The collaboration between Volkswagen And Walkinshaw is back.
After the success of its previous generation W series Today Volkswagen Australia confirmed it will launch a new Amarok flagship developed by Walkinshaw Automotive.
Called W600The new model is currently in pre-series development and is expected to arrive in local showrooms in the third quarter of 2026.
We took a quick look at the technical prototype to see exactly what Walkinshaw changed to transform the second-generation Ford Ranger-based double-cab Amarok from an all-rounder into a more focused road tourer.
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The “600” in the name refers to the 600Nm torque output of the W600’s standard 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine. Walkinshaw has confirmed that there are no changes to the powertrain’s output, meaning it will continue to produce 184kW of power and 600Nm of torque.
But while the engine remains standard, the Amarok’s chassis has been extensively revised, in particular to improve driving dynamics and steering feel.
The most important change is the installation of new frequency-selective Koni dampers. These shock absorbers are able to mechanically detect the frequency of inputs and distinguish between low-frequency inputs (such as cornering forces) and high-frequency inputs (such as road undulations or bumps).
Walkinshaw has taken an off-road version of the Koni damper and incorporated this frequency selective technology to create a setup specifically for this dual cab 4×4 ute application. The blue painted dampers stand out within the wheel arches.
As the new generation Amarok shares its Australian-developed ladder frame platform with the Ranger, the rear dampers are mounted external to the chassis beams. This gave engineers a solid foundation to improve stability, but they went one step further and added a 22mm rear anti-roll bar.
Installing a rear stabilizer bar on a submarine with leaf springs is complex due to clearance issues with brake lines and differential. Walkinshaw had to replace the shackles on the leaf springs to accommodate the new hardware designed to prevent body roll at the rear of the vehicle.
Because a rear stabilizer bar can limit wheel movement off-road, Volkswagen’s new walkie-tuned Amarok is being touted as a dynamic road vehicle rather than a rock crawler. The compromise is therefore calculated and the W600 is therefore more of a successor to the old Amarok W580S than the W580X.
The chassis changes are accompanied by a significant modernization of the rolling stock. The W600 rides on unique 20-inch forged alloy wheels designed in Australia by a former HSV designer.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tires are wrapped around these alloys. This is a significant change from the standard Amarok’s standard Goodyear Wrangler Territory HT tires, which often struggle with grip in wet conditions.
The move to a performance-focused SUV tire suggests Walkinshaw is serious about addressing the wet weather traction issues associated with the platform.
The new wheel and tire package also gives the ute a wider stance, with revised offsets filling the fenders more aggressively. Despite the focus on performance, the W600 is expected to retain the standard Amarok’s 3500kg braked towing capacity.
Visually, the prototype wears camouflage on the more aggressive new front bumper and grille, but we can see an integrated LED light bar connecting the two headlights – a feature missing from the standard model. The front VW logo was repositioned, which required recalibration of the radar and camera systems housed within.
The W600 has electrically operated steps on the side. These extend when the doors are opened for easier entry and retract when they are closed – a feature more commonly found on full-size American pickups like the Ram 1500.
At the rear, a new side exhaust system has two outlets that exit behind the rear wheels. The system is new from the diesel particulate filter (DPF) onwards and ensures a more powerful exhaust sound, which gives the V6 diesel a little more character.
The exterior features a 3D printed emblem (on the prototype) and black “AMAROK” lettering on the tailgate.
Inside, the W600 is based on the mid-range Amarok Style variant, which is positioned above the Core and Life variants but below the flagships PanAmericana and Aventura.
However, upgrades include high-quality leather upholstery with “W” lettering sewn into the headrests, floor mats with W600 lettering and stainless steel sports pedals.
What hasn’t changed is the transmission logic. The standard 10-speed automatic transmission lacks a dedicated “Sport” mode for aggressive driving, and without paddle shifters, manual control is limited to the buttons on the gear selector.
Walkinshaw is currently conducting validation testing at the Lang Lang proving ground to complete suspension and steering tuning.
Pricing has not yet been announced, but given the extent of the engineering work – including the bespoke forged wheels, active Koni dampers, rear anti-roll bar, new exhaust and interior upgrades – the W600 will sit in the premium segment of the ute market.
We expect to get behind the wheel of a prototype in the middle of the year, before the W600 officially launches in late 2026.
MORE: Explore the Volkswagen Amarok showroom
