VW Amarok Walkinshaw priced for NZ
Words: Kyle Cassidy
Volkswagen’s new Amarok Walkinshaw has been listed at $129,990 plus on-road costs, with just 40 examples coming to New Zealand.
The pricing and local allocation appear on Continental Cars’ website, adding detail to Volkswagen New Zealand’s earlier arrival announcement. Customer deliveries are expected to begin in December 2026.
The new model follows the Amarok W580, which saw Walkinshaw apply its engineering expertise to the previous-generation ute. This time, the focus is again on making the Amarok more rewarding to drive on sealed roads.
There’s no extra engine output accompanying the Walkinshaw badge. The 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 retains the standard model’s 184kW and 600Nm, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.
The changes are concentrated underneath. A bespoke KONI suspension package uses Frequency Selective Damping technology and Walkinshaw-specific calibration, while a newly developed 22mm rear anti-roll bar is intended to improve body control through corners.
Exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels wear Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres, completing a chassis package aimed at sharper steering response and greater cornering stability. Walkinshaw says its development programme reflects how owners typically use these vehicles, with commuting, touring and towing on sealed roads central to the brief.
The exterior also gets a substantial makeover, including distinctive front-end styling, a light bar, electrically deployable side steps, dual side-exit exhausts and Walkinshaw badging.
Volkswagen New Zealand general manager Chanelle McDonald says the partnership builds on the two companies’ shared engineering interests.
“Our partnership with Walkinshaw brings together two brands with a shared passion for engineering, capability and driver engagement.
“The Amarok Walkinshaw is something truly special for our customers. This special edition amplifies the personality and presence of Amarok, creates excitement around the nameplate and gives customers another reason to choose Volkswagen,” says McDonald.
Buyers in Auckland wanting an early look can view an example at Continental Cars Volkswagen’s Newmarket showroom through Saturday, October 31. The dealer is also taking registrations of interest for the limited local allocation.
