Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recently held the closing event for the gruelling Amarok pick-up Challenge in Puebla, Mexico, after a 20,000km journey of the new vehicle, starting three months before in Argentina.

VW says it conducted the Amarok Challenge for the purpose of testing the performance and technology of its new pick-up truck, the Amarok.

The pick-up, which is expected to quickly carve substantial market share in its segment, was officially launched in February.

It’s arrival at Volkswagen’s Puebla plant marked the end of what the manufacturers called a successful introduction journey.

VW is represented in Jamaica by ATL Autohaus, a member of the ATL Group, and is located on Oxford Road in Kingston.

The Amarok’s 20,000km-journey began in Bariloche, south Argentina traversing 15 countries, before ending in Mexico on June 7, a VW report said.

To accomplish this challenge, standard 4×4 versions of the Amarok were used. These were equipped with the 2.0L twin -turbo TDI engine, achieving an output of 163 bhp and 400 Nm of torque.

A 10-man Amarok Challenge team, providing special skills such as navigation, photography or mechanics, drove three Amaroks, and two Volkswagen Transporters serving as support vehicles.

Leader of the team, driving one of the Amaroks, was Felipe Aja Espil.

Two professional rally drivers, two photographers, a journalist, an administrator, a logistics co-ordinator and a lodging coordinator accompanied Aja Espil.

According to the VW report, the 10th member was a mechanic, whose duties were limited to only routine maintenance, “thanks to the high quality and toughness of the new Amarok”.

VW said that during the three months, obstacles and challenges faced by the Amaroks were among some of the stiffest possible.

“They traversed the planet’s most arid desert in Chile and crossed the Andes Mountains nine times in Bolivia, Chile, Peru and Colombia, reaching altitudes of up to 5100 metres.

“They passed the Inca ruins in Peru and faced tropical storms in the jungles of Central America. Many of the unique geographical and climatic features of Latin America were experienced testing the performance, equipment and state of the art features of the new pick-up truck.

“The Amarok Challenge proved be a demanding challenge yet the toughness of the vehicle and professionalism of the participants persevered throughout the long journey,” VW said.