Volkswagen Group Australia has applied a technical upgrade to its V6-powered Amarok utility range for the 2018 model year which increases its braked towing capacity by 500kg to 3.5t.

This now matches most of the German brand’s major competitors in the one-tonne ute segment, although at the moment it only applies to the three 4×4 dual cab variants offered with the 165kW/550Nm 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel and standard-fit eight-speed automatic transmission.

Four-cylinder versions and earlier versions of the Amarok V6 remain at 3,000kg.

Volkswagen says the increased capacity comes as a result of an engineering tweak to the Amarok’s rear step set-up, and the availability of a 3.5t-rated genuine VW towbar.

Pricing is unchanged, with the Sportline V6 starting at $55,490 plus on-road costs, the mid-series Highline positioned $4,500 further upstream at $59,990 and, at the top end, the Ultimate flagship starting from $67,990.

Faced with increasing competition from Mercedes with its forthcoming X-Class and Ford with its Australian-developed Ranger Raptor likewise due in 2018, VW has also signalled its intention to remain a leader in the one-tonne utility power stakes with a 190kW concept unveiled recently.

The Amarok Aventura Exclusive V6 show car emerged with a number of unique high-end elements but the headline act was, as VW described it, “a look at the future range-topping 3.0L TDI engine”.

The power output is up 25kW compared to the current model – and on par with the maximum output in the X-Class. No torque figure was provided, but VW did confirm that it was higher than the current 550Nm – the peak torque figure that Mercedes’ 3.0L V6 will offer at launch.