2027 Volkswagen Amarok W600 Walkinshaw review

The masterminds behind some of Australia's greatest performance cars have been at it again, though their newest performance model isn't really a car at all.

The Volkswagen Amarok W600 is the latest creation by Victorian-based automotive firm Walkinshaw , and the second iteration of a locally tuned performance version of the German brand's ute.

The brief was to create the "ultimate driver's ute" centred around on-road prowess rather than off-road capability, much like the first Walkinshaw-tuned Amarok, the W580 that launched in 2021. A key difference is that the new Amarok is based on the Ford Ranger , unlike Volkswagen's in-house first-gen ute.

Walkinshaw achieved this by developing a vastly overhauled suspension setup. At the heart of it all are new Koni 'Frequency Selective Dampers' with bespoke valve tuning, while a rear sway bar has been added to complement the leaf-sprung rear axle.

It also developed new 20x10-inch alloy wheels and fitted them with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres, giving the Amarok a wider track, while retuning the steering to suit. Walkinshaw says all parts were designed to work in harmony, creating a comprehensive handling-focused package.

Of course, there have been some cosmetic tweaks to match. Most obvious is a new front bumper with a new grille, the latter incorporating a light bar for a unique front lighting signature.

There are also new exterior badges and minor embellishments inside, while new power-retractable side steps and twin side-exit exhaust tips behind the right-hand rear wheel round out the package.

It's certainly a distinctive look, but to see how everything has come together, Volkswagen invited media to Tasmania to sample the W600 on some of the roads used during development. This follows a pre-production drive at the Lang Lang Proving Ground earlier this year.

What is Walkinshaw's newest vehicle really like, and is it actually the ultimate driver's ute?

Walkinshaw's latest creation is the Amarok's new flagship trim, priced at $91,990 before on-road costs.

Given the W600's unique offering, direct rivals are limited, so we've identified two that seem the most relevant.

One is the Isuzu D-Max Blade, another Walkinshaw creation but instead built to maximise off-road capability. It's priced at $80,900 before on-road costs, roughly $8000 more than the next-dearest D-Max.

The other is the Ford Ranger Raptor. It has the same basic underpinnings as the W600, but packs a vastly more powerful twin-turbo V6 petrol engine and motorsport-inspired adaptive off-road suspension, among other upgrades. It currently costs $90,690 before on-roads.

To see how the Volkswagen Amarok stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool