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New army transport based on VW Amarok

June 12 2012 at 03:48pm
By IOL Motoring Staff

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IOL mot pic jun12 VW Amarok M 1

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Amarok M is Rheinmetall military vehicle for the new millennium.

In 1940 Willys built the Jeep in response to a US Army requirement for a tough, all-wheel drive light military transport.

And this is the 2012 version of the same thing, as envisaged by German armaments manufacturer Rheinmetall Defence.

Based on the South American-built VW original, the Rheinmetall Amarok M (militär) Light Multi-Purpose Vehicle has a reinforced chassis, raised suspension, heavy-duty off-road tyres and an “off-road anti-blocking system.”

That, Cyril, is armyspeak for a bullbar.

So far, it sounds like something built in Krugersdorp for a local 4x4 enthusiuast - but then it gets a bit more warlike with rifle racks, hidden storage bins, advanced communications equipment and an electrically-powered ring-mount for a medium or heavy machine gun / automatic grenade launcher.

The Amarok M is available as either a single or double-cab vehicle, with any of the VW range of petrol or diesel engines from 90-132kW, with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed auto transmission and permanent all-wheel drive.

Rheinmetall says the Amarok M can tow up to 2770kg with a Nato-spec towbar and, even fully armed and armoured, is good for 177km/h - which is considerably better than the CJ2 could do!

The prototype Amarok M, seen here on trials, is on display this week at the 2012 Eurosatory International Defence Exhibition in Paris.

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