Volkswagen has introduced yet another dark-themed special edition, this time applied to the Amarok pickup for the European market—an announcement that surprised virtually no one familiar with the brand’s recent design trends. As expected, this version embraces an extensive blacked-out aesthetic, accompanied by a generous amount of standard equipment. Positioned just below the PanAmericana trim, the new variant continues the legacy of earlier Dark Label editions launched in 2013 and 2017. These previous versions proved popular among buyers, and Volkswagen seems eager to continue offering the moody visual theme that Amarok customers apparently appreciate. Interestingly, the Amarok’s platform sibling, the Ford Ranger, receives a comparable treatment in Australia where it is sold as the Black Edition.
Although Volkswagen markets this new iteration as an “all-black Amarok,” customers do get a small degree of flexibility in exterior paint choices. Buyers can select from three finishes—Midnight Black Metallic, Bright Blue Metallic, and Dark Grey Metallic—though regardless of the body color, the truck retains its overwhelmingly dark styling elements. The package includes 20-inch matte-black alloy wheels, distinctive Dark Label decals, and a long list of black exterior components. These include the grille, skid plates, mirror caps, B-pillars, door handles, side steps, the rear bumper, and even the vehicle badging, all contributing to a cohesive shadowy appearance. Additional details such as tinted taillights, privacy glass, and a matte-black rear bar further reinforce the theme.
Inside, the cabin continues the dark motif with an Ebony Black interior highlighted by ArtVelours upholstery. Dark Label branding appears on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and on the velour floor mats, giving the interior a more special-edition feel. Volkswagen also equips this version with a generous amount of technology: a 12.3-inch fully digital driver display, a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen, and matrix LED headlights come standard.
Powering the Dark Label variant is a familiar 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 tuned to deliver 237 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque for European customers. It is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel-drive system capable of distributing power to all corners. Measuring 5,350 mm from nose to tail, this configuration allows the Amarok to carry up to 1,090 kg in its bed and tow as much as 3,350 kg—figures that place it firmly among the more capable mid-size pickups currently on sale.
Volkswagen has recently confirmed that both plug-in hybrid and fully electric Amarok versions are not planned for this generation, meaning the turbodiesel V6 will remain the primary power source for the foreseeable future. In Germany, the Amarok Dark Label is already available to order with a starting price of €68,468 including VAT. This positions it just under the more expensive PanAmericana trim, which begins at €73,739, while the Amarok Style continues to serve as the entry-level option at €64,499. The truck cap with sliding windows featured in official images is offered as an extra-cost accessory priced at €2,070.
Beyond the European model produced in South Africa alongside the Ford Ranger, Volkswagen also continues manufacturing an updated version of the first-generation Amarok for the South American market. Looking ahead, the company plans to introduce an entirely different Amarok for South America in 2027. This upcoming model will be based on underpinnings sourced from SAIC and is expected to incorporate a hybrid powertrain, signaling a more electrified future for that region’s lineup.