• VW is developing a new Amarok pickup for South America with a planned 2027 debut.
  • The hybrid-powered truck will be built in Argentina using SAIC’s ladder-frame architecture.
  • It is expected to share most of its components with the Maxus Interstellar X / LDV Terron 9.

A new version of the Amarok is headed to South America, marking a fresh chapter in Volkswagen’s midsize pickup lineup. Announced a few months ago, the upcoming model is scheduled for 2027 and will be built locally, entirely separate from the Ford Ranger-based Amarok sold in global markets.

VW has now provided more details, including confirmation that the truck will feature a hybrid powertrain. It was previously known that the model would be underpinned by a ladder-frame chassis sourced from China.

More: VW’s Flagship SUV Is Being Phased Out As It Bets On Cheaper Models

Unlike the original Amarok, which continues production in South America following a recent facelift, this new truck won’t be developed entirely in-house. Instead, it stems from VW’s partnership with Chinese automaker SAIC. According to local reports, the design and architecture are expected to draw heavily from the Maxus Interstellar X, also sold in Australia as the LDV Terron 9.

Confirmed Hybrid Powertrain and Production Plans

As reported by Motor1 Brazil, VW executives met with Argentinian government officials on Monday to discuss details about the automaker’s $580 million investment in the region. After the meeting, the local government issued a statement, confirming that the new “Amarok Hybrid pickup” will be produced at the General Pacheco factory in Argentina.

While the production site had already been revealed, this update officially confirms the model’s hybrid configuration. Back in April 2025, VW Argentina CEO Marcellus Puig stated that the truck was being co-developed with China’s SAIC Group.

VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
A sketch of the Amarok South America project (above) and the Maxus Interstellar X / LDV Terron 9 (below).
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of

Dimensions and Shared Styling Elements

In terms of design, the new Amarok is expected to mirror the proportions and greenhouse of the SAIC Maxus Interstellar X, which stretches 5,500 mm (216.5 inches) in length with a 3,300 mm (129.9 inches) wheelbase. It may also share some body panels and interior components, though VW has teased a unique front-end design. A sketch hints at a distinctive look with a full-width LED bar, a compact grille, rugged bumpers, and a sculpted hood.

More: VW Shuttered Its First Major Plant In China After 17 Years

The SAIC Maxus Interstellar X is currently available with a 2.5-liter turbodiesel engine, while the closely related Maxus eTerron 9 has a fully electric powertrain. The shared ladder-frame platform supports multiple powertrains, including hybrid setups, which is what VW plans to use for this South American-focused model.

The new “Amarok South America” will be exclusively available in the region. Meanwhile, the standard internal combustion Amarok will continue to serve buyers in other parts of the world.

VW’s strategy to share development costs for its South American truck follows the example of its rival Stellantis, as the Fiat Titano, Peugeot Landtrek, and Ram 1200 triplets are all based on the Kaicene F70 and Changan midsize pickups from China.

VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
The facelifted first-gen VW Amarok is being manufactured in South America (Argentina).
VW’s New Pickup Shares DNA With A Chinese Pickup You’ve Never Heard Of
The second-gen VW Amarok is produced alongside the Ford Ranger in South Africa.