SPONSORED
The Volkswagen Amarok 10 Deserts Version has banked a powerful end in CarExpert’s newest Beer O’Clock Hill off-road problem at The Springs 4×4 Park in Queensland, efficiently reaching the summit with park proprietor Lucas Bree on the wheel, whereas Paul Maric known as the motion from the sidelines.
Beer O’Clock Hill is strictly the form of climb that types the genuinely succesful from the merely assured. It’s steep, rutted, uneven, and slippery sufficient to evaluate drivetrain response, traction management calibration, gearing, and the way effectively a ute can hold ahead progress with out turning the entire try right into a wheelspin-fest.
On this run, the Amarok appeared unusually composed. Paul identified the advantages of the ten Deserts Version bundle – together with a manufacturing facility carry and the chunky all-terrain tyres fitted for the check – which helped it keep extra settled and cut back the quantity of underbody punishment you usually see on this hill.
The Amarok’s management by way of the moguls was one of many early highlights. Even when a rear wheel lifted and the car needed to lean on its electronics, it continued to inch ahead with stunning consistency.
Lucas defined what was occurring from behind the wheel, noting they have been “absolutely unloaded” and that the ute could be counting on traction management to shuffle torque throughout the axle – and it did precisely that, sustaining momentum with out the dramatic flare-ups you would possibly anticipate in these situations.
When it got here time to decide to the primary climb, Lucas dialled in a wise setup: four-low engaged, rear diff lock on, Slippery mode chosen, and the transmission positioned in handbook mode to higher handle gear choice and hold the engine in the correct a part of its torque band.
It’s a great reminder that the very best outcome on Beer O’Clock Hill isn’t nearly uncooked {hardware} – it’s additionally about having the correct drive modes and calibrations, after which utilizing them correctly.
The Amarok didn’t merely stroll it, however what stood out was the way it stored discovering traction and making measurable progress.
There have been moments when the hill compelled a reset and a brand new line, but every try appeared managed moderately than chaotic.
From the sidelines, Paul famous the Amarok wasn’t “bashing like most of those have been”, with the ute clearing sections that always punish facet steps and lower-hanging {hardware} on different dual-cabs.
Then, because the Amarok’s traction management and rear diff lock lastly discovered a cleaner patch of chew, it climbed the ultimate part and crested the highest.
Lucas was fast to credit score the ute’s tune and the best way it deployed its grip, saying: “It’s unimaginable, and it simply felt assured as effectively. Huge tick from me for Volkswagen.”
On a climb as unforgiving as Beer O’Clock Hill, that’s in regards to the clearest endorsement you will get: the Amarok didn’t simply survive the check – it delivered a top-class outcome.
