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Volkswagen Amarok named 2014 Pick-up of the Year

Volkswagen's highly-acclaimed Amarok has scooped the prestigious ‘Pick-up of the Year' title from specialist off-road publication, 4x4 Magazine.

Seven pick-ups underwent intensive testing by 4x4 Magazine, each judged on their off-road ability, performance on the road and value for money. The pick-ups were also tested as a working vehicle including comparing towing capacity and engine capability, resulting with Amarok as the overall winner.

According to 4x4 Magazine, the multi award-winning Amarok was praised for its 4-wheel-drive 4MOTION technology which gives the driver maximum control on any surface and features Electronic Stabilisation Programme, Electronic Differential Lock, on and off road Anti-lock Braking System and Anti-Slip Regulation, all as standard. The vehicle's unique blend of practicality and versatility both on and off-road meant it was ranked ahead of all other challengers.

The Amarok's impressive 2.0-litre 178bhp BiTDI turbo diesel engine and eight-speed automatic gearbox were also highlighted as offering superior drive, road response and driveability.

This brings the versatile pick-up's trophy haul to eight since its UK launch in 2011. With UK sales up 56% year to date (when compared with the same period in 2012), it caps a remarkable 12 months for the Amarok which has proved its credentials as a genuine work-horse that's more than capable of tackling the roughest of work terrains.

Nigel Fryatt, Editor, 4x4 Magazine commented: "The range of pick-ups available in the UK market is extensive. All the vehicles we tested were very similar in terms of being diesel-powered, double cab vehicles, with standard load beds. However, when it came to the Volkswagen Amarok it was obvious that it was a clear winner.

"The Amarok has the best engine of the group, both in terms of on-road response, and off-road ability. When coupled to the excellent eight speed automatic gearbox there could only be one winner."

Using Volkswagen's latest 2.0-litre common rail diesel engine to bring new levels of refinement and efficiency to the pick-up market, the Amarok is just as powerful as, and more efficient than, rivals that use larger capacity units. It also has some of the lowest emissions in the sector, and was the first to dip under the 200 g/km CO2 threshold. The Amarok range offers three trim levels, a choice of permanent or selectable 4MOTION and a load area wide enough to fit a ‘euro' pallet.