When Volkswagen launched its mid-sized Amarok in 2010, their goal was to build a vehicle that was rugged enough to go anywhere off road, but at the same time refined enough to be able to step back on the road with the elegance of a mid-sized luxury car.
The first generation Amaroks proved to be only an indication of how far Volkswagen was prepared to push the envelope to develop the perfect utility vehicle. And today, with more onboard features than some full-sized sedans and a powertrain that’ll take it across almost any terrain, Amaroks are largely regarded as the most distinguished 4WDs in Australia.
If you own one though, you’re probably aware that when it comes to modifications like bull bars and winches, Volkswagen’s meticulous frontend engineering doesn’t tolerate low quality accessories very well. It means that you have to invest in accessories that are both functional, and compatible with the Amarok’s features.
Fortunately though, there’s one Australian company that not only sells frontends especially for the Amarok, it also manufactures them. They know Amaroks better than anyone, and you’ll want to get to know them if you’re considering a frontend mod.
Tough Amarok Front Bumpers
Along with its lower panel, and integrated wiring, lighting, and parking sensors, the Amaroks’s front bumper is a solid example of VW’s engineering prowess. And if you want to modify it correctly, a custom bumper that’s designed specifically to accommodate VW Amarok bull bars or hoopless winches is your only option. A direct replacement frontend that incorporates a bull bar, winch, recovery points or other hardware together with all of the Amarok’s OE features makes all the difference in both functionality and installation.
OE replacements aren’t light weight add-ons or cosmetic enhancements. They’re complete, Australian Design Regulation (ADR) approved frontend assemblies consisting of individual frame-reinforced components that are designed to:
· Provide solid, forward-facing protection for your Amarok from collision or impact.
· Provide rigid, frame-mounted points to recover your, or another vehicle from.
· Fully integrate with your Amarok’s OE electrical, safety, and sensing equipment.
A standard assortment of tools is needed to install these precision-welded aluminium alloy and steel assemblies, but they don’t require any cutting or fabricating. In fact, the entire OE frontend, including the bumper, intrusion beam, and upper and lower front panels, would be replaced entirely by the custom Amarok bull bar or winch components. In the end though, your vehicle is going to receive a tough, newly designed frontend that’s stronger and compatible with Volkswagen’s engineering expertise.
Amarok Bumper Compatibility
Compatibility is still only a small part of what you expect from an aftermarket Volkswagen Amarok bull bar and winch assembly. Even if you’re only an occasional off roader, what you really want is to know that, if by any chance you make some type of unavoidable frontend contact, you and your passengers are going to be protected.
A strengthened Amarok replacement bull bar frontend weighs less than 50kg and consists of:
· A 2.5mm steel one-piece bumper, with robot-welded bull bars;
· A steel, top-mounted winch bar and winch mounting bracket;
· Steel side and centre skid plates;
· Conforming fender eyebrows; and,
· Polyurethane protection overriders.
Whether you decide to utilize it or not, the winch mounting is optional, but all aftermarket Amarok front bar kits consist of two high-lift jack points, and two 1700kg frame-fixed recovery points for an equalized recovery rate of 3400kg. It means that even the heftiest V6 Amarok boasting 3300kg GVW can be safely hooked up and pulled when necessary.
Full-featured Amarok Replacements
Although an SRS-tested and ADR approved VW Amarok bull bar for sale is what you’re going to look for to increase your frontend safety, you don’t want to forget about the OE features that make the VW’s bumper so unique. An aftermarket bumper couldn’t qualify as a proper VW replacement if it can’t accommodate, or improve on, the full complement of features that were built into the OE unit, including:
· Upgraded LED Fog lights;
· Turn signal indicator lights;
· Parking lights and sensors;
· IP69-rated wiring; and,
· Provisions for additional lighting or antennas.
Ultimately, these are all standard Amarok bumper features, and in accordance with the ADR, there’s no way to replace the bumper without them. It’s important to consider, however, that there can be reasons for some owners to not want bull bars on their vehicle. Some Amarok owners only want a winch. And for them, there are simplified alternatives that include the same standard OE features, but without the bull bar hoops.
Amarok Replacements without Hoops
Hoopless, powder-coated Amarok frontends featuring either top-mounted or internally mounted winches are also available. These assemblies are also direct OE replacements that don’t sacrifice any of the structural strength or stability that would be found in their hooped counterparts. In fact, bumper units with internally-mounted winches are even more rigid than other assemblies because they’re connected directly to the frame.
Hoopless assemblies consist of four main components that replace the OE bumper, and related panels and beam members:
· A 6mm, reinforced aluminium alloy outer body;
· A pair of 5mm steel mounting brackets;
· A 4mm central steel winch mount; and,
· A centre mounted skid plate.
Hoopless bumpers only weigh 38kg, and incorporate the same jacking and recovery points into an assembly that has a noticeably cleaner profile than one with bull bars. Some bolt holes in the Amarok’s frame do require drill clearance, but that little extra work is going to leave you feeling a lot safer.
The final word
At the end of the day, it’s difficult to equate the Amarok’s otherwise serene exterior with its true 4×4 capabilities. It’s an off roader in every sense of the term, but it doesn’t advertise it. And not surprisingly, that’s how most Amarok owners would prefer to keep it. With this in mind, it’s important to speak with the experts who manufacture them when you’re ready to upgrade your frontend with aftermarket VW Amarok bull bars or a hoopless winch bumper.
They understand precisely what it means to want to confidently take your Amarok off road, but still maintain the sophisticated demeanor that’s in its VW DNA. They can supply you with the equipment to do the upgrade the way VW would want it done, and you’ll be glad that you did it that way too.
