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Images of the 2011 Volkswagen Amarok pickup truck leaked online Tuesday morning, nearly two weeks ahead of the vehicle’s official debut. Looking much like Volkswagen’s Concept Pickup shown over a year ago, the production model ditches the Ridgeline-like integrated body in favor of conventional body-on-frame construction with separate cab and box sections.

Power comes from a 2.0-liter common rail injection diesel motor, delivering 163 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A more economical version rated at 122 hp and 250 lb-ft will be added to the lineup a few months after launch. Customers will be able to choose between all-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive layouts. In the case of AWD, power is split 40-to-60 in favor of the rear wheels.

Production is expected to start later this year in Pacheco, Argentina, and the truck will be sold in South America, South Africa, Australia, as well as in some European countries. There are no known plans at this time for North American sales. That said, we can’t help but think a reasonably priced, fuel-efficient pickup could do well in the United States. Rumor has it VW dealers shot down any talk of American sales, expressing concerns over the materials and relatively low price point of the truck.

Volkswagen is planning to build about 90,000 units annually.

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When Volkswagen first revealed the production version of the 2011 Amarok pickup to the world at the 2010 Geneva Motor show, the automaker said that there would be no future for the truck in the U.S.

After its introduction rumors surfaced suggesting that the truck may still head to the U.S., only to be shot down by VW – citing the inability to support the 100,000 annual sales required in order for the truck to make sense.

Like a bad habit, this rumor just won’t go away – according to sources who spoke with Car and Driver, VW is rethinking their decision – citing their recent goals to vastly increase volume in the crucial North American market.

Rumor has it VW dealers shot down any talk of American sales, expressing concerns over the rugged and less-than-luxurious materials and relatively low price point of the truck. With the new rumor suggesting a revival, VW corporate may have decided that volume sales are more important than image. Furthermore, with the cheaper, more “American” Jetta on the way and the Ranger on its way out, VW may be realizing that the Amarok is better suited for the U.S. market now than ever.

The Amarock was designed primarily for South America and Russia, the body-on-frame Amarok promises to be a tough commercial-grade small pickup. Power comes from a 2.0-liter common rail injection diesel motor, delivering 163 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.

A more economical version of the Amarok that will come rated at 122 hp and 250 lb-ft is set to be added to the lineup a few months after launch. Customers will be able to choose between all-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive layouts. In the case of AWD, power is split 40-to-60 in favor of the rear wheels.

Production is expected to start later this year in Pacheco, Argentina, and the truck will be sold in South America, South Africa, Australia, as well as in some European countries as of now.

Volkswagen is planning to build about 90,000 units annually

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Rumor has it VW dealers shot down any talk of American sales, expressing concerns over the rugged and less-than-luxurious materials and relatively low price point of the truck.

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