In standard trim the VW Amarok 2.0 TSI is claimed to make 118 kW from 3 800 to 5 500 rpm, while its peak torque of 300 Nm is on call from 1600 to 3750 rpm as per the factory. |
But we found the Amarok to be slightly stronger than this when measured on our dyna and this gave us some decent standard test numbers when the bakkie was independently tested. |
So extracting the absolute maximum power was not high on our agenda when we tackled this project, we actually wanted to improve the low rpm and light throttle drivability and smoothness on this Amarok. |
A fact that has been picked by all the major media in South Africa when test driving the 2.0 TSI and a problem that actual spoils what should be a very satisfying experience in your brand new bakkie. |
To tackle this problem we installed a Uni Q Chip / Power Plug to control all the fuel and boost related parameters while remaining well within acceptable manufacturer safety specs. |
This Uni Q Chip / Power Plug unit plugs in and out as you deem necessary and involves no cutting into ECU wiring harnesses etc. |
We actually took away some boost and throttle sensitivity low down in the rev range and this transformed the Amarok into completely different and smooth driving bakkie while sacrificing no performance at the end of the day. |
This difference in drive has to be felt to be understood. |
You will question why the Amarok 2.0 TSI didn't come out like this in the first place. |
The cost of the upgrade is worth this improvement alone. |
But we also know that nobody minds a little extra power and torque either when required. |
For this we added an SAC in house 63mm performance exhaust option that is fitted from the turbo right the way to the back with some extra tuning higher up in the rev range. |
The sound now is crisp and by no means intrusive as fitting with the high end leisure vehicle from VW, but the new found performance is unbelievable. |
All tuned and sorted our now 138 kW (an improvement of 20 kW) and 350 Nm (an improvement of 50 Nm) Amarok scorched to tested times that would humble many 190 kW plus 4.0 litre V6 naturally aspirated offerings on the road today without having to pay the penalty of heavy fuel consumption these big capacity machines deliver. |
The 0-100 km/h dash was done in a mere 8.82 seconds, down from 10.71 seconds, the ¼ mile mark was crossed in 16.37 seconds, down from 17.39 seconds, the 1km mark was done at a massively improved 170.12 km/h, up from 156.96 km/h. |
We moved the top speed limiter for our own purposes and our SAC Amarok went a whole lot better at a now limited 195 km/h instead of the factory 176 km/h. |
It must be noted that we can offer this higher top speed option to our customers, but the state of electronics being what they are in these matters, doing this will cause your gear indicator to show that you are always in a gear lower than what you really are. |
Our recommendation, leave the standard limiter in place as we are not so sure that you would want to be driving around at such heady speeds on our local roads in a family leisure vehicle or even company work horse. |
Notably the in gear acceleration was vastly improved too, and this is the real test of a successful performance upgrade as most of your daily driving is done in gear and not just blasting away from the lights. |
Big chunks of time were taken off the standard figures and this translates into big differences on the open road and in the real world. |
That said and done, you can see now that the SAC VW Amarok is a whole lot better than standard version all through the rev range, it is also far better to drive on a daily basis and even uses less fuel now thanks to these improvements. |
For detailed pricing and further information, click here and find a SAC branch near you. |
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| VW Amarok TSI Performance Data |
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VW Amarok 2.0 TSI |
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SAC Amarok 2.0 TSI |
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| Power: |
118 kW @ 3 800 - 5 500 rpm |
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138 kW @ 3 800 - 5 500 rpm |
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| Torque: |
300 Nm @ 1 600 - 3 750 rpm |
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350 Nm @ 1 600 - 3 750 rpm |
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| 0-100 km/h: |
10.71 secs |
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8.82 secs |
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| ¼ Mile: |
17.39 secs @ 126.29 km/h |
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16.37 secs @ 136.02 km/h |
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| 1 Km: |
32.40 secs @ 156.96 km/h |
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30.23 secs @ 170.12 km/h |
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| 60-100 km/h (3rd): |
6.48 secs |
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4.89 secs |
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| 60-100 km/h (4th): |
9.68 secs |
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7.13 secs |
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| 80-120 4th: |
10.76 secs |
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7.55 secs |
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| 80-120 5th: |
16.31 secs |
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11.23 secs |
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| True Top Speed: |
Limited to 176.97 km/h |
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Limited to 195.86 km/h |
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