23:24 01-06-2026

Volkswagen Amarok 2026: Updated TDI405 Diesel Stays, but Only Fleets Can Order It

Volkswagen Australia keeps the four-cylinder TDI405 in the MY26 Amarok line-up, but private buyers will have to choose a V6 diesel or a turbo-petrol four.

The 2026 Volkswagen Amarok in Australia gets an updated four-cylinder diesel, but it won’t be available to everyone. As Drive reports, citing Volkswagen Australia, the entry-level TDI405 Core stays in the range, but only large fleet customers will be able to order it.

For private buyers and small businesses, the choice within the Amarok family narrows noticeably. They will be offered either a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel or a 2.3-litre turbo-petrol four. The previous 2.0-litre single- and bi-turbo diesels are no longer available to those customers.

The updated TDI405 retains its 170 hp and 405 Nm outputs. The key change is a new 10-speed automatic transmission in place of the old six-speed. The engine is also expected to switch to a chain-driven timing setup instead of a belt, as already seen on the Ford Ranger — a layout that should make servicing easier.

The 209 hp / 500 Nm bi-turbo diesel has been dropped from the Amarok range. In Australia, the new entry point for regular customers is the Amarok Style with the TDI600 V6 or the TSI452 petrol. The higher-spec PanAmericana, Aventura and the limited Dark Label remain V6-only.