The new Volkswagen Amarok pick-up will make its first hotly anticipated UK showing this week at the 2011 Outdoors Show at the ExCel exhibition centre in London’s Docklands from 13-16 January.

Following the show, the Amarok will then start a nationwide tour, giving potential customers a chance to see and experience the vehicle in a series of static displays at Volkswagen van centres across the UK, before the first right-hand drive vehicles arrive in the spring.

Combining a robust pick-up with some clever bits of technology and what VW claims to be excellent fuel economy, the new four-door, double-cab pick-up has recently been honoured with the inaugural International Pick-up Award.

The Amarok can tow up to 2.8t and has the largest load dimensions in its class, with a load area of 2.52m sq (1,555mm long, 1,620mm wide, with width between wheel arches of 1,222mm). All models feature advanced technology and safety systems including electronic differential lock (EDL), anti-slip regulation (ASR), and electronic stabilisation programme (ESP), with hill-hold assist, hill descent control and off-road ABS designed to shorten stopping distances significantly on loose surfaces.

UK prices and specifications for the Amarok will be announced in the coming months. Contact your local Volkswagen van centre or call 0800 717131 for more information on the nationwide Amarok tour. And, if you want to catch the Amarok first and have an interest in all things outdoors, then why not go along to the Outdoors Show. Click here for ticket details.