The Dark Label edition brings back a stealthier Amarok with black trim, upgraded tech, and a V6 turbodiesel
Volkswagen surprised absolutely no one today with the debut of yet another blacked-out special, this time applied to the Amarok pickup for Europe. Predictably, it stands out with – you guessed it – black accents everywhere and a lengthy list of standard kit. The new trim slots just beneath the PanAmericana.
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The truck follows the pattern of earlier Dark Label versions introduced in 2013 and 2017, continuing a theme that apparently resonates with Amarok buyers. Its mechanical twin, the Ford Ranger, also gets a similar treatment in Australia under the Black Edition badge.
How Dark Is Dark Enough?
VW is calling it an “all-black Amarok,” though buyers can, somewhat ironically, pick from three shades called Midnight Black Metallic, Bright Blue Metallic, or Dark Grey Metallic.
The 20-inch matte black alloys, Dark Label decals, and the usual parade of black trim pieces, including grille, skid plates, mirrors, B-pillars, side steps, door handles, rear bumper, and badging, do their best to sell the theme.
Further touches include tinted taillights, tinted windows, and a rear bar finished in matte black. Inside, the Ebony Black cabin pairs ArtVelours seat upholstery with Dark Label branding on the leather steering wheel and velour floor mats.
Standard equipment brings a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12-inch infotainment system, and matrix LED headlights.
What Powers it?
The Dark Label is offered with the familiar 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, producing 237 hp (177 kW / 241 PS) and 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) of torque in European specification. The engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD system, sending drive to all four corners.
At 5,350 mm (210.6 inches) long, this configuration of the Amarok offers a payload capacity of 1,090 kg (2,403 lbs) and a maximum towing limit of 3,350 kg (7,386 lbs), numbers that place it among the more capable pickups in its class.
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Volkswagen recently confirmed that plans for plug-in hybrid or fully electric Amarok variants are off the table for the current generation, leaving the turbodiesel as the mainstay for now.
How Much Does it Cost?
The Amarok Dark Label is already open for orders in Germany, priced from €68,468 ($79,700) including VAT. That positions it just below the top-tier PanAmericana, which starts at €73,739 ($85,800).
The Amarok Style remains the entry point at €64,499 ($75,000). For those eyeing the truck cap with sliding windows shown in the images, it’s listed as a €2,070 ($2,400) option.
In addition to the global Amarok built in South Africa alongside the Ford Ranger, Volkswagen continues to produce and sell an updated first-gen model produced and sold in South America.
In 2027, Volkswagen will unveil a different Amarok for South America riding on SAIC-sourced underpinnings and featuring a hybrid powertrain.
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Thanos Pappas, a product design engineer by trade, has been wading through automotive journalism for… Read full bio

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