Beefy VW Amarok Aventura Exclusive Concept Revealed With 258 HP

Volkswagen's posh workhorse will demonstrate its split personality next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show where the Amarok will be exhibited as the Aventura Exclusive concept and the new Dark Label limited edition heading into production.

Finished in a striking Turmeric Yellow Metallic color borrowed from the Golf facelift and the Arteon flagship, the concept presented in the double cab body style sits on shiny 19-inch wheels and comes with a plethora of chrome accents together with bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights. To make it worthy of an auto show, VW has given it more goodies, like the lockable and waterproof cargo bed featuring an aluminum look for the first time. A similar theme has been applied onto the underbody guard, too.

Inside, the Amarok Aventura Exclusive aims to be right up there with the Mercedes X-Class when it comes to premium touches. These include black leather upholstery with yellow stitching, 14-way electrically adjustable seats, rearview camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel, navigation, and a black headliner. The cabin also boasts chrome accents to complement the ones applied on the outside.

But what really makes the concept special is the upgraded turbodiesel 3.0-liter V6 engine, now pushing out a respectable 258 horsepower (190 kilowatts). It represents a bump in output of 34 hp (25 kW) compared to strongest production Amarok you can buy today that has 224 hp (165 kW) most of the time, with an overboost function temporarily increasing power to 245 hp (180 kW). In addition, VW Commercial Vehicles says torque has also increased beyond the road-going model's maximum 550 Newton-meters (406 pound-feet).

No word just yet about whether the beefier V6 will soon be offered.

As for the Amarok Dark Label, it's a special edition of the double cab programmed to go on sale next spring in the 163 hp (120 kW) and 204 hp (150 kW) configurations of the same diesel engine. Depending on selection, VW will sell it with a six-speed manual, an eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive, on-demand AWD, and permanent AWD. Pricing will kick off from €33,714 (before taxes) in Germany.

Based on the Comfortline trim, the limited-run model comes with a fancy Indium Grey matte paint combined with dark-colored body accents. Anthracite glossy 18-inch wheels are also part of the deal, and so are the matte black door handles and mirror caps. On the inside, it's going to have a black headliner and "Dark Label" logos embroidered onto the floor mats.

Beginning with September 12, the two Amaroks will be joined on stage at IAA by the new Polo supermini and the T-Roc crossover.