More power, economy and security for your Amarok

After months of testing and analysis, Steve’s Auto Clinic (SAC) has released its plug and play upgrade for the Volkswagen Amarok – ambitiously named the Mission Impossible (M:I) Amarok Upgrade.

It builds on SAC’s vast experience in upgrading the engine performance for all the popular South African bakkies, and on the company’s advances in programming several different performance maps onto one chip, which is plugged into the vehicle’s wiring system and can be unplugged at any time – in a matter of minutes.

Without damaging reliability, SAC has freed up around 28 percent more power and 22 percent more torque from the Amarok’s 2,0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine. This means, in its most powerful mode, the Amarok Bi-TDI kicks out 170 kW, up from 132 kW in standard form, and the torque sees a similar jump, from 420 Nm, to an impressive 515 Nm.

“People use their bakkies in different circumstances and for different reasons, so we decided to programme several different maps that allow the driver to select different power delivery options based on his needs,” says Stephen Fischer, founder of the SAC Group.

This includes a Security option, which renders the engine completely powerless. When selecting this mode, the driver can remove the in-cabin map selector and anyone trying to steal the vehicle will not be able to drive off in it.

Other programmed maps include a 4×4 and Caravan mode, which gives the Amarok maximum low-down. There is also a Fuel Consumption option, which shows an improvement that reflects closely to Volkswagen’s claim of 7,9 l/100 km combined fuel consumption in Standard mode.

Two extra maps are available on the M:I Amarok Upgrade. The one map preserves the standard specifications of the production model, while the Max Power and Throttle Boost setting unleashes all extra power from the Amarok’s engine.

For enthusiasts who would like to increase engine performance and efficiency even further, SAC has developed a brand-new 76 mm performance exhaust system specifically for the Amarok.

Each upgrade can be done by a specialist at any of the SAC branches countrywide, and the performance engineer at the branch will make sure that the installation is done correctly and that the power delivery is matched to the engine condition and age.