ZF in Volkswagen's Amarok Pickup
The Agility of a car – Thanks to ZF
ZF's 6-speed Ecolite transmission, rack-and-pinion power steering and front axle come together for the first time in the Amarok pickup from Volkswagen. All these components ensure that the pickup darts out of corners safely and performs parking and turning maneuvers with ease.
Since 2010 in Europe
The new Amarok pickup from Volkswagen is available in Europe since the second half of 2010. ZF driveline and chassis technology gives the latest Volkswagen model the agility of a car despite its considerable load capacity. That's thanks to the 6-speed Ecolite transmission. This manual transmission, developed and produced by ZF's Commercial Vehicle and Special Driveline Technology division, is designed for light commercial vehicles and pickup trucks with input torque of 450 Nm (331 lb-ft). In the all-wheel-drive version, the modified front-axle drive from the Volkswagen Touareg transfers up to 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) to the wheels of the ZF VAG 195 front axle.
Tested at the Dakar Rally
The new pickup by the Volkswagen Group is positioned between passenger cars and small commercial vehicles. The 5.25-m-long (17-ft-long) vehicle with a double cab has room for five occupants and can carry up to 1.15 tons. The vehicle is manufactured in Argentina, as pickups traditionally have the best opportunities in the markets of South America and the Asia-Pacific region. Accordingly, the Amarok is initially being marketed in South America and will be available in Europe in the middle of 2010. The Amarok just passed one of its first key tests with flying colors – as a support vehicle for the Volkswagen Race Touareg in the Dakar Rally in Chile and Argentina.
Precise and quick
Rack-and-pinion power steering, which is also fitted as standard in Volkswagen's Amarok pickup, achieves the balance between passenger and commercial vehicle: On the one hand, with its variable ratio, it allows a precise and rapid steering response at higher speeds without danger of "stalling." On the other hand, the direct ratio on the outside of the steering rack improves handling when parking and maneuvering, when turning in narrow spaces, and in extreme cornering maneuvers. The Amarok pickup from Volkswagen is equipped with chassis components from ZF's Car Chassis Technology division as well.
Further information
Holger Kirsch
Trade Press Passenger Cars
Phone: +49 7541 77-2488
Fax: +49 7541 77-90 2488
holger.kirsch@zf.com
