Volkswagen's Version Of The Ford Everest Is The Amarok Pickup

The Amarok pickup has undergone a significant transformation, shifting from its Volkswagen roots to adopting the Ford Ranger platform. Notably, Ford also markets an SUV variant known as the Everest, a counterpart VW currently lacks.

During the truck's development, there was a fascinating exploration by the design team into the idea of an SUV version carrying the Amarok badge.

Albert Kirzinger, Head of Design at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, shared an official design sketch on LinkedIn, offering a glimpse into what could have been an SUV-ified Amarok. This concept, however, was shelved, and the decision paved the way for the upcoming Scout brand, a lineup of robust electric pickup trucks and SUVs slated for a 2026 release.

The Amarok SUV concept considered retaining combustion engines, potentially making it a more cost-effective option. In contrast, the new Scout models are committed to an exclusively electric future. Ford's SUV version, the Everest, is absent from the US market to avoid clashing with the popular Bronco. On the other hand, VW's unibody Atlas is designed for on-road use, suggesting a potential market for a truck-based SUV.

Despite initial interest in an Amarok SUV, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles board member Lars Krause ruled out the idea in July 2022. Subsequently, there has been limited news about the Everest prototype spotted testing in the US. Ford, cautious of competition with the Bronco, has ruled out the Everest for the US market.

The fate of an Amarok SUV in the US remains uncertain, but the forthcoming Scout models aim to cater to adventure seekers with a focus on zero-emission capabilities. While Ford assembles the Amarok in South Africa, the first-generation model based on VW underpinnings continues production in Argentina, with updates planned later this year, showcasing VW's ongoing commitment to the truck.

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