Volkswagen Amarok Canyon Concept Decked Out for Geneva Debut

An extreme version of the successful Amarok pick-up has been presented at Geneva in the form of the Amarok Canyon Concept that illustrates how versatile pickup configurations can be created, in this case for freestyle kayaking. From the running gear to details of the cargo box, the concept has been specially designed to meet the requirements of the extreme sport. "We are using this extreme concept to illustrate one of the many diverse uses of the Amarok.

"By tuning its design to an extreme sport, we are bringing the original DNA of the Amarok into focus," emphasized Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber, Head of Development at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. A body lift kit raises the pickup concept's body by 40mm, which is 85mm taller than the production model. It is also wider and boasts a bright Baladi Orange paintjob. Auxiliary headlights have been mounted on its roof and electrically-deployed tread plates have been designed to be visually unobtrusive by retracting when the vehicle is moving.

Wheel housings were widened by 35mm on each side to accommodate large AT tyres mounted on 'Durban' type wheels painted in High Gloss Adamantium Dark. Two carbon-fiber kayaks are mounted to the cargo floor while other essential gear such as white-water helmets, flotation devices and rafting shoes are stored in nets and boxes on the cargo bed. Inside, two-tone leather seats have decorative orange-red seams, a color that appears on the 3-spoke steering wheel and gear shift lever trim, safety belts and air outlets. Three auxiliary instruments display climbing and tilt angles, essential for extreme off-road drivers.