the North American market in thoughts.

The primary idea variations of the ute and SUV might be revealed in 2023, with manufacturing to kick off in 2026.

It could be uncommon for Volkswagen to develop an electrical Amarok and SUV spinoff plus the Scout ute and SUV with out having some type of shared underpinnings, however the firm has mentioned simply that.

Scout fashions will use a brand new platform, as a substitute of T6, and may very well be constructed by Foxconn within the US.

Automotive Information Europe reported phrase from world head of the Volkswagen model Thomas Schäfer final November that there aren’t any plans for this “Rugged SUV” platform for use, at the very least not this decade, for a Volkswagen-branded electrical ute.

“For the time being, our deal with the lineup doesn’t embody it,” mentioned Mr Schäfer.

“For the time being, we’ve a transparent lineup all through the second half of this decade. Then once more, within the American market, if you don’t play in sure segments, then you need to keep in a sure market share space. However the query of [VW’s new Rugged SUV platform] is just not our precedence in the mean time.”