No bull(bar) for Volkswagen Amarok

Pedestrian safety technology dictates a lack of factory bullbar option, but aftermarket bullbars will be offered for those who want them
discount new cars  » Get the best price on a new Volkswagen The Volkswagen Amarok might be built tough as guts and have a five-star crash safety rating, but it will have to venture into the Australian outback without a factory-endorsed bullbar.

Pedestrian safety regulations in Europe -- which will be adopted by other countries including Australia in due course -- meant that Volkswagen did not develop a bullbar for the Amarok.

The company is unlikely to endorse an aftermarket brand, either, according to Volkswagen Australia technical manager Phil Murray.

"We'd love to have a bullbar, we know our customers would love the option of a bullbar, and we know aftermarket suppliers will develop them, but they won't be coming from us," Murray said.

The Car games ales Network understands that aftermarket parts supplier EGR, which has developed the VW-approved hard tonneau covers for the Amarok, will make an aluminium bullbar that meets VW's requirements for engine and transmission cooling -- but it will not be endorsed by VW.

"There are some very important areas on the front of the vehicle that should not be covered and we are happy to make them known to bullbar suppliers -- if they come to us and ask for guidance," explained Murray.

The omission of a factory-endorsed bullbar means that Volkswagen will miss out on a large slice of the lucrative aftersales accessory parts business.

Most ute rivals have factory-endorsed bullbars. More than half of all Toyota Hiluxes are delivered with factory or aftermarket accessories.

VW has, however, developed a range of other accessories for the Amarok.

"We've developed more accessories for the Amarok than we have for any other vehicle," said Murray.

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