German automaker VW, world-renowned for the venerable Beetle, has entered the pick-up market with a bang, and with great expectation.

Last week the new VW Amarok pick-up had its introduction in Argentina where journalists and agents from Central America and the Caribbean had a chance to put the vehicle through vigourous tests and learn about the rigours of the vehicle’s five-year development.

Anyone who knows anything about the time tested VW ‘Bug’ would no doubt acknowledge that it is one of the most rugged vehicles ever made. All that know-how, and more, has gone into the Amarok, a word meaning wolf in an Alaskan tribal language.

VW specialists are however under no illusions that acceptance of the Amarok into the mid-sized pick-up segment will be automatic.

“We are entering a new world where we are not really welcome so we have made it as best as possible,” one executive commented at the official launch ceremony held at the prestigious Lloa Lloa hotel high in the Patagonia hills.

With this understanding VW says it has given the Amarok more features than those existing in any mid-size pick-up currently on the market.

“We have set a clear target to develop the best pick up of all times,” commented Fernando Badia, VW commercial vehicle regional manager for Latin America.

VW has in effect thrown down serious challenge to Toyota and Ford, rulers of the mid-size pick-up segment.

The Argentina test was excellent, the vehicle performed just as the manufacturers said it would.

Driving the Amarok one could easily forget that there was a pick-up bed behind. It drove like a SUV, and better than some.

“Many of the technologies implemented in the Amarok are being used for the first time in the mid-size pick-up segment,” says VW.

Consider a vehicle that drives itself through rough terrain and up or down steep slopes, functions typically reserved for high-end SUV with special off-road options.

An Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and an optional all wheel differential lock give the vehicle these capabilities.

The pick-up segment at which the Amarok is aimed however has gotten along quite well without all the features that this vehicle offers.

So, cognisant that the vehicle with all its functions is a genuine workhorse , VW has offered three versions spanning mere utility without trimmings to a fully loaded lifestyle model.

Although a 2.0 Litre, four-cylinder diesel pick-up, the Amarok with its twin turbo packs power equivalent to larger engines, and sips fuel as it does so. At the end of our more than 240 kilometre trip through the rugged southern Argentina hills we returned to base with just about three quarter tank of fuel.

VW officials said that the fuel consumption is approximately 7.6 litres per 100 kilometre with a tank capacity of 80 litres, championing the Amarok as having the lowest fuel consumption in its class.

Insisting that while there might be a question mark about four cylinders and 2.0 litre engine VW said that there is no reason for concern.

According to the engineers the Amarok’s twin turbo engine produces the same torque of competing vehicles using conventional technology.

The Amarok is introduced with a six-speed manual gearbox however an automatic version is planned for the near future, VW said.

With its six-speed gearbox each gear “revs’ out pretty quickly but the vehicle instinctively displays instructions to change up or down on an LED dashboard display.

Normal driving is done in high-speed 4×4 where the ESP corrects for any difficult terrain and a mere switch to low-speed 4×4 on off-road conditions adds even more astonishing features.

It attacks the steepest of grades up to 30 degrees and climbs without any fear of running backwards. The ESP equally controls the speed downhill without any undue acceleration.

On uneven ground the differential lock may be engaged and the vehicle compensates for any wheel that may be off the road surface or loosing traction. The result is a relatively smooth ride and sure-footed acceleration when required.

The 4×4 double-cab version was unveiled in Argentina but a 4×2 will be rolling off the assembly line by mid-year and by the end of 2010 a single cab version should be available, the manufacturers said.

We were not told the price but VW officials insist that the Amarok will be competitive for price with anything currently in its segment.

“We don’t stand a chance if we go any higher,” a VW engineer told Auto.

The Amarok is expected to have its official world debut in March at the Geneva Auto show.