Has Seikels Amarok project already started prior to the launch of new VW trucks: on the Dakar rally 2010 Argentina/Chile the Hessian offroad specialist was in a kopmpletten baggage train of Amarok Begleitfahrzeugen with a double shock suspension. The experience in the hard rally mission find themselves now in a series product. But also elsewhere, Seikel has laid hands on the Amarok.
Particular specialty at Seikel is the chassis tag, for the Amarok Seikel has three solutions at hand. Best conversion is the set with longer front-axle springs and spacers for the rear axle suspension for 452 euro, including the package with 1.047 euro record suggests new dampers and pre-assembled front Struts. The Dakar proven package is designed for extreme applications. Special shock here with reservoir used (rear dual shock), which is significantly more robust than standard shock absorbers be and indemnify persist also multi-week ski trips. In addition, a new, enhanced shock image is mounted on the front axle and used modified spring seat. The price for the expeditions chassis is however abundant: 4.748 euro are available in the list.
The high-altitude lapping to 25 mm, which was complemented by new AT tires 245 / 70-17 in the test car is all chassis together. The gums are about three inches higher than the Amarok series tyres and thus bring additional 15 mm air under the keel.
New ALU cover the loading area
Developed for the big tour: the new tonneau cover from aluminium corrugated plate with welded aluminium frame - permanently load up to 100 kg absorbs it also Ersatzrader, roof tents or tool and protects the equipment on the back of verstaute. Seikel is particularly stoz however on the latest accessories: an intake snorkel to the altitude lapping of the air intake. It increased not only the wading depth, but it is to populate for extremely dusty environments with a cyclone pre-filter. The pride in your scuba stems less from the expensive material - the part is shaped carbon fiber - but by the successful acceptance Volkswagen: all tags offered by Seikel, be tested at the factory and released by VW, which the full factory warranty is retained even after the conversion.
When a snorkel, which will provide much discussion in the management of the guarantee in the event of a breakdown, the work release is not to be underestimated. In the form of (sundteuren) carbon fiber Schnorchels (from 1,178 euro), there will be also a significantly cheaper conventional plastic version in the near future.
The test drive with the Seikel Amarok with the expensive double steamer landing gear takes only little difference to the production car to days. Hookloaders and spring behavior are comfortable, the lapping of the height is to feel nothing during normal driving. The only difference is the noise when at full durchgetretenem pedal the snorkel audibly inhaled.
Only if you give the spores to the pickup, the contrast is noticeable. The firmer led front axle provides a strammeres ride, the Amarok can be precisely to conduct. The - very good for a pickup - comfort at the rear remains at long amplitudes at the series level, the double shock keep the springs but committed in check. Rough bumps are better filtered, minimizes annoying pitch oscillations. The Seikel Amarok is good-natured when forced cornering and has no significant side tilt, the detention limit of AT tyres provides the framework of possible.
Without overly sporty driving, the increase in safety and stability is noticeably, as soon as the road is left. On loose surfaces, schlagloch gespickten paths and durchwurzelten forest paths, the landing gear with clean leadership, what it shows.
There are differences to the series Amarok at best by the coarse-grain AT profile in the site. The gain in ground clearance is offset in part by sophisticated rear underrun protection. But with the suitable quantum entanglement, short first gear, gear box and the rear axle lock the Amarok reflected already at the factory for a pickup truck perfectly. The Seikel conversion with the significantly more robust chassis, the hochgelegten air intake, and last but not least the large skid however is the certainty that that also rough treatment leaves no lasting impression on the car.
We think of the tags in the photo show in detail.
Bottom line: The tags of Seikel are designed not to show maximum effect. Other tuner make the Amarok on much larger tyres, use strong level of height and body lift. Rather, Seikels target groups are users who need to work with Amarok and want a targeted improvement of load-bearing capacity of pickups, without wanting to accept cuts in the factory warranty. This extensive development work with the official blessing of Volkswagen has also its price.
