Volkswagen's upcoming pickup truck christened Amarok

Volkswagen's new pickup truck which is due to be launched in Europe in 2010 has finally been given a name. This truck which was first unveiled to the world as a concept last year is to be called the Amarok. In the language of the Inuit, a race of Eskimo people who hail from northern Canada and Greenland, the name Amarok means 'wolf', an animal which is generally regarded as the king of the wilderness by the same people. But the interesting thing is that the same word translates to 'he loves stones' in the languages spoken in South America, an important market where Volkswagen Commerical Vehicles will launch the Amarok as well.

Stephan Schaller, CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles commented on the occasion that the company had taken great care in selecting a name that can be used internationally and which goes along with the powerful and robust character of the vehicle. Initially, the Amarok will be launched in a double cab version and a single cab edition will follow later. While the exact engine specifications aren't finalized yet, Volkswagen did announce that the Amarok will be powered by the company's next generation of common rail turbo diesel engines that will provide great fuel economy and low emissions.

The Amarok is an important new model in the strategic growth plans for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and will be produced at its Pacheco plant near Buenos Aires in Argentina. After its launch in South America in early 2010, Central America will soon follow behind in Spring 2010, and then finally Russia and Europe in the summer, as well as Africa and Australia. Based around a simple ladder-frame chassis, the Amarok will be inexpensive to produce and hence perfect for the emerging markets around the world. One can't help but wonder if Volkswagen, with its current setup here, would consider bringing this car to India as a life-style pickup. We, for one, would certainly like to see that happen.