VW Amarok ditching diesels for V6 power in 2027

By Rachel Bennett 11/08/2026 3 min read 9 views

The 2027 Volkswagen Amarok ute is going all-in on V6 power, with the company scrapping almost all four-cylinder diesel options from its range.

Volkswagen Australia has confirmed a “V6-led” strategy for the Amarok dual cab ute. This decision follows Ford’s late-2025 move to delete the 2.0-litre ‘Bi-Turbo’ diesel engine from its Ranger ute and Everest SUV line-ups.

The current VW Amarok was co-developed with the Ford Ranger. Ford Australia’s decision to drop the 184kW/600Nm 2.0-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine is a result of tightening emission regulations, including the escalating impact of the Federal Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) scheme.

The Blue Oval is redirecting engine development dollars towards the ‘Panther’ series engine family. The single-turbo diesel four-cylinder version of this engine is still offered in the Ranger. Volkswagen has taken a different path by sidelining single- and twin-turbo four-cylinder turbo-diesel Amarok variants while expanding its 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel line-up from three to five grades.

Michelle Rowney, Volkswagen Australia Commercial Vehicles Head of Marketing & Product, explained the company’s direction. “We’ve moved towards a V6 strategy,” she said. “So, we’ve dropped the four cylinders from the range. We still have the petrol, but then we go into our V6 offerings.”

Gone are the Amarok TDI405 Core, TDI500 Life and TDI500 Style variants. The only remaining four-cylinder option is the TDI452 Style, which is powered by the Ford-sourced 222kW/452Nm single turbo-petrol engine. This engine is already offered in the VW Amarok, though it is not currently available in the Ford Ranger.

Dark Label V6 details

The Amarok Dark Label V6, announced earlier this year, is now being distributed and has started to land with dealers. Based on the Style V6, the special edition is limited to 200 units with a roughly $4,000 premium.

The package adds the following styling changes and feature upgrades:

20-inch ‘Matte Black’ ‘Bendigo’ alloy wheels (unique to the Dark Label)
LED matrix headlights (with black surrounds)
Darkened tail-lights
Black sports bar, side steps, rear bumper, door handles and mirrors
Front bumper ‘X‑design’ in black
Black front skid plate
Matte Black B‑pillar foil and roof rails
Dark Label sticker pack (bonnet, doors, tub sides, tailgate)
Dark privacy glass (rear and side)
Dark Label seat package in synthetic microfibre
Dark Label branded floor mats
Ebony Black headliner
Spray in tub liner (with 230V power)
Black soft tonneau cover
Factory towing kit & electronic brake controller

The move away from four-cylinder diesels aligns with broader trends in the automotive industry. Manufacturers are increasingly pressured to meet stricter emissions targets. While four-cylinder engines remain popular for their fuel economy and cost, V6 engines are often viewed as a way to deliver higher performance and towing capacity without the downsides of a larger V8. By focusing on the V6, Volkswagen aims to offer a more premium driving experience that justifies a higher price point for buyers who need serious hauling power. The Amarok’s restructured range signals a clear intent to compete directly with the top-spec variants of rivals like the Ranger and HiLux.