information supplied by: Performance Motor Media 14 June 2012
SAC Offers More Punch and Improved Drivability for VW Amarok 2.0 TSI
 
Steves Auto Clinic has an upgrade package for VW’s recently launched Amarok 2.0 TSI that not offers more punch, but also improves the drivability for less than R10 000. SAC is not known as the VW tuning specialists for nothing, what they have achieved with this new turbo petrol addition to VW range of bakkies is nothing short of impressive.
 
In standard trim the 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 claims. But it was found that the Amarok was slightly stronger than this when measured on their dyno, and this in turn returned some decent standard test numbers when the bakkie was independently road tested.
 
So extracting absolute maximum power was not high on their agenda when they tackled this project, they actually wanted to improve the low rpm and light throttle drivability and smoothness on this Amarok. A problem that has been picked already by many and is something that actual spoils what should be a very satisfying experience.
 
To tackle this problem they installed a Uni Q Chip ‘Power Plug’ to control all the fuel and boost related parameters while keeping them well within acceptable manufacturer safety specs. This unit plugs in and out as you deem necessary and involves no cutting into ECU wiring harnesses etc. They actually took away some boost and throttle sensitivity low down in the rev range and this transformed the Amarok into completely different and smoother 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 nobody minds a little extra power and torque either when required.
 
For this they 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 is fitting with this high end leisure vehicle from VW, but the new found performance is amazing.
 
All tuned and sorted, the now 138 kW / 350 Nm Amarok, (an improvement of 20 kW and 50 Nm) scorched to tested times that would humble many 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. The top speed limiter was moved for their own purposes and the SAC fettled Amarok went a whole lot better at a now limited 195 km/h instead of the factory 176 km/h, but their recommendation is to leave the standard limiter in place for road safety reasons.
 
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.
 
The SAC VW Amarok 2.0 TSI 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. This upgrade can be done in one working day and for detailed pricing and further information contact a branch near you or visit www.steves.co.za . 
 
Tested Stats
 

	VW Amarok 2.0 TSI	SAC Amarok 2.0 TSI
Power:	118 kW @ 3 800 - 5 500 rpm	138 kW @ 3 800 - 5 500 rpm
Torque:	300 Nm @ 1 600 - 3 750 rpm	350 Nm @ 1 600 - 3 750 rpm
0-100 km/h:	10.71 seconds	8.82 seconds
1/4 Mile:	17.39 seconds @ 126.29 km/h	16.37 seconds @ 136.02 km/h
1 Km:	32.40 seconds @ 156.96 km/h	30.23 seconds @ 170.12 km/h
60-100 3rd:	6.48 seconds	4.89 seconds
60-100 4th:	9.68 seconds	7.13 seconds
80-120 4th:	10.76 seconds	7.55 seconds
80-120 5th:	16.31 seconds	11.23 seconds
True Top Speed:	Limited to 176.97 km/h	Limited to 195.86 km/h

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