When 'entry level' is on the third level

"SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media" (silentbutnotreallydeadly)
07/30/2017 at 20:49 • Filed to: None

Here’s the thing. Volkswagen Australia have just launched what they call their ‘entry level’ V6 TDi version of the Amarok dual cab ute.

It has already been available with a V6 for sometime but only in the higher trims, Highline (AU$59,990 plus on roads) and Ultimate (AU$67,990 plus on-roads). The V6 driveline is a bit of a weapon with 180 kW and 500 torques, 8 spd auto and AWD...basically more than anything else in the Oz mid size dual cab market currently.

But now we have the entry level Sportline...for ‘just’ AU$55, 490 plus on roads. Roughly US$44k. That’s one hell of an entry level...no matter what the specification is!

Granted you can get a cheaper (AU$44k to $48k) Core or Core Plus version of the Amarok with the 4 cylinder Tdi but to market this thing as entry level at the best part of sixty grand smacks of heroics in marketing...

Sure as hell is not my entry level. And I’m not sure that waiting fifteen years till it gets there is going to help me either...

DISCUSSION (12)

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
07/30/2017 at 20:57

That’s about what a Colorado with a Duramax will run you. And I’d venture its s better truck

not for canada - australian in disguise > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
07/30/2017 at 21:00

Isn’t the Amarok positioned as a more premium car than the Hilux/Colorado/Ranger anyways? More in the future X-Class’ territory than anything.

PS9 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
07/30/2017 at 21:03

American consumers would never know if it were sold here. It has a non-american badge on it, so it would basically be invisible.

Hey dad, let’s go check out the Amarok!
Ama...whut, son?
Amarok! It’s a truck VW sells!
VW? Which american brand is that? Never heard of’em.
That’s because they aren’t american-
-Which is why we won’t be goin’ over thar.
Dad...
Ah-ah. Not one more word outta you. I’ll be damned if I give my truck money over ta ISIS!
But, it’s not....*sigh* nevermind.

DipodomysDeserti > PS9
07/30/2017 at 22:17

All ol’ Billy Bob JR would have to do is tell his dad that VW lies to the EPA so as to get around emissions regulations and were started by the Nazis. VW is the most redneck car company around!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
07/30/2017 at 22:41

I thought all cars in Australia were insanely expensive compared to the US? Like, $44k USD for a truck that would be $30k here?

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > not for canada - australian in disguise
07/30/2017 at 22:53

Positioned perhaps but not priced. Hilux and Ranger are similarly priced to Amarok. Colorado perhaps is a tiny bit cheaper (certainly tops out lower down).

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
07/30/2017 at 23:09

Colorado with a Duramax in LTZ spec (only ZR1 is higher) is currently $AU$51,000 drive away with a 5 year warranty and 5 year roadside assistance. (Core Plus Amarok pricing is similar).

So about $10K cheaper than the entry level V6 Amarok...actually correct that...about $10K cheaper than the driveaway deal on the Highline V6 at the moment.

As for it being the better truck...don’t believe so. Best seller is the Hilux then Ranger but the industry benchmarks are typically Ranger and Amarok.

The Isuzu D-Max (twin under the skin of Colorado) is where the value buy is given the unstressed Isuzu 3.0L TDi driveline and the price of entry - AU$39k (US$31k) driveaway for base 4x4 manual or AU$45k (US$36k)
for premium trim version of same. Now that’s entry level...

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/30/2017 at 23:18

Not always...your Colorado is similarly priced to ours in comparable engines and trims.

Most of the comparable US assembled cars are cheaper...lets face it, our market is tiny so our purchasing power is small. Current US inventory is probably more than our entire annual sales (currently under 1.2 million units).

Probenja > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/30/2017 at 23:43

Prices in Chile are very similar to the US and the Amarok “Extreme” V6 is just under US$50k, you can get a well equipped Tundra, F-150 or Silverado V8 for the same price.

Cé hé sin > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/31/2017 at 06:28

Don’t prices include tax?

pip bip - choose Corrour > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
07/31/2017 at 06:58

as a GM dealer employee , wanna guess again.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > pip bip - choose Corrour
07/31/2017 at 07:54

I should have been now clear. I meant that the VW is probably better.